ANNUAL SCHOOL FESTIVAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 44, 4 January 1864, Page 3

ANNUAL SCHOOL FESTIVAL.

If anything more tlitin.another evidences a high moral tone m a community it is the reeard paid to the training of youth; 'and in. this respect tho good citizens of Auckland show a more than ordinary solicitude. It was with feelings of no common pleasure that we witnessed, oii Friday last, the vast concourse of children assembled m the beautiful grounds of the Domain, which could not have been less than from l<loo to 1500, composed of the High-street, Hobson-street, U hsiu road, and Parnell Weslevan schools, St. 1 aid s Lpiseonal school, aud the two Ragged schools. In addition to these were numerous. picnic parties, and friends and parents of the children, swelling the numbers in the grounds to near On reaching the Domain theWeslcyan school sang the simple but beautiful hymn beginning, Again wo meet to bless tho day "When first nwnmWed here, Our steps were taught the narrow way, Our hearts tho Lord to fear and their musical mid jubilant voices found a response in every heart. Pleasure was the firm resolve of all. and nature was in unison with the pervading fooling, for the day was of the most delightful kind—clear bright sunshine, with a cool refreshing breeze. For the children refreshments were most abundant, and beneath the grateful shade of trees, swings, cricket, and all the sports which have a charm for youth, were provided for them. On Saturday the same attractive scene was repeated, but on a smaller scale, when the schools of the Presbyterian and Independent Churches wore treated to their annual festival. Innocent sports of every imaginable kind were enthusiastically indulged in, and continued until 4 o'clock, when the first notes of tho band of the 50th Regiment suddenly brought all to a close, —boys dropping their b"ats ; the dance was abandoned, and deserted swings gradually sought the centre of gravity, as this greater attraction presented itself. The grounds became a general assemblage of delighted listeners, and the festivities were thus brought to a most harmonious close.