WAIPAHI.

Otago Witness, Volume 06, Issue 2899, 6 October 1909, Page 39

WAIPAHI.

September 29. — Fine spring weather continues, and there is growth everywhere in gardens and fields. Spring work '* being hurried on, so as to be ready for the rush of shearing and all the woii of the summer. Great interest is being taken, in the river, for most men and boys wield the rod, and the prospect* of a good fishingseason arc being discussed by all. School * Concert. — Th© concert in aid of school funds was held in the hall an Friday, 24-th inst., and was attended by a large audience. For the first part the kinderspiel, the "Happy Family, * was presented by the children, with the assistance of Miss Christina Campbell as "the old woman .that lived i» ** shoe," and Miss Kirk (Tapanui) as accompanist. The principal characters were : — Miss Muffitt, Alberta Paterson ; Mongery Dan, Evelyn Banks ; Dorothy Draggletail, Charlotte Murray; Polly, Ghr-issic Melrose ; Goody Two Shoes, Roberta Melrose; Curlylocks, Etty Henke; Uinderella, Annie Kirkpatrick ; Robinson Crusoe. Bonaid Melrose ; Sinbad, Alex. Turnbull; Friday. Robert Turnbull; Bluebeard, John Druimmond ; Aladdin, Eric Bakei ; AH Baba, James Johnston ; sailors, Forty Thieves (four of them), and sisters i large and *mall filled up the ranks of the chorus. A neat recitation was given by Ruby Suttie, and another by Cissy Johnston. The sailors gave a display of cutlas drill, and the sisters a dance march._ All went off well, and che packed audience were very lenient to any shortcomings, j Some of the lads lost their voices, but the work as a .vhole was well done, and the choruses went well. The second part of th© programme consisted of songs and recita- j tions. Mr Jas. Banks recite-d "Wallace at Falkirk," and as an encore gave "A High. ] Wind." Miss Melrose sang "Down the old Swanee," Mrs White "The dear little shamrock," Miss Kirke (Tapanui) "Why 1 left I my horned' Mr Burn "The tar's farewell." Mr H. Collins gave an amusing musical sfcetch. The accompaniments were played j by Miss Melrose. Miss Suttie, and Miss j Kirke. At the close of the entertainment the chairman, th& Rev. Samuel Gaeton, ex- . pressed plp.avare at being present, complimenting ths- performers on their efforts, and especially praised the children for their ( performance. Mr James Campbell pto- j posed a vote of thanks to the chairman for 1 presiding, to the^ performers, to the teachers for their work in training th© children, and to the ladies who provided refresihments. In replying to the vote of thanks Mr Burn, on behalf of the committee, thanked the audience for the 6up- . port given, and especially thanked the strangers present, and also thanJ-ed all who had so kindly helped to make the per- j formance a success. Th© training of the youniger children and of the dancers was ir the hands of Miss Rennie, the assist- ■ ant mistres-5, and her pupils acquitted them- I selves well. Miss Kirk<? was especially good in playing the accompaniments for the children, and she also gave Pxtra time | to assist at rehearsals. After refreshments had been handed round the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up till an «>arly hour. Music was suplied by Messrs R. and H. Collins, Dallow, and Henke. and others, and a pleasant time was spent. The Hall.— The Hal 1 Committee has been strengthened by the addition of three new members elected at a public meeting. The committee has been improving the interior of th© hall, and the work w«6 sufficiently advanced to be of us** at the school 011cert. The stage has been brought forward 3ft, a proscenium built, wings, flies, and a curtain put in. Some scene painting is tr be done, and the final vesult will bo to make -the interior v of the hall as neat and , well finished as any small hall in the coun- I try. Mr W. Baiiiks is the architect, and | willing hands under his able direction have worked a wonderful change. The committee depend or the backing cf the public to provide fund-*, end judging by the wav the ticket-? for t'.v coacert on October 29 , arr* celling, the result will notify the «mmittoe's action. By the date ot the concert the work will be finished, and tbo audience will be able to judge of the effect. A good programme is being prepared, the "Waipahi Blackbirds" will warble in the grovp. and a etronj? concext company will pro\ide a capital programme for the second ( par*\ Th»» conclusion will be the time- > honoured farce, and, of course, a dance will follow.