ELTHAM ROAD.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 154, 24 December 1895, Page 3

ELTHAM ROAD.

(Our own Correspondent.) The annual school concert and distribution of prizes was held at the Awatuna Hall on Wednesday night, and was very well attended. The juveniles themselves contributed the major portion of the entertainment, and the creditable manner in which they acquitted themselves showed very careful tuition on the teachers' part, as well as considerable talent amongst the youngsters themselves. The programme consisted mainly of songs by the girls, and a dialogue amongst half a dozen boys, in which each claimed to be the sole builder of a ship, to the construction of which all had contributed a share of their labor. This was very carefully gone through, but it lacked the vim and vigor boys generally infuse into their arguments. Had the boys been given a free hand and allowed to settle the dispute in their usual style, instead of being tutored into the totally unboyish-like proceeding of referring to an umpire, it would have been much more natural and lifelike. Songs were also snng by Messrs Fisher, Hutchens, Gatenby, and Mrs Hutchens, all of whom acquitted themselves very creditably. Mr Fisher's two songs were encored, but the time was too limited for encores being allowed. Miss Wyergang played the accompaniments on the piano in her usual efficient style. Mr Watson, chairman of the school committee, was in the chair, and presented a prize to every pupil, saying that those who had not passed the examination might be thereby stimulated to further exertions. The school picnic was held in the mill paddock on Friday, and was, I hear, a very successful turn-out ; and a dance iu the hall on Friday night concluded the festivities.