Good Luck To Springfield

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1939, Page 2

Good Luck To Springfield

Springfield is not a very big district: but Springfield knows a thing or two. It knows, for instance, that the Centennial Holiday Scheme offers great opportunities to young ;J ,Northlanders, and' it knows that Springfield will not be left out. In addressing a gathering at the school last Saturday, the teacher, Mr Turnbull, gave solemn warning. “If,” he said,” you have bottles at home that you want for some future use; if you have jam-jars, or other saleable things with which you do not wish to part, then place them all under lock and key within the next twentyfour hours.”

“Why?” the Princess wondered. It was obvious that Springfield are on the warpath. A bottle drive is due to commence immediately, and boys .and giris no doubt have other schemes, too; of raising finance. Five pounds,'they know, is needed before one representative can be selected; but Springfield believes in aiming high. V"; -Vr ... There’s no doubt that grown-ups will help. They did on Saturday night.

And that, really, is where our story commences. Springfield opened its account with a combined picture evening and dance in the school room. It’s not the first time that Percy P. has been - to Springfield, and there was no mistaking the welcome. Because this year’s programme is not complete—we’re still waiting to finish, the mysterious picture you read about in the page not so long ago—there was a little difficulty in filling in the full time.

But Springfield were very interested in a film we had showing Mata calf club parade last year, part of last year’s Winter Exhibition, our dog Kim, Tapuhi’s sports day, and last, but not least, the S.P. We let Springfield into the secret of the picture we are taking, though it’s not yet completed. Believe me they enjoyed it and remarks we overheard were particularly complimentary. H.Q. is turning into Hollywood again in the very near future; then

cur picture will be completed, and ready for everybody to see.

The pictures were interspersed with items, among them two exceptionally effective examples of choral speaking. Undoubtedly the star item was a recitation by seven-year-old John Whittle.

Not only did John recite his piece in a big, clear voice, but he also made up the poem —all by himself. It was a very nice poem, too. John has promised to send it in for us to print in the “Young Northlander” At the conclusion of the pictures Kupe outlined the Centennial Holiday Scheme, and Mr Turnbull said it was the object of Springfield to raise sufficient funds to send at least one boy or girl from the district to the Centennial Exhibition.

From the applause his remarks received it is obvious that the object is a popular one. Springfield can do things if it tries, and try it will In this case!

Music for dancing was supplied by a portable gramophone, and by an accordeon played by Mr Carter, chairman of the school committee, and another gentleman. Mr Turner was M.C.

There’s one thing we learned at Springfield—that it is not right to dance on a Sunday, but that it is perfectly all right to eat supper early on a Sunday morning! Sounds perfectly reasonable, too. It accounted for a special supper being provided for the Princess and me. We simply could not wait till the dance had ended because the S.P. was at home, and we know what a trial and tribulation he can be to our friends!

Regretfully we left Springfield folk while they were still enjoying their dancing. Three things impressed us most— John Whittle’s verse, the happy spirit that prevails in the district, and the certainty that Springfield will work with a will until Christmas in order that the greatest possible number of their young people may benefit by the unique opportunities offered in the Kupe Club's Centennial- Holiday Scheme.

Cheerio to our friends at Springfield, and good luck in the campaign!