SCHOOL CONCERT

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3379, 17 December 1924, Page 5

SCHOOL CONCERT

SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT FUNDS FOR NEW TENNIS COURT The Foresters’ Hall was packed last evening for the concert given by the pupils of the Pahiatua District High School, A splendid entertainment was given, and every praise is duo to the children, especially as the' bulk of the organising, rehearsing, etc., was carried out by them with very little assistance from the teachers or outside public. During an interval Mr W. C. Robinson. as a member' of the school committee, took the opportunity lo thank the public for their liberal patronage. He praised the children unstintingly for their splendid effort, remarking that they had even done the organising themselves. It had been usually the' custom for the secondary pupils to have a. small concert among themselves at the end of each term, but this time they decided to draw in primary talent so as to include the whole school. It was then decided to hold the function in the Foresters’ Hall, the object being to form the nucleus of a fund for an additional tennis court at the school. Thanks were due to Mrs H. M. Morton who. had attended to the whole of the musical part of the programme, and to Mr C. Burt’s orchestra for its assistance.

Miss M. Edmed was presented with a bouquet by the children, but took no praise for the success of the entertainment, explaining to the audience the enthusiasm of the children, and their patience at rehearsals. The programme opened with a spirited overture by Mr Chester Burt’s Orchestra, composed of Miss Doris Burt (piano) ; Messrs C. and H. Burt (violins) ; Mr F. Burrell (cornet), and Mr W. Johnson (jazz effects).

The senior squad of girls performed very creditably despite visible signs of nervousness and the performers were deservedly encored. The antics of five young “Orientals,” in : ust'ume, in a song and chorus “Chin. Chin, Chinaman,” with Frank Moiton, as soloist, delighted the audience, and the boys (Heaton Longmore, Allan Fraser, Eric Dorset and Charles Burr) were encored insistently. An unusual feature, which demonstrated the marked progress of the secondary pupils, was a little' play, given in French, entitled “La Vaniteuse.’’ The principals were Florence Badger. Joan Swainsom, Valina.i Wingfield, Fred Cormaek, Charles Burr, and Leith Barker. The play was repeated in English for the edification of the primary children present. Gwen Brown recited well a piece called “The Fioneer.”

Miss Eunice Cbatwin was particularly well received for a sweet rendering of the song, “A Little Coon’s Prayer.” and for an encore gave “Almond Blossoms.” A pretty song and chorus followed, “Memory Lane,” with Ivy Fox as soloist, and the chorus of junior girls comprised Hillary Horrax, Peggy Welsh, Nora Fox. Barbara Swain son, Joan K <l- - and Rosie Sirett. A duet, “Will you dance with me,” sung by Misses E. Ohatwin and M. Stubbs, was greatly appreciated, and the curtain fell on the first half of the programme after a lengthy and humorous sketch by the Rev G. W. and Mrs Fenwick.

After the interval eighteen girls, dressed in pretty' Japanese' costume, greatly pleased with a,' chorus, “Come to Tea.” Another French play entitled “The Plost Office,’? subsequently given in English, was verywell acted by Arthur Wadsworth, Dick I'avlor. Bevil Austin and Eric Dorset. This was followed by' a pianoforte solo from Hillary Horrax. and then came fchei gem of the evening “Some Limericks,” rendered by the authors, some fifteen bovs.

Cecil ine O’Styke was the soloist for a pretty song and chorus, “Blue Bird.” Frank Morton gave* a very clever and humorous recitation. “Au Telephone,” first in French and then in English. “Sambo’s Sea Voyage,” a dialogue by Fred Con-mack and Leith Parker, was chock-a-block with humour, and the pair kept the audience in continual merriment.

The last item was a splendidly acted play, “The Country Cousins,” in which considerable talent was displayed. The dresses were “a la mode,” and in the case of the- country cousin, ludicrous. Annie Rossi and Gwen Brown took the part of the' country cousins “Ivate” and “Jane,” the former doing every justice to a long and difficult part. Joan Cook was the fashionable town cousin, and her “friend” was Oeciline O’Sfyke. Heaton Longmore took the part of “The Court.” and Valmai Wingfield did the duties of maid.

During the performance bououets. were presented to Miss Eunice Chatwin. Hillary' Horrax and Ceeiline - * Styke. Mrs H. M. Morton acted as accompanist, throughout.