A GREAT SUCCESS

Southland Times, Issue 19575, 12 June 1925, Page 6

A GREAT SUCCESS

UNIQUE CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT. KINDERGARTEN BUILDING FUND. The popularity of the Free Kindergarten Movement in Invercargill has never been doubted, and if any evidence was required of the generous public interest that is taken in this important work, it was amply supplied at the King’s Hall last evening. Despite the elements and counter attractions, I over 2,000 people severely taxed every inch ! of seating and standing room, all eager to | view the splendid little entertainment proI vided by the Tiny Tots of the South Ini vercargill Kindergarten and their friends. I Since it was organised the Kindergarten has steadily increased in size and efficiency until, to-day it plays an important part in the life of the community, and the hearty public support of last evening's effort will very materially improve the finances of the Institution. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins and aunts were all there in force to see the little ones in their charming performance, and the floor was lined with dancers and skaters for whose benefit a bright band was in attendance. Special arrangement for a central dancing space was made by the Skating Rink Management and the Kindergarten Committee headed by Messrs C. F. Bartlett and F. W. Dixon controlled the entertainment. Sir Joseph Ward presided, and after officially opening proceedings, “kept the ball rolling” in characteristically jovial manner all evening. “I want to congratulate those who are responsible for the work of the Kindergarten in Invercargill,” said Sir Joseph in his opening address. “Nothing does more good in the community, and the children learn early in life to realise the benefits of education. You cannot expect, this evening, a polished performance as the little ones have not yet been actually trained, but they follow the music naturally and develop themselves. Some have only been at the Kindergarten a month. The work of Messrs N. Hamilton and P. Jenkins requires recognition, for their task as teachers, is no easy one. The Kindergarten desires to obtain a new hall, and I hope a considerable contribution will be provided. In opening i the entertainment I wish the Kindergarten every success.” (Applause.) The programme opened with a grand march of more than 50 children in pretty and original fancy costumes, led by Messrs Hamilton, Jenkins and B. Aitken. First in the line a little fellow in full dress clothes marched proudly along followed by white and black rabbits, a Cupid, a Policeman, a Tram conductor, a duckling, a blue bag, an Indian and dozens of others, while the huge 1 audience clutched their voting papers and grappled with the task of choosing the best costume. The children gave a half hour entertainment of nursery rhyme singing and intricate descriptive marching that was dis--1 tinctly creditable and showed that the coach- ' ing had been careful and thorough. Some- ; times, numbers of the little army faltered I just for a moment when they gazed on the • sea of faces. Then the well-merited ap- • plause came, and they marched on smiling, j Towards the end of the evolutions, they I became more confident and completed the | display with natural grace and vivacity that ■ was delightful. I The votes were then collected and counted, the winners being as follow's:—First— Lester Bartlett (rooster), second—Olive Hughes (fairy), third Dannie Holden (white rabbit), fourth—Joy Shaw (fairy), fifth— Robbie Aitken (wood elf). The winners were presented with suitable prizes by Sir Joseph Ward. The evening was then devoted to skating, and dancing on the central space. At intervals Misses May Finlayson and Shona Drumm gave exhibitions of Foxtrotting, the Blues and Tango, and a party of clever little dancers —Misses Joan Fisher, Dorothy Forrester, and Daisy Siddell, trained by Miss M. Betteridge entertained for 15 minutes with descriptive and toe dancing. At the close of the programme, Sir Joseph Ward thanked the audience for the splendid attendance. The evening had proved a memorable one for the children, an interesting one to the parents and a profitable one for the Kindergarten. (Applause) . The hall remained open until 11 o’clock and crowds thronged the rink and dance floor enjoying themselves to the fullest. It , is possible that owing to the unusual success of the effort the Committee will consider holding a similar entertainment in the near future.