LONGBURN SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 4 August 1934, Page 3

LONGBURN SCHOOL

ANNUAL BALL HELD. CHILDBEN’S SPLENDID ITEMS. Tlio spirit of youth was to the fore at Longburn last night when one of the chief events of the year—tire school ball —was held. Past experience had led the parents and old pupils of the school to anticipate that the present scholars would present several spectacular numbers which would prove distinctly entertaining to the onlooker. Such duly materialised, for in addition to the more popular numbers usually associated with juvenile dances the children, who had trained assiduously under the direction of the headmaster, Mr C. C. Hills, and his staff, executed the various evolutions with a precision which indicated that great care had been exercised in their jrreparation, while they were seen to advantage in several special numbers wherein the same high standard of art was displayed. Proceedings were entered upon shortly after 7.30 o’clock with a _ grand march in which between 60 and 70 children took part, and although there was an absence of fancy dresses, this stipulation having operated for some years past, the multi-coloured dresses of the girls, together with the poke bonnets which they wore and the paper turbans worn by the hoys, ma.de quite a colourful scene with the hall decorations as a background. The grand march presented many unusual features, yet the children of varying ages executed the evolutions with a precision and certainty which was very pleasing and refreshing; indeed it was well worthy of emulation by others of less tender years. What was probably the outstanding feaure in a very varied programme was “Eastern Dance,” which embodied a series of rhythmic exercises, the happy unison and rhythm being such that the onlookers expressed their delight in no uncertain terms and an encore was demanded. The number was improvised by Mr Hills and, as its title indicated, it carried a distinctly Eastern air, the dancers poising and curtseying gracefully to the “potentate” who sat in state in the inner circle, the evolutions being executed while the perform- _ ers sang “Silver Moon.” The children held possession of the floor for approximately two hours, which were very full ones for them, their programme being divided into three groups—Folk dancing; old-time adult dancing, and improvised numbers. Included in the first group were such

well-knokn juvenile numbers as “Mountain 'March.” “Nuts in May,” “Let the Feet Go Tramp, Tramp.” “Lubin Loo,” “Merry-go-Round,” “On the Bridge of Avignon,” “Will You Please Be My Partner,” “The Grand Old Duke of York,” etc., while the thoughts of the parents were directed to the past by the presentation of those old-time dances La Rinka, Highland schottische, Berlin polka and Tasmanian waltz. Of the improvised numbers the Maypole Song Dance and Egypt in n Dance were particularly attractive, carrying as they did a particular grace which strongly appealed and, incidentally, spoke volumes for the teacher. The majority of the dances wore accompanied by songs, and -at an interval the senior classes rendered a most tuneful switch. For the children’s dances the music was provided by Mrs C. C. Hills (piano), who was given excellent support by Mr C. Shirriffs (mandolin and whistle) and Mr F. Hearsey (drums). At 9.30 the children gave over the floor to the adults, and they marched into the supper room where they were entertained at supper, while impromptu concert items was presented as a fitting close to the. evening. Meantime a professional orchestra had taken over and dancing was carried on by the adults, who were present in large numbers, until a late hour. Messrs C. C. Hills and W. Aldersley acting as M.C’s. At a suitable juncture Mr J. Callesen, chairman of tlio committee, took the opportunity to thank all the willing workers who had assisted towards making the function such an outstanding success, and complimented the headmaster and his staff on the high state of proficiency to which they had brought the children of all ages. The speaker also paid a high tribute to the musical assistance given by Mrs Hills which had made possible much which would otherwise have been unattainable. Mr Callesen touched upon the difficult task which at present confronted school committees in maintaining their old standard through the reduced allowance made them by way of capitation, and thanked the residents for the ready support they had always given the school. Although it was experiencing a decreasing roll number, the evening had made it apparent that it was still possible for the headmaster to present a splendid effort.

The customary competition in connection with the selling of tickets for the gathering resulted in M. Oliver securing the first award with o. Pleus second and J. Moffatt third.