HALLOWE’EN PARTY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 75, Issue 6441, 3 November 1947, Page 4

HALLOWE’EN PARTY

UNIQUE FUNCTION IN TOWN HALL PRESBYTERIAN MEN’S Clliß ENTERTAIN CHILDREN Robert Burns gives the collowing explanatory note preceding his poem “Halloween”; “Halloween (All Hallow Eye, or the eve of All Saints’ Day) is thought to be a night when witches, devils, and other mischiefmaking beings are all abroad on their baneful, midnight errands; particularly those aerial people, the fairies, are said, on that night, to hold a grand anniversary.” The Town Hall has been the scene of many varied functions, and young and old can recall such with varying degrees of pleasure, but it is doubtful if any yet held came up to the standard of the Halloween party arranged by the Presbyterian Men’s Club on Friday night. The club had as their guests the children of St. Andrew’s Sunday School, and upwards of 390 children from seven to nine-thirty had the time of their young lives. The opening paragraph of this report gives a description of Halloween and those who were present on Friday night will agree that the scene presented would have satisfied Burns as having lived up to the traditional eerie wonders described in the Scottish Bard’s poem. In addition to the children there were many adults who entered into the spirit of the fun, and who in so doing became young again. The stage, which was arranged as a dark eerie forest, had many lifelike representations of owls, bats, mice and rats, while in the thick of it stood a most fearsome-looking ghost. On one side there was a large spider’s web wherein reposed a Large spider. There was also the witches’ cave with its mysterious cauldron under which glowed a realistic fire, while nearby were the stools made of logs of wood. There were beetles and masklike apparitions, while a somewhat lighter note was struck by the presence of Chinese lanterns. On the walls of the hall were representations of owls, bats, witches on their broomsticks, black cats, yellow cats, and all the creatures associated with Halloween. The shaded electric lights above the floor also had their complement of moths and spiders. The whole scene was one that had to be seen to be fully appreciated, and the decorations reflected the utmost credit on those responsible, for not only was a large amount of time involved in their preparation, but they also called for much skill and there was evidence of that quality in a large degree. On the floor at spaced intervals were large toadstools around which sat happy bands of excited children. The girls in their party frocks with the boys in more sombre clothing but all contributing to the joyous scene. If by any chance some did not know each other that did not prevent youth with its natural gift of making friends from soon getting to be acquainted, and joy and merriment reigned supreme. Shortly after the fun commenced the witch, preceded by three mice drawing the magic pumpkin, accompanied by the farmer’s wife, entered and took their place on the stage. The children then sang “Three Blind Mice,” and the fun increased to a quick tempo. Party hats were distributed and the scene gained in colourful animatedness. A game with ping pong balls saw each group of children around their toadstools expending much breath and Energy. A game of blindman’s bluff followed by “Ring a Ring a Rosie” kept the children busily and happily engaged. From the stage the scene was one long to be remembered, and a modern day scribe would have to be endowed with the gift of a Robert Burns to do it full justice. After a series of games, the witch using her mysterious powers, called on the “mice” to draw forth from the pumpkin packets of sweets which were distributed to the children. A competition involving the placing of tails on large black and yellow cats followed, and two teams, one captained by a girl and one by a boy, entered into it with zest. The boys’ team won after all that expenditure of energy. Ice creams were indeed welcome, and here again each child regaled itself with the cooling delicacy. Anple bobbing created a lot of fun, and then the children indulged in community singing, the old-time war songs, “Pack up your Troubles” and “Tipperary” being given hearty renditions. The third item, “Silent Night,”’ was reverently and feelingly sung, and it showed how easily children can swing from one mood to another with a naturalness that is one of the charms of childhood. Mr L. W. Spence then entertained with some cleverly executed feats of magic, and he held the attention of his youthful audience in a manner that was a tribute to his ability to entertain. The dancing of the Highland Fling and the Seantriubhas by the Misses Lois Hall, Patricia Stephens and Anne Wallace (pupils of Miss Elaine North) was a most pleasing item. The performances of these Scottish dances • were excellent, and reflected great credit on the pupils and their teacher. Piper Johnston provided the suitable accompaniments in his usual capable manner. A marching contest by the girls and boys headed by Piper Johnston next engaged the attention of all, and it created great interest. The children then once again gathered around their toadstools and adult attendants sprinkled each with flower petals, making a fitting setting for the supper which was then served, and which the children did full justice to. Prior to supper grace was said. That was the official climax to a wonderful party. The children then gave rousing cheers, and the fullthroated shrill cheers of the kiddies was indeed rousing, for the Witch (Miss McDiarmid, of the Primary School), Mrs R. Salmond and her host of assistants, Mrs Gordon Parkker and her equally willing helpers, and Mr R. C. Judd and his assistants. The singing of the vespers, “Christopher Robin is saying his Prayers,” led by little girls who gathered around a crib on the stage was a charming item. The children then sang in traditional manner, “Auld Lang Syne,” followed by the nation’s

prayer, “God Save the King,” and the party came to a close. Even then the hospitality of the hosts was not exhausted for each child on leaving was given a stick of lolly and an apple, and a happy if tired band of children wandered homewards. No report would be complete without a word of acknowledgment to Mr Keith Burgess who as Master of Ceremonies at the microphone was • undoubtedly the right nxan in the right place. He kept the children happily engaged and more to be wondered at, in silence when such was called. His quip at the “girl with the red bow in hair” was heartily enjoyed by the**’ children. As stated the function was provided by the Presbyterian Men’s Club, and they certainly did themselves credit for the generous manner in which thej entertained the children. The entertainment was the most unique ever held in Te Awamutu and all who were associated with it are to be congratulated on the success achieved. Probably the least success was achieved by the Courier scribe who has endeavoured to cover an assignment as unique as any in his reporting experience. The children and their parents and other adults will long remember the Presbyterian Men’s Club’s Halloween Party.