TE PUKE NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 22

TE PUKE NEWS

A DRAMA FESTIVAL A novel entertainment was held in the Parish Hall, To Puke, on Tuesday, when a drama festival was given by members of the institutes from the surrounding districts. The institutes taking part were: —Papamoa, Maketti, Pongakawa Valley, Paengaroa and Te Puke. The hall was filled to its utmost capacity and a keen interest was shown throughout the day by everyone present. The programme commenced in the morning, an interval of one hour being given for lunch, and tea was provided at the hall. A sweets stall did very good business. Intervals between the plays were occupied with pianoforte duets given by Mrs. C. Mapp and Mrs. Watkins. There were five plays, all of which were remarkably well acted, and the judge, Mrs. Oltiey, of Te Puke, had an exceptionally hard task in choosing which should gain first place. In fact, so hard was it, that she had to award the prize to two plays, " The Singing Soul," given by the Pongakawa Valley Institute, and " Waiting for the Bus," given by the Paengaroa institute. When announcing the winners, Mrs. Olney criticised the various plays and players. At the finish of the programme Airs. Stenhouse, of Katikati, made a brief speech, and, on behalf of the various institutes represented, presented Mrs. Olney with a posy.

The Te Puke institute commenced the programme with their play, entitled " Aunt Lizzie's Friend." " Bobby Settles Down " was presented bv the Papamoa institute and the Maketu institute presented " The Murderer," a humorous little play. The costumes in the Chinese play " The Singing Soul," given by the Pongakawa Valley institute, were excellent. A humorous sketch, entitled, " Waiting for the Buss " was the final item and was given by the Paengaroa institute.