PATEAROA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XL, Issue XL, 30 June 1911, Page 3

PATEAROA.

, (By Our Own Correspondent). Our contribution to the ganeral re • joicings on Coronation Day left us with a clear conscience- Shortly after midday, in a steady rain, there was begun a sports programme which lasted until dusk, and out of which the more athletic of the rising generation extracted both honor and cash. When the shades of eve were falling fast," the appetites of the crowd had an opposite tendency, and on an adjourn ■ | ment being made to the hall, what a sight there was! Long rows of tables covered with snow-white cloths, sparkling silver, stepl, China, and glassware, flowers, evergreens, ribbons, and flags, and last and best, a vast quantity of the finest edibles, from the royal turkey downwards. The tables were served by white-aproried ladies who were pleased when you allowed them to heap your plate, and who fairly beamed when you accepted their pressing invitation to have"" some more." My wordj By this time the rain had ceased, and a slight but very cold and frosty breeze nipped the ears of the specta tors at the fireworks display which followed. The rockets, etc., were manipulated by Mr R; M. Taylor, who is an expert operator, but the coloured fire-balls, Catherine wheels, starsmashers and whistling rockets, al • though brilliant and productive of admiring ob's! were separated by

rather longish intervals for snch a low temperature, and, with the tables removed, seats were taken for a musical and elocutionary evening. Mr P. M'Atamnev was in the chair. Every, body who had courage or ability enough was expected to contribute an item, and some hitherto unsuspected talenl was discovered. We had a splendia time. Songs were given by Mrs Stewart, Miss M'lvor,. Misses Kennedy, M'Skimming' and- Lusher (trio), «nd Messrs Lloyd, M'Atamriey, Stewart, T. and J. Johnston, E. Carr, A. M'Skimming, M'Kenzie and Duffy; recitations by Messrs J. Thurlow and A. Miliar, speeches by Rev. Moody and Mr J. Crerar, and Mr John Cogan, sen., capped his i-raile walking championship at .Gabriel's dancing a vigorous Irish Jig.. A lot of amusement was g-t out of the endeavours of blindfold artißts to depict a pig on the blackboard, while a guessing competition (prize 10s) as to the stopping time of a watch was won by Mr T. Gibbon, who beat Mr R Stewart by a tick or two The accompaniments were played by Mrs Gibbon, Misses Ridland, Johnston and M'Donald, and Mr Taylor. A dance was kept up for some hours afterwards, the music being supplied by Mr T. Duffy (violin) and Miss M'Donald (piano), helped by Misses Anderson and Johnston (piano).

On Friday, the competition amongst the boy scouts for a watch (value 20s) and a silver chain took place, under the master and instructor, Mr Taylor, the picking up and following-up of a trail, Morse signalling,knot-tying, etc, etc> were included in a comprehensive trial of the boys' abililties, and, after a> very interesting contest, a difference of one point only separated Masters Emmett M'Atamriey and Barclay Hall, the former getting the watch and chain, and the, latter a prize of 7s 6d. The second prize boy was strong in the Red Indian department, while the intricate knots and splices presented less difficulty to the first prize boy than to any other. Mr M'Atamney's enthusiasm and energy are to a great extent responsible for the inception and prosecution of the idea of a grand gala day on the 22nd, and the many who enjoyed the proceedings owe him hearty thanks. Mrs M'Atamney and Mrs Schrick were also enthusiastic workers, and, together with others who helpedY are deserv • ing of much credit. Coronation, medals were presented to all the children. The watch and chain mentioned were presented for competition by Mr Hislop, watchmaker; Dunedin,and that gentleman increased his kindly gift/by the presentation of a large quantity of cloth streamers, etc., for decoration purposes. ■■; -