ANOTHER ECLIPSE

Southland Times, Issue 20206, 17 June 1927, Page 8

ANOTHER ECLIPSE

THE CHILDREN’S NIGHT JOY AND LAUGHTER THAT CHILDREN MAY LIVE The Little Southlanders take such a pride (n themselves that already they are looking into the future and gazing on those who are going to fill their places when they themselves can no longer avoid taking their places in the ranks of the Big Southlanders. They do not want their successors to be sickly representatives of the province of which they are so justly proud. They want sturdy children, rosy-cheeked, laughing, happy children to succeed them, and so they lay their plans accordingly. They are endeavouring to ensure the health of the future generation by giving them a good start at their birth, and they have realised that the Plunket Society is best fitted to superintend that work. And the best way to assist the Plunket Society is to assist them financially, and the best way to assist them financially is to call on the support of the public. That is one of the reasons why their concert is being given—it includes the public in its activities; and Little Southlanders know that without the support of the public they can accomplish nothing, certainly not in that direction. The perseverance the children have shown in the regularity of their attendance at rehearsals, in their concentration on the work in hand, has been their test of good faith. And they have not been found wanting. To-night the public is to be tested for its good faith. It, also, shows no sign of being found wanting, so that all that wmains for the children to do to justify the attitude they have adopted is to put on a recital worthy of the confidence their elders have placed in them. Towards this end they have been working for the past few months. Many of the costumes to be worn were bought out of the proceeds of small social evenings and copper trails, so that even in that respect the children have shown the true pioneer spirit of independence. To-night is Little Southlanders’ night, and all those present at the Municipal Theatre will be given the opportunity to judge Whether it is a memorable one. The booking has been extremely heavy and practically the whole of the stalls and dress circle has been reserved, but the gallery will be opened, and it is anticipated that the curtain will rise before a packed house. The doors will be opened at 7 o’clock and the overture will begin at 7.55 p.m. sharp. Programmes, containing the words of the songs, will be on sale in the theatre.