Hokowhitu School Sets New Gala Day Standard

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 289, 7 December 1936, Page 5

Hokowhitu School Sets New Gala Day Standard

COLOURFUL PROCESSION HELD. A now standard in gala days was set by the Hokowhitu school on Saturday and tho remarkable success which attended the effort must have been sufficient reward for those ladies and gentlemen who organised the function, apart from the financial benefits that will accrue to the school. In all functions of this sort the chief difficulty is to draw public patronage. Thero aro always a large number of parents who win willingly contribute goods and even cash for the purchase of saleable, products with which to fit out the stalls, but what are these if there are no people to buy? And so it was decided to try out a procession that would end at the school, drawing in its wako the interested public. It was a big undertaking for the school committee realised that a procession must be a good one it if has to hold the attention of tTTe people for long. Fathers and mothers of the boys and girls started to prepare weeks and woeks ago and their efforts culminated on Saturday with a turn out that must rank as one of the best seen in the city for many years. Some there were who held that the procession for colour and effect even eclipsed that seen when the city celebrated its jubilee a year or two back. Headed by the Manawatu Highland Pipe Band, the decorated vehicles proceeded round the Square and then back past the Oyera House from where it had started, up Church street and down Victoria avenue to Milverton park. At this point another surpriso awaited tho spectators for here boys and girls of the school with decorated prams, Dicycles and other trolley arrangements, with the owners themselves in fancy costume, joined the head of tho procession and proceeded on to tho school. As they passed through tho ranKs of the on lookers, the children scattered flower petals which fell on to the roadway like coloured confetti. Six or seven of the lorries were decorated by tho school committee and helpers to represent various fiowers and the finished setting was strikingly colourful in each case. Trades people responded willingly for assistance and provided a number of decorated vehicles. Then both the Garrison Band and City Silver Band had a place in tho procession, contributing march music along the route. Bather Christmas was also there distributing balloons 'that were carried away by fho breeze and gave the children a great chase as well as a lot of fun. In the rear came bucking Lizzie, the antics of this nondescript petrol performer providing a laughable climax. The public followed and soon the spacious school grounds were thronged and business at the stalls exceedingly brisk. In fact purchasers were packed two deep at times. Those in charge of the stalls were as follows: Produce, Mesdames W. Cooper and C. O’Brien; cakes, Mesdames J. H. Taylor and A. E. Stephens; ice cream 3 and sweets, Mesdames J. Larsen and A. T. Bedingfiefild; sewing, Mesdames L. Davis and P. Bee; novelties, Mrs. J. B. Fleck; tea rooms, Mesdames Cox and Crowther. The members of the men’s committee had charge of the shooting gallery, darts, race games, flying boats, etc. There were also many others assisting. Mr. P. E. Crowther had charge of the cash box while at the head of ail was the indefatigable chairman, Mr. S. F. Collier, who must have been a Very proud man. During the afternoon thero were dancing exhibitions by the pupils of Miss June Scott .and Miss Gwen Gihbs while Messrs L. J. Plank (headmjfcer) and Melville judged the baby jjßnvs and Mesdames Mansford and adjudicated in the decoration

Competitions. Jt The gala was officially opened by the Mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford. Mr. Collier first of all introduced to the gathering, Mrs. H. S. Harrod, head of the ladies’ committee, and spoke eulogistically of her work on behalf of the gala, remarks which were approved by applause. Mr. Collier stated that tho ladies’ committee had accomplished a great deal as could be seen in the decorated lorries displayed by tho school. He hoped the parents would show their appreciation of what the ladies’ committee had done by purchasing liberally at the stalls. Tne chairman then introduced Mrs. Man.v ford and spoke of her interest in all functions in which children took part. He then introduced Mrs. Plank whose whole heart was in the welfare of the boys and girls. Finally he introduced Mr. Plank and then tho Mayor.

Mr. Hansford endorsed the chairman’s remarks about the way the ladies’ committee had worked and added that Mr. Collier must take Ins share of the credit for the success of the procession and gala, Speaking to the boys and girls, Air. Alansford said he hoped they would thinK always of the example they were setting. Some were destined to lead and some to follow and to those who were among the followers, he would ask, why were they following'? To both leaders and followers he would say were they trying to Eve up to the high ideals set them while at school. The followers wero possibly following the line of least resistance but to keep to that road always would weaken their characters. It was by overcoming difficulties that boys and girls improved mentally and physically. He urged them always to remember their school and concluded by wishing them a merry Christmas and happy New Year. Cheers were given for the Mayor and Mayoress and Mrs. Mansford was presented with a bouquet of roses and Christmas lilies by little Shona Alelvillc.

It was unfortunate that rain set in later in the afternoon but by that time at least one stall had sold out. The others were moved into the school while the evening’s business was transacted. The boxing had to be abandoned. Competition results were as follows:

Baby show—Under G months, Yvonne Howe T; under 12 months, Marion Bailey 1; under 18 months, David Hannah.

Eoad Cycle Eacc, under AI.A.C., over 10 miles.—O. Campbell (3min.) 1, P. Holbert (2mins.) 2, Planning (2mins) 3. Fastest time, Eogers (26mins. 20secs). The prizes were donated by Alessrs Millar & Giorgi, K. Currin and Simpson and. Co.. There were 11 starters and.the

officials were Messrs J. Bush (handicapper and starter), Tingey, G. Little, and Stagpoole (judges).

Tricycles: Joy Medway 1, Gretchen Tavlor 2.

Trolleys: Bussell Harwood 1, Trevor Collier 2.

Boys’ cycles: Alex McLeod 1, Billy Hannah 2; special, Ken Smart. Girls’ cycles: Julie Dean 1, Verna Kingsbeer and Dorothy Drake equal 2. Prams: Nona Bell 1, D. Gardner 2; SDCcial, Noelene Starnes.