PUPILS’ GREAT DAY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 124, 11 May 1935, Page 6

PUPILS’ GREAT DAY

Mahora Jubilee Festivities

HUMOROUS BURLESQUES

Mahora School children will well remember the King’s Jubilee. “Hardup” costumes were worn by teachers as well as children, and when, the bell rang at 9 o’clock over 600 pupils paraded in their areas in the quadrangle with their pets dn leads, for th 0 reception of their distinguished visitors. The excellent attendance of parents and friends encouraged the teachers and pupils in their jovial efforts.

The headmaster (Mr E. Bissell), representing a typical British workman, mounted the rostrum to receive and introduce to the citizens of Mahora their distinguished visitors, who arrived in state by motor. The following were then introduced; Sister Phyllis (Miss Macdonald) and Sister Edna (Miss Eglinton), Madame Malaprop (Miss Epps), the butcher’s wife (Miss Oxenham), Miss Granny Smith (Miss Pownall), the chauffeur (Miss Donnelly). In turn these were embraced and welcomed by the “British workman.’’ Then honours were given to the Earl of Rose (Mr Rose), Sir Harry Sassoon, police superintendent (Mr Priestley)’ Dr. Aspro, the noted surgeon (Mr Hepburn), the Count of Zambuk (Mr Lassen), the Marquis of Wisdom (Air Wise), and the Count of PowWski (Air Cornes).

These visitors, who were officials for tho day, then took their places, and led by the “British workman” on his decorated charger, Night, the grand parade marched to the beat of arums to the spacious playground for thennovelty events. The pete’ race created a lot of fun and after a keen finish was won by Gordon Howard and Betty Samson. The burlesque football match among the four houses caused great excitement, and the outrageous decisions by the referee, the Earl of Rose, added to the hilarity of the games. During the progress of the matches the nurses, Zambuk, Dr. Aspro, and stretcherbearers (Marquis of Wisdom and attendant Viscount Broome) were kept busily engaged, and surgical operations were carried out on the field of play. Owing to the players leaving the field on protest no award was made. The Russian Count Powleski took charge of the burlesque basketball, and notwithstanding his reputation a s a referee, his decisions were challenged by the spectators. Casualties in these games were promptly attended to, but the medical corps wae kept busy owing to tho hard play of these Amazons. A handsome silver cup (half ’ globe mounted), given by the Education Board, was presented to the captain of Gold House. The tug-of-war (seven girls and seven boys from each house; was taken rather seriously, and caused a furore, a b parents and friends barracked and yelled for their respective houses. The final pull between Red and Gold was of such a strenuous nature that after a pull of almost one minute a draw was decided upon. A move was now made to the quadrangle in front of the school, where the infants, under Miss Satchel! and Misses Pownall and Eglinton, entertained with tolk-dancing and action songs. Mrs McDonnell and Miss D’Ath, assisted by Sir Harry Sassoon, then carried out a championship skipping contest for pupils of Stds. 1 and 2, the winner being Naida Cameron.

The Mayor and Mayoress, arriving by car, received a rousing welcome from the hundreds assembled, and were conducted to the dais amid loud cheering. There the “British workman’’ (E. Bissell) presented his distin. guished visitors to the Mayor and Mayoress.

His Worship then gave an inspiring address to all, particularly the children, after which the pupils, parents and friends sang the National Anthem and saluted the flag. The march past of tho houses, for the banner presented by Mrs C. Lassen for house competition, then took place. Each house, moving with steadiness and precision, marched out of the quadrangle under tho pergola on to the road, and in turn marched past His Worship the Mayor, who was the judge lor this event. Mr Maddison com mented in a very complimentary manner of the high standard of marching, and awarded first place to Red House, under the leadership of Miss Epps and Mr Priestley. The final event, “lunch,” was then announced, each pupil receiving a wellfilled bag containing three courses and sweets, and dessert. The ladies’ social committee, who organised the dainty lunches given to the children, deserves special mention lor its work.