Children's Night At Town Hall Is Great Success

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1942, Page 3

Children's Night At Town Hall Is Great Success

No patriotic carnival week would be complete without a function for the younger members cf the community—the children—and last night’s fancy dress ball, attended by literally hundreds of children and their parents, filled the bill completely in this respect.

Between £6O and 1 £7O was realised, from the function. Well before 7 o’clock crowds commenced to gather outside and inside the Whangarei Town Hall. At the hour everyone poured into the hall for the commencement of activities. First of all the tiny tots were marshalled into place for their Grand March. To the music of the Whangarei Silver Band, under the baton of Mr. J. Dobson, they were marched around the hall. The variety and originality displayed in their costumes was something to behold. Diminutive representatives of the army, the navy and the air force were there, among a host cf small people, some of these dressed as members of the Allied races. The multi-coloured costumes, brilliant and picturesque made a most impressive spectacle.

Independent Tendencies Independent tendencies ,»t a very early age were displayed by more than one tcddler of about three years of age, who wanted to make an inspection of the other- children. These few little ones displaying early initiative separated themselves from the throng, wandered into the centre cf the floor and slowly walked around' in the opposite direction to the rest of the entrants in the grand march. Teachers and other helpers tried to cajole them to join the ranks again, but it seemed that these young people had their own ideas about wnat they wapted to do. Round and round the children marchecV t and the judges for the best costumes, Mesdames H. P. Conyers Brown, St. C. Jounneaux and Reg. Kay, had a most difficult task to pick out the outstanding competitors. However, they were finally able to sort out the winners, who were later lined up at the dais to receive their prizes from Lieu-tenant-Colonel H. P. Conyers-Brown. Following the tiny tots came the seniors’ Grand March, and again originality and novelty was shown in their various costumes. Members of the forces were prevalent, and representatives of the Allies were not out of the picture. From the stage the scene of hundreds of children dressed in many dazzling coloured costumes, picturesque and novel, was one that will be 'ioiig remembered by many. Again the judges’ task was not an easy one, but eventually the winners were picked and they too received their prizes later in the evening. Merriment Caused Dances and games were then enjoyed by the children who entered into the spirit of the fun as only children can. “Musical Flops” drew much amusement from the large number of parents in the hall. The children were termed up in a large circle ana to music commenced to march around the hall. Without warning the music would stop abruptly and fixe contestants’ immediate aim would be to become seated in the least possible time. The manner in which they arrived at a seated position within a split secom. of the instant the music stopped was bfcth amusing and entertaining. The lasi two competitors synchronised their actions for some time and two prizes were awarded to them. Upstairs, a Punch and Judy Show, arranged by Mrs. T. Griffin, attracted many youngsters. Supper, in charge of members of the W.D.F.U., was served to the children who, as was to be expected, did full justice to it. Master of ceremonies for the evening was Mr. Len Cocke, while Mr. A. F. Larcnmbe, of Onerahi. assisted by several teachers, was in charge of ’S'-e children, dren. Prize-Winners The following were prize-winners for costumes: — Tiny Tots—Girls: Prettiest costume, Valerie Bently (Fairy) 1, Elizabeth Ruff (Yellow Fairy) 2, most original costume, Lorraine Beatson (Spider) 1, Rita Kosivich (“Don’t Talk”) 2. Boys’ section: Best dressed boy. Barry Thompson (Jockey) 1, M. Price (Airman) 2; most original costume, “Uncle Sam” 1, “V for Victory” 2. Seniors.—Girls: Prettiest costume, Joan Mcllraith (Shepherdess) 1, Jean Johnson (Blue Fairy) 2; most original costume, G. Morrison (Grandma) 1, M. Anton (Weetbix) 2. Boys’ sections: Best dressed bov, M. Eades (Court Prince) .1. John Marrer (White Rajah) 2; most original costume, B. Goodhue (Chinese Coolie) 1. D. Perkins (Butcher) 2. Best poster girl.—l. Cullen (Bvasso) 1. Tiny tots: Beverley Twidle 1. Mary Wilson 2. * , . . Special prizes wore awardee, to t. Fleming and Terry Tracey. A competition for a teddy bear was won bv Dennis Tlenwood. The whole function, which was organised by the Junior Women’s Emcrgene Corps,'went off without, a hitch from start to finish and the smoothness win: which it was conducted was a credit to tlic organisers. Music was supplied free by Messrs. C. Wright, R. Shaw and R. Lockic.