MARAETOTARA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 284, 16 November 1923, Page 5

MARAETOTARA.

(Owm Correspondent-) SCHOOL BALL. The Maraetotara School held its annual fancy dress ball in Hart’s woolshed on Friday last in aid of the prize fund. The shed was nicely dqqqjated with greenery and coloured paper, making a gay transformation. Mrs Dunn’s orchestra supplied excellent music, and Mr Hart and Mrs Orton Field carried out the duties of M’s.C. There was a record attendance, many visitors coming from Hastings and Waimarama. The children's dancing opened with the grand march, which was a very pretty scene, the children looking gay and picturesque in their many coloured fancy dresses. Mrs and Miss Hart kindly donated first prizes to the best boy and girl in fancy costume. Gwen Field (butterfly) and Bob Ward (clown) being successful. Mrs Williams donated the second prizes, these going to May Williams (merry-go-round) and Martin Hart (Puck). Several other prizes were donated by visitors. At Mr Tu Brightwell’s request all those in fancy dress were asked to parade the room, and prizes were given by Mr Brightwell to Roland Field (Indian Prince) and Miss Gill (Maori Maid). Mr Simmonds (Hastings) gave a second prize to Miss Jean Mac Lennon (Persian Princess;), whilst Mr Gloyn (Hastings) gave a prize to each of the two smallest children, Patty Hart and Edna Bennett. Mr D. Riggir (chairman), in presenting the first prizes to the school children, spoke of the splendid work done during the year by the teacher (Mrs Picken) who, it is to be regreted - is leaving at the end of the year, to return to England. Mr Riggir called for cheers for Mrs Picken, which were lustily given. Mr Picken responded on Mrs Picken’s behalf, and thanked ail present for their kind remarks. Mr Orton Field thanked the visitors for coming so far to attend, which all helped considerably to make the school function such a big success. The Waimarama visitors had been most generous, and he wished to thank Mrs Brightw’ell for a gift of £2 towards the prize fund. Hearty cheers were called for the many kind donors, and the children ended by singing “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” Mr Joe Gillies was the next to give a very happy speech, saying how plpased he and his party from Waimarama were to be amongst them all that evening, and he reminded the gathering once again that the Maraetotara settlers did not possess a big enough hall in which to hold their increasingly popular dances, but, said Mr Gillies: “You are most welcome to use the Waimarama Hall, just any time you wish-” (Cheers). Mr Field thanked Mr Gillies, on behalf of the Maraetotara settlers for this kindness, and hoped that before long they would be able to take advantage of thei generous offer, and have a united and friendly Maraetotara-Waimarama dance. (Cheers). During the evening several of the school children delighted the audience with several items. Some of the smallest children took part in a quaint country dance, which gained much applause, and Mrs Picken is to be congratulated on the result, as this was was their first public exhibition. Supper was served to the children at 10 o’clock and afterwards to the adults. The latter afterwards occupied the floor, and dancing was continued and much enjoyed until 3 a.m. Mr Picken, who kindly took over the duties of secretary and treasurer, says that the fund has benefited substantially, but he cannot yet say the exact amount, as the money is not till in.