CHAUTAUQU.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12014, 17 March 1920, Page 8

CHAUTAUQU.

The Chautauqua session at Marton concluded last evening and the increased popularity was shown in the big audience, many of whom had to stand. The opening of the programme was in the hands of Junior Town, a party of appropriately costumed boys and girls who gave a highly creditable performance. A party of girls danced prettily and then there trooped on tlie stage a large party of boys and girls—grave city councillors, policemen, gardeners", nurses and many others. There were many speeches, very brief, full of promise and advice. Boys advocated good road schemes, firemen immunity from fires, and the nurses healthier conditions, and those with a groucli were assured there was nothing wrong with the town they lived in—it was the fault of those who lived in it. Some pretty dances were executed. It was on-e of the most successful juvenile performances given in Marton and the audience repeatedly applauded. Mr de Berry expressed hearty thanks to Miss McGillivray for her excellent training of the children in six days. He also mentioned the generous and sportsmanalike spirit displayed by Mr A. Sutcliffe in having rearranged his screening of pictures in order that Chautauqua might have an opening nigbt. This announcement was heartily applauded. He called for cheers for Miss MoGillivrav, which were given, and that lady was also the recipient of a bouquet and a box of chocolates. The recipient in returning thanks expressed the hope that the youthful performers would do as well for their town as they had done that evening. She called for cheers for Junior Town and the response was hearty. The Fenwick Newell Concert Party again gave a delightful entertainment, the various artists being recalled repeatedly. Mr M. C, Reed prefaced his address by congratulating Junior Town on their pageaot. It was the best he had seen. His address “The World’s Greatest Need” was listened to with deep interest. The greatest need he said was not railwa3's—although they were wanted very badly in New J Zealand to open up the country. He was inclined to favour Government control. It was found in America that company control tended not so mnch to competition as to combination, and Government control as a war measure was more beneficial. More money was not the greatest need, and lie denied that education was. But he stressed the point that boys and girls must secure for themselves a good education. He told his youthful hearers of the little American boy whose widowed mother had sent him to school very poorly dressed. His school mates had ridiculed nim, and he had told his mother that the boys would not laugh at him when he became President of America, whjch he did— President Garfield. The speaker pointed out that it was within the reach of every boy to become great, and concluded by telling his hearers that the “World’s Greatest Need” was a return to old-fashioned honour and honesty and a love of humanity.