CHRISTMAS PARTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24759, 6 December 1943, Page 4

CHRISTMAS PARTY

700 HArPY CHILDREN

COLOURFUL OUTDOOR FAIR Hundreds of happy children were entertained at the Auckland Teachers' Training College on Saturday afternoon, when a great Christmas party and fair for children of men at present serving overseas was held under the auspices of the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee. The party was organised by the Mayoress, Mrs. J. A. C. Allum, and she was assisted by the Mayoresses of various boroughs, the wives of chairmen of town and road boards, and member. 5 / of the women's committee of the patriotic committee A telegram was received from Mrs. Allum, who had been called to Wellington through the death of her mother, and in her absence the 700 children and their mothers were welcomed by the Mayor, who was accompanied by the town clerk, Mr, J. Moiling, and Commodore S. D. Jtipp, senior United States naval officer in New Zealand. Variety o 1 Attractions Working under the direction of the principal, Mr. 1). M. Rae, students of the training college went to a great deal of trouble to organise entertainment for their small guests. Large marquees were erected about the grounds, and in these enthralled juvenile audiences were introduced to a puppet show, a ventriloquist, a circus and a magician. Moving pictures also were available, and one of the great attractions of the afternoon was free rides on a miniature electric train lent by Mr. J. E. Hill, of Onehunga, Costumed students gave a display of folk dancing on the lawns, and music was provided during the afternoon by the I'apakura Camp Band. Special Maori Entertainment In a near by dell, filled with native plants and trees, Maori students, wearing their traditional dress, staged a special Maori entertainment. Steaming hangis had been prepared, and alter the children had been entertained with hakas and action songs ,they were invited to sample native-cooked food. The party feast was colourfully set out in the rooms of the Normal School, and there the children' were treated to a multitude of good things, including jellies and ice cream. Occupying the place of honour was a large iced cake, bearing in flags the Victory V, which had been presented by Air Force Relations. The afternoon concluded with a visit from Santa Claus, bearing a large bag from whicli every child present received a gilt and some sweets.