FRUIT SOIREE AND CHILDREN'S COMPETITION FOR PRIZES AT WAIORONGOMAI.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 108, 27 June 1885, Page 7

FRUIT SOIREE AND CHILDREN'S COMPETITION FOR PRIZES AT WAIORONGOMAI.

On Tuesday evening last the long-ex*--£ected Fruit Soiree and cuildren's compel! iou for pnaes took place in the \\ . i.iiougviimi Public Hall, un-ler the at^p'.ces of tue Waiorougnmai B.nul of liti^e. The hall stage was bnilitntly decorated with banners, with mottos on each) worked in quid letters on black £i->uud. Tne moat noticeable was tue centre banner witn tne ihseriued motto, i " Train up a child iv the way he should go, etc./' winch was most artistically mounted with gf Id scroll work, a rose in tne centre, and a handsome wreath of ferns an^l flowers underneath. The banner of the Society was hung in a very conspicuous place, and looked well in contrast to the other decorations. Tae inottos on the various flags were ; ™ We'll wiu the day," " Water is best," ■"Alls right when daddy's sober," xt Welcome here," " Help the good cause/ »ud other banners worked in gold letters with verses of poetry suitable to the occasion. The fruit) etc., was displayed all across the hont of the stage, and very tastefully laid out, presenting' a most tempting appearance", and c nnprised bananas^ pine apples, oranges^ apples (in great variety)) lollies, almonds nuts, etc., etc., in great abundance. We may state that the gold lettering was entirely the work of the secretary (Mr Lovell), who was ably -assisted in the work of decorating by Miss Gribble ; th«* wreaths made by this lady having a very pleasing effect) and evinced great taste% Taken as a whole, the sta^e decorations wer^ greatly admired. The meeting was opened by the choir* under the leadership of Mi fc>. L. Hirst, singin? a selection) after rhidh Mr H. Buttle (President), offered prayer, and in a few brief remarks introduced the Rev. Jas. Marshall) wao, by request, undertook to occupy the chair. The C lairnvm, on coming forward, was greeted wit'i cheers* and brii-fly addressed the meeting., stating the pleasure it gave him to preside on such sin «>ecasion, his connection and sympathy wit.i the cause in the old country, etc. T.ie children's competitions were then commenced. Messrs .1. llottj VV F. * J ttnt, and M. Lovell were appointed t<» tne difficult task of judging Liuj awarding the various prices. The children were placed in three classes, boys and girls, viz. : 1 to 7 years, 7 to 12 years, 12 to 1§ years, for recitation j reading, singing. The following was thj programme :—Selection, " Tranquil River," Choir { recitation, " Trust in God and do the ritfht/' Miss Emma Green 9yrsj recitation, "The Saturday night/ Miss Jane Forsman, 8 } reading-, " The bull in the china shop," Master Kershaw 12 j selection "Bringing in the siieaves/' Choir j duetj pianoforte, *• Ii Comcolo)" Mrs Hunt and Miss Gribble $ recitation, " The captive," Miss Kliza Ryan, 11 $ recitation, "The miner's daughter," Master Berrie Adams; 6; recitation, " Don't kill the birds," Miss Jessie Forsman, 5 j sortg, " Hard times come again, nd more," Miss L. West (not competitive) j recitation, »' John Maynard)" Master Ciiarles Green, 12 } recilatiouj " f J?he custard," Miss Ethel Goldswortky* 7 j recitation, " Half way o' doin it," Master Albert Joy, 14 ) recitation, ur the chiltl's evening hyir>n," Miss Alice Hill, 3 j Selection, "'Oh a goodly thing/ Choir \ recitation, " Tne Maori's life"/' Master \V ; Emettj 11 j eolo, pianofortej Mrs W. F. Hunt j recifcafcion, " The fire brigade/ Master H. Kershaw 12; recitation, "The sober man," Miss Bella Forsman, 12 j recitation, " The rubl can's invitation to drink," Miss Mitrnie Hill, duet, *' Home," Misses A. and E. Goldsworthy j recitationj " Death of Napoleon," Master Reynolds,- 14 j reeitatioiij " I'm teetotal I assure ydd/' Master E Jennings, 8 j soloj organj Mrs N. Baskett; recitation, 4l Twinkle little star." Miss bissie Thofhe, 6 j song, " Father won't drink arty more/ Miss E. Hirst } recitation, " The little boy and the stars," Master Jack Adams, 9 } Selection, " Over the river/* C)»oir j soug, " Wait for the waggOn," Master Leo Jahies Lawless (riot competitive) ) recitation, " The secrets of Natilre/' Miss Josephine -Andrews, 12 j recitationj " Love one another," Miss Kate J^nhings, 7 j recitation, " What does it mean/ Miss Lizzie Green 11 } recitation, ft The dear swal- | low," iVuss Healejr, 6 \ recitation, " Curlew will not Him to-night," Miss Lucy Green, 15. Special priue for recitation : Masters A.- Joy, 14 years^ " Yorkshire Humphrey/ H. Kershaw, 12 years, " T»»e gambler's Wife." Finale, kt The ciuidrens' pleadings' j Fruit i)istril»uti >u ; selection. " Peace l»e still/ Choir. Barihij the evening the choir rendered •ft a very creditable manner several Be- |

lections Mis** Gribble and Mr*. Hunt) in their pianoforte duet, " II Comcolo," and Mrs H&nt, in her pianoforte solo, were Warmly opplauded. The Misses Goldsworthy in their song did well. The organ solo by Mrs Basketfc was greatly appreciated* that lady showing much skill as an organist. Miss Ethel Hirst, in her Bong, " Father won't drink any more," was really gooH, the singing And enunciation being perfect. With regard to the competitions for prizes, the children who took par* m^uitied tf <»mselves ir\ a most creditable manner The following were awuriled prize 1 * : Olass 1: it? 7 years. Ist. Mis* Kthei (Joldsworthy ; 2nd. M^ter Bertie Adams ; 3rd. Miss Jessie Forsman. OUss 2 : 7to 12 \ears. Ist. Master H. Kershaw ami Mis-* Lixzio Green ; '2nd. Master .1. Ad.vns and M^s June Forsman ; Ur-l. Miss Uella Forsurm, Miss Em- a, Uvan, and Master E. Jenninyrs. j Class J* :12 to 15. Ist. Miss Lncr ; Given; 2n-'. Master A. Joy; Brd. Master Franlc G. U«»yno)ds. Special Prize ( lYuitauoni) : Ist. Master H. Korshaw; 2nd. Master A. Joy. The competition noiag <*on tined to the above two. Bingiusj- Prize : Mi<s 3<]thel Hirst (only •co upotitor). Tne most pleading and touching part of the entertainment was the piece rendered at the close by thirteen children. Under the charge of the secretary, entitled the " Clul'irens' Pleivlin^^," eucli child coming forward wearing a card, withhold letters, attached to a blue ribbon round their necks, and reciting a verse as they came on the sta#e one alter another, and stood in a half circle 5 the effect was pleasing in the extreme. The letters on the cards when they all stood side by side, spelling the \vo>'d<? " Si«jrn the plfidye," all saying Ith'se \ O*!s together at the. end of the piece, and immediately afterwards uniting in singing one verse of '' Scatter j .seels of kindness " This part of the entertainment was loudly and deservedly cheered, and should c ths means of doing much good, as it was really touching. The fruit distribution, took place at the conclusion of the competition, be«ng handed round by a few ladies and gentlemeh. During the interval selections of music were given oil an organ kindly lent for the dceasbii by Mr J. P. Vause, of Te Aroha. Mr Ilott, on behalf of the judges, j announced the prize winners. Mr Buttle, ;on behalf the Band of Hope, returned J a hearty vote of thanks to all the ladies j who had assisted ; to Mr J. C. Firth for his kindness in obtaining the fruit, and forwardiilg it; to the Rev. Mr Marshall for presiding ; and to Mr Lovell, the energetic and indefatigable secretary, remarking that the success of the meeting was mostly due to his efforts, the whole of the arrangements having been made and carried out by him The meeting closed by the Chairman pronouncing the Benediction. The lar^e hall was crowded on the occasion, and the meeting one of the most successful and interesting ever hell in the district.