STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1924, Page 9

STRATFORD NEWS.

THE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. SUCCESS OF THE SHOW. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Dec. 13. The president of the Stratford A. and P. Association (Mr. L. T. Aylward) presided over a well attended meeting of the general committee last night. There were also present: Messrs. H. Bishop, R. V. Kay, W. Pettigrew, D. M. Clarke, D. O’Sullivan, H. Johnson, A. David, E. H. Linnell, C. Jackson, H. Hunt, J. Crown, L. J. Furrie, C. Moore and C. Mcl. Young. The chairman returned thanks to all who had worked so hard to make the show a success, and paid a tribute to the organisation of the various sections. The secretary (Mr. A. J. Barr) had been of the greatest assistance and his tact and ability had played an important part in the undoubted success of the show. Mr. Aylward also complimented the Press, and referred to the fact that reports of the show had appeared in numerous papers throughout the Dominion. The following financial statement was presented by the secretary:— Donations £147, an increase of £l3 over last year. Entry fees £284, a decrease on last year £l4. Luncheon rooms profit £lO2 (decrease of £5). Kiosk profit £59 13s 7d (decrease of £3). Weight guessing competitions £2l 12s 6d (decrease of £l6). Space fees £9O, (decrease of £5). The sale of catalogues realised £2O, being an increase of £1 over last year’s figures, while the advertising fees for the schedule amounted to £55 12s 6d, being an increase of £l3 over last year. Gate takings were £2O ahead of last year and totalled £362. The subscriptions received to date are £434. There were about 200 members’ tickets taken at the gates the subscriptions for which are still unpaid. The total entries numbered 1909 as against 2077 last year. Various suggestions for the better working of the different sections were received from the chairman of the sections, and the points raised received full discussion. Messrs. Clarke and Moore were appointed to furnish a report on the matter of shifting the sweets and lemonade booth from its present position to a more suitable situation nearer the cattle.

A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Furrie and Pettigrew, was set up to report on ways and means of improving the housing of the junior section. Other matters dealing with the general welfare of the association were discussed, and it was agreed to hold the annual carnival on the Thursday after the New Plymouth show. Arrangements in this connection were left to the executive.

ON CHRISTMAS EVE. BIG CARNIVAL PLANNED. A meeting of the Christmas Eve carnival committee was held last night. The chairman (Mr. W. Hoskin) presided, and various matters were discussed and finalised. During the afternoon of Christmas Eve a lorry will convey Father Christmas through Broadway, during which time numerous balloons will be liberated. The finder will be entitled to a prize, according to the number borne by the balloon. There will be no blanks, but the competition will be confined to children. Arrangements have been made for the use of an upstairs portion of the municipal buildings for a ladies’ rest room, the furniture and equipment being provided by the retailers. An attendant will be in charge.

The town will b e gaily flagged and decorated with greenery, while individual shop-keepers are vieing with each other in the matter of window-dressing. The town decorations will be supervised by Mr. S. Ward, and Mr. L. T. Aylward will assume charge of the “missing man” competition. Endeavours are being made to secure the services of a concert party to give items from the lorry during the afternoon. After 7 p.m. the Stratford Citizens’ Band will play selections in the street. THE CONVENT SCHOOL. BREAKING-UP CEREMONY, The breaking-up ceremony in connection with St. Joseph’s School took place on Thursday afternoon, the function .taking the form of a Christmas tree, presents to all the infants, and a social afternoon, when a very enjoyable programme was presented by the pupils. The credit of arranging the Christmas tree is due to Miss O’Connor, who enthusiastically attended to the many duties necessarv to the working of the tree. She is to be congratulated on the success, and was handsomely rewarded with the knowledge that she had given so much pleasure to the children. The part of Santa Claus was carried out by Master Owen Lennon.

After the infants had received gifts from Santa Claus, the Rev. Father Maples presented the following prizes: Prizes for dux of the school, presented by Mrs. Bonner, awarded to Wilfred Morris and Norah O’Connor (equal). Prize for essay writing, presented by Miss O’Connor, awarded to William Bonner.

Writing competition, open to all Taranaki schools: Standard V., Jack Rothery, third prize. Standard IV., Tom Lawson, second prize. Standard 11., Mary Lennon, second prize. Special writing competition, open to all children attending public and private schools in Taranaki.—Tom Lawson, first prize, 10s 6J. The following pupils have been. successful in gaining their proficiency certificate: Wilfred Morris, Norah O’Connor, Len. Grant, Leslie Mclnnes, William Bonner, Owen Lennon, Victor Corlett and Leo Ford.

Bible and church history, gold medals presented by Rev. Father Maples, P t P.

—Standard VI.: Norah O’Connor, first prize; William Bonner, Owen Lennon and Wilfred Morris, second prize. Standard V., silver medals presented by Rev. Father Maples, P.P.: Jack Rothery and Charlie Johnson (equal). Prizes for the most popular boy and the most popular girl in the school presented by Rev. Father Maples, P.P., awarded to Wilfred Morris and Mary Fitzgerald. , After the distribution of prizes, Father Maples complimented the Sisters and their pupils on the successful year's work. The following programme was then provided by the children, Mrs. Bow’ler playing all the accompaniments in her usual capable and artistic manner: Hymn, “Sweet Heart of Jesus”; “Christmas Eve,” song, babes; recitation, “Santa Claus,” Frank Foley; distribution of Christmas tree and prizes; “I Want to be a Soldier,’’song, pupils; Sailor’s Hornpipe, Clarice Griffin; “0 “Erin My Country,” song, pupils; piano solo, “Remembrance,” Norah O’Connor; “The Minstrel Boy,” song, pupils; Irish Jig, Clarice Griffin; “We’re Only Seven,” song, Frank Foley, Stan Sullivan; recitation, “Eastern Legend,” Standard 4; “New Zealand Marseillaise,” song, pupils; fancy dance, Clarice Griffin; hymn, “Holy Mary Mother Mild.” Prior to the afternoon tea, which was served to all present, the Rev. Father Hilly said he-was delighted to see such a fine gathering of parents. The school was much too small for such a crowd, and he expressed the wish that next year the function would be held in a larger building, and be run on a bigger scale, when every child in the school would receive a present from Santa Claus. He said that Miss O’Connor deserved the highest praise for her kindness and generosity in laying the foun» dation for a function which would in future be run on a larger scale. He also thanked Mrs. Bowler, who is ever ready to give of her best for any good work in the parish. As the afternoon tea was being served Rev. Father Maples called for three cheers for Miss O’Connor, which were heartily given, after which all present rose and sang “For She's a Jolly Good Fellow.”

SCOTLAND’S BARD. In view of the fact that the number of replies to the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society’s circular regarding the holding of the traditional “Burns” function did not warrant the executive holding such an elaborate evening as planned, it' was decided at last night’s executive meeting to organise a “Burns” social, at which members and friends will be asked to attend. It was reported that the Hon. J.' Craigie, of Timaru, will be present to propose the toast, “Tbe Immortal Memory.” KING’S THEATRE. “CHU CHIN CHOW” TO-NIGHT. The world’s wonder picture, “Chu Chin! Chow” is to be shown at the King’s, Theatre, Stratford, to-night and to-mor-row night. The caste is a strong one, thf whole production being on a splendid and lavish scale. An augmented orchestra ; will play selections of “Chu Chin Chow.” j Box plans are at Humphreys.’