LAKE DISTRICT SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5627, 28 November 1879, Page 5

LAKE DISTRICT SCHOOL.

Yesterday evening the formal opening of a new school-house, in the Lake district, was the occasion of a very pleasant and, notwithstanding the very stormy and unpropitious weather, well-attended entertainment. (J wing to the threatening state of the weather, the moonlight excursion by the steamer Tainui did not come off, and the visitors from Auckland had to go by Mr. Quick's coaches from Devouport. These ran every hour, as advertised, and were packed outside and inside. Those who braved the weather were well rewarded by the very warm reception which awaited them at the school-house, from Mr. Seaman, Miss Seaman (the teacher of the school), and others of the committee. Punctually at six o'clock those present sat down to a very elegantly laid out - tea, at five tables, presided over by tho following ladies : — Mrs. Whitaker, Mi?; Mary O'Neill, Miss Mackay, Mrs. Meatyard, Mrs. D. Mackay, Mrs. Seaman, Mra. Menary, Mra. H. Dacre, Mrs. Poynter, and Mxb. Warmoll. < wing to the late arrival of poiae of the visitors, it was half-past 7 before the tables were cleared away, and the concert began. Mr. Seaman, who had been requested to take the chair, opened the concert by a few prefatory remarks. He reminded many of those present of the last occasion on which they had met together, about twelve months ago, when they had a concert in the Roman Catholic College, for the benefit of the Lako district library. He then made np his mind never to rest until they had got a room or hall of their own, and now he was glad to say they had succeeded. For this handsome building they were greatly indebted to the Board of Education ; and also their thanks were due to Mr. Ireland, their neighbour, for having allowed them to select the site, which they had paid for, however, themselves. He thought the school house was an ornament to the neighbourhood, and he hoped that by regular attendance on the part of the children and by their satisfactory progress, it would indeed, as a school, and not merely as a buildiog, be a credit not only to the district but to the teacher. The concert was now proceee'led with as follows: —A pianoforte overture by the Missts Whitaker. Song by Mr. A. E. Brook. "Tell me, where do fairies dwell?" by the Missea Howard, two young ladies from Aucklaud, whose voices harmonised very sweetly, and who were loudly applauded. " Floating on the Wind," a song by Miss Mays, of the North Shore, who had a very powerful, and yet very sweet, voice. The Rev. Mr. Bates, of Devonport, delivered a brief address, in which he advocated a change in the present system of education, which he considered (Infective, lie wanted to have introduced moral training—not simply as to punctuality, obedience, cleanliness —but lessons on honesty, truthfulness, and perseverance; and said that, from indications at home, there was every prospect of such a change as that which he was advocating. He congratulated the people of the Lake district in the possession of euch a handsome and commodious school-house, and was sure that, through the very conscientious teaching of the amiable and accomplished teacher, Mise Seaman, it would prove a benelit to the district. Song, "The Arab Steed," by Mr. Brook. Duet, "Very Suspicious," by Miss Wyles and Mr. Hammond. The clever and spirited manner in which this humorous duet was roudered cannot be too highly praised. It was a capital piece of acting throughout, and, deservedly, was warmly applauded. Song, by Mr. Hammond; "Home, Sweet Home," by two little s»irls, pupils of Miss Seaman, on whose tuition they reflected the lighest credit by their performance on the piano ; " Two Hoses," a glee, by the Orpheus Club ; " The Chapel," a glee, by the Orpheus Club ; a brief address by the Rev. A. M. McCallum, of the Lake district Presbyterian Church; " Lucrezia Borgia," a pianoforte solo, by Mis 3 E. Smith ; a moat exquisite piece of fine executioa. Thii lady is the organist of the Devonport Episcopal Church. " Good-night," by the Mioses and Mr. Hammond; "Beauteous Cloud," gleo, by the Orpheus Club ; "Thy Face," a song, by Miss Mays ; glee, by the Orpheus Club. "The Skipper and Boy," a beautiful song, sung with great feeling and expression by Miss Seaman. After this the National Anthem closed the concert ; and the younger portion of the audience, who were by the way by far the majority, and who had been impatiently waiting for the time to " trip on the light fantastic toe" to arrive, at once set to work to clear away the benches and tables. By the time the co-ichfs started with the Auckland party, who had to catch the last steamer at the North Shore, the dancers were no doubt in the third heaven of delight. The new school house is a very handsome and wellbuilt structure. The interior is very handsomely finished, and more than usually lofty. It has a committee and dietrict library room in addition to the other usual rooms. At present the number of scholars is 28, but under tho able and talented teacher, Miss Seaman, who has the sole charge, there is no doubt that it will shortly be increased to •10 or even 50. The cost of the building was £42'), and taking into consideration the perfect and exceedingly handsome style in which it. has been finished, it is well worth the money.