NOVEL XMAS TREAT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4366, 8 December 1950, Page 3

NOVEL XMAS TREAT

PACKED HALL AT MARAMARUA WOMEN’S INSTITUTE AFFAIR A novel Christmas treat for local children was organised by the Mara-niarua-Kopuku Women’s Institute recently, when a Punch and Judy show took place. The hall was packed to capacity, adults enjoying the entertainment, almost as much as the children.

Mr Martin, of Takapuna, produced the show and the children eagerly followed Mr Punch’s experiences from the first moment when he and Mr Scaramouche quarrelled’ over a balloon, which finally burst with a loud bang. The other characters to appear were Mr Scaramouche’s dog that would not bark, Mr Punch’s wife, Judy, and the baby, which he threw away, causing the arrival of a policeman, on whom Punch burned the tables; the hangman he huTig in his own noose; and Di Mac was packed in the box he brought for Punch’s body. Next to arrive was the ghost which scared the hero, but was afterwards beheaded by him. Lastly came Satan, a fearsome object with his pitchfork, with which he pinned Mr Punch, telling him he was dead, but the hero delighted his audience by saying, “That’s what you think,” and promptly threw him out, remaining on top to the very end, to the particular delight of all the small boys in the front row. A ventriloquist figure took the stage vacated by Punch and told the children there was something else in store and disappeared. Mr Martin then commenced wizardry display, bursting a balloon, from which sprang a line of cards saying “Good evening.” A magical tie that kept, bobbing up at unexpected moments, a dozen large silk handkerchiefs of every hue appearing from nowhere, the disappearing milk shake and Peter Rabbit in his hard-knocker hat, all had everyone mystified. In answer to a call for an assistant for one trick, John Heaven sportingly went up on the stage. A lad clad in school shorts and flannels, he was amazed when the magician put his hand to the open neck of his shirt and pulled out a long t string of sausages and then went on with John’s assistance to do a clever card trick. Lastly came Oscar, whom Mr Martin called the disreputable ventriloquist, and his quips were greatly enjoyed, especially when his master said he was making a fool of him, to which Oscar replied “That he never interfered with nature.” The final trick was done with string and velvet, which when opened out said, “Goodnight.” Mr Martin thanked his audience for their attention. All agreed that it had been a good show. Almost immediately Father Christmas arrived, proceeding to the stage, where every child was given a bag of sweets and a balloon. After his departure a delicious supper was served, with the ever popular cordials for the children; Two * competitions for a‘ peggy square rug and box of chocolates were won by Mesdames Hodder and F. Symes. The presentation of gifts to institute babies of the year took place, those receiving parcels being Babies Blake, Manning, Carmichael, Lornie, Cummins and Heaven.