EMPIRE DAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9753, 26 May 1903, Page 4

EMPIRE DAY.

SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT IN THEATRE ROYAL, Long before the time for commencing the Theatre Royal was lull to overflowing last evening with a crowd of expectant juveniles. A large number of adults were also present, and altogether the Theatre Royal has seldom, if ever, coik tained such a. monster assemblage. Mr J. W. Bright, Chairman of the Gisborne School Committee, presided, and in opening the proceedings asked the Mayor to address the gathering. His Worship reminded the cliildren that they were there to celebrate a new holiday, which was at the. same time an old one. It" was one of those days which everybody in the great British Empire could celebrate unreservedly, as it belonged to all of them. The. Empire during the time of many of them there had made immense expansion, and .they should feel proud of it that night. That evening the cliildren were to be shown pictures which it would have been impossible to do when he was young, as in those days photography was unknown. At the conclusion of his Worship's remarks, he invited the children to stand and sing "God Save the King." A verse of the- Notional Anthem was accordingly sung. The entertainment comprised vocal selections, an exhibition of limelight views by Messrs A. Thomson, and DeLautour, aiid gramophone items tinder the direction of Mr J. Adnir. The City Band | were in attendance, and played selections at the commencement of the concert. The various portions of the concert came in for hearty applause, the- juveniles especially marking their appreciation in a decided manner. The limelight views included some excellent American scenes, from slides kindly supplied by Mr Bright, by Mr F. W. Williams, of Napier. These included different points b of the Niagara Falls and several views of t New York and its harbor, the giant 1 Liberty statue being shown among the latter. Indian and South African»scenes, New Zealand bush views, pictures of British ■ heroes winning the Victoria Cross, and views of patriotic demonstrations in Gisborne were tlirown on tho ■ screen. A number of comic slides were also given. Mr A. Thomson manipulated the lantern, whilst the pictures were explained by Messrs J. W. Bright and J. Wauchop. Mr F. Teat was the first vocalist. His 'contribution, "Time as the Compass," was given in good style. Mr H. Hill sang "Ora Pro Nobis" successfully, the effect of the solo, being enhanced by a series of fine illustrations. Mr Hill also sang the comic song, "My Honolulu Lady." On being recalled, he repeated a verse. Miss ! Faubert rendered with good effect "Little Boy Blue." Mr R. Mitchell chose "Romany Lass" as his number. He has previously given proof that he possesses a first-class voice, and his song last evening confirmed the impression. "Killarney" was prettily illustrated, while the singing of Miss Williams left nothing to be desired on that score. Mr A. Zachariah sang the comic ditty, "Where I Am Lodging Now," and in response to a vociferous encore, gave "Oompah," which also found great favor among the juveniles. Messrs J. H. Gittos and E. Parnell presided at the piano. During the evening the Mayor presented the Royal Humane Society awards to ■ Messrs C. Hansen and R. S. Richards, who bravely gave their aid in saving the i lad Douglas Menzies from drowning on the Waikanae bench two months ago. •■ In reading the report furnished to the i Humane Society in connection with the affair, his Worsliip mentioned that in i 1898 Mr Hansen had been one of five who received gold medals for saving the ■ life of Mr James Thomson, who was washed 1 off the breakwater during a heavy southerly sea. At the instance of Mr Bright, three cheers were given for each recipient. The report on wliich the Society made the awards was supplied by Sergeant Siddells on affidavits made by Mr J. Georgeson, an eye- witness of the rescue of the lad *\lenzies. Before the proceedings closed, Mr Bright returned thanks to those who had assisted towards making the conceit a success, making special mention of Mr Thomson's services. MATAWHERO SCHOOL. ' Yesterday ' morning the Matawhero children assembled at the school for the purpose of saluting the flag. There was a good attendance of parents and friends , to witness the ceremony. The children were lined up facing the riag by Mr Marshall, headmaster, and his staff. Mr R. Macduff Birrell, chairman of the - Matawhero School Committee, in addressing the gathering, explained to the scholars what their Empire really meant. It was not a question merely of territory, but of the character of the people, • and no matter how far they might be apart they were drawn together by the bonds of sentiment. That feeling of union was shown in time of danger, when they rallied around the Motherland. Mr Birrell impressed on the cliildren the responsibility of each one, pointing out that on the strength of its units the Empire as a whole depended. They should be honest, truthful, and independent, and should gain a thorough knowledge of the Empire in order to become good citizens. e To the boys he remarked that they might be called on to defend the Empire some day, wliilst he showed that the girls could have their part to play, instancing the devoted women, delicately nurtured, who had gone to the front, during the late war, and undertaken their share. Captain King endorsed the chairman's remarks. He stated he had recently been in the South Island, and had been much impressed with the discipline observed He hoped the Matawhero children would L follow such an example, and so be worthy of the flag they were honoring that day. Lieutenant) Tombleson also made a short speech, appropriate to the occasion. The Cadets and elder girls were then put through their drill, and physical exercises by Lieutenant Tombleson, Captain King, and Lieutenant Tombleson expressed pleasure at the efficiency of the children, whose work reflected credit on Ma- Marshall. Votes of thanks were passed to Captain King and Lieutenant Tombleson for their attendance, and the proceedings terminated. In the evening a concert was held in the Matawhero schoolroom. Notwithstanding the muddy state of the roads there was a large attendance. An enjoyable and varied entertainment was provided. Mr McClure supervised the magic lantern, and under his dircetion an interesting and numerous series of views from all parts of the world were depicted on the screen. Scenes in the Arctic regions, the Boer war, and highly diverting comic sketches were included. During the evening the children rendered several patriotic songs in a pleasing manner under the baton of 1 Mr Marshall. Mrs Muir presided at the piano at the com- - mencement of the concert, and Miss McClure gave as an overture "The Relief of Ladysmith," which was illustrated. Mr Birrell sang "The Englishman/ • and "Plantation Melodies," rendered by the Misses Gardiner (2), and Messrs S. Bolton, and Hall. Mr Bolton sang "The Admiral's Broom," and Mr Bin-ell recited "The Charge of the Light Brigade." Mr Von Pein also gave a recitation. The performers were well received. The accompaniments were' played by Miss > Norah Stephenson and Mrs Muir. Votes of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted to make the concert a success brought the proceedings to a close.