DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1924, Page 11

DISTRICT NEWS.

QAKURA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual school concert was held on Friday (12th inst.) at the district hall, and was voted a great auetess. The programme opened with a prologue by Ray Jury, a little boy of cix years, who welcomed the audience and warned them not to “expect” too much from his fellow pupils. However, the programme proved that no such apology was necessary, as the items were all given in a wav that was worthy of commendation. A pianoforte duet by Audrey and Theo Smith, who have had only a short experience of music, followed, and was played in so faultier* a manner that an encore was immediately demanded. Then came Lola Mace, equipped with her Teddy Bear, and *he told the story of her “baby’’ in a pretty manner. This was succeeded by a chorus, . “Cloud*."’ in which all the pupils took part. For this item, as well a* for the remaining songs with the exception of one, Misa Susie Mills played the accompaniments, and the performance was an ample reward for her painstaking efforts to make her share a success. Jan© had another baby story to tell, but his infant was the “real thing,” and gave the little reciter some difficulty in trying to understand its, to him, peculiar waye. To an accompaniment played by Theo Smrth, the Tiny Tots *ang very sweetly indeed “Twinkle Twinkle.” They were afterwards heard again in “Rosebuds,” at the eml of which the flowers were scattered from the stage amongst the audience. Doris Haskell then recited “Miss Hooper,” the girl who ?ame to grief with her hoop, which, the story says, in still making its way somewhere in the world. A monologue by Jackie Rueling was greatly appreciated, and had to l»e followed by an encore. In two succeeding items the boys made it clear that they meant to do «• their share unaided by the girls. In ” The Road to Anywhere” four of the senior boys, dressed in character, acquitted themselves creditably, while later they again took part in a dialogue entitled “Nonsense School,” with the help of the other big boys, and gave ridiculous answer® to questions put to them by their teacher pio tern.. Theo Smith. The recent installation of telephones in a few houses in the district suggested the dialogue •Telephone Talk,” in which many local "hits” were made. Needless to say this item caused a great deal of merriment amongst the audience, who listened attentively to hear whose name would next come to light. A chorus, "The Chinaman,” was given by a number of boys and girls, two of whom were attired to suit the parts of Chinese. Perhaps the most acceptable item on the programme was a jsolo by Irene Haskell, who, it is hard to believe from her performance, appeared that evening in a solo item for the first time. Even after she had rendered an encore number the applause was such as to give evidence in an unmistakable manner that Iter effort was very much valued. A very pretty little dialogue entitled “The Waiting Well,” had to be held over owing to the nonattendance at the very last moment of two of the characters. Their places were, however, filled by two understudg ies, and only those who took part in

the preparation of the dialogue would have been aible to detect any flaw in itti rendering, which was a source of great satisfaction to those who had spent a good deal of time making dresses and regalia for the children. Before the singing of “God Bless New Zealand,” Theo Smith appeared on the stage in the character of Mr. Elijah Brown, the inventor’s wife, ami made public the dangers associated with being the spouse of such a person as a daring inventor. He had to respond to an encore.

At the conclusion of the National Anthem, Mr. Harris (chairman of the school committee! distributed the prizes. A very pretty bouquet of earnations gathered from their own gardens was presented by the children to Miss Mills as a mark of esteem and gratefulness for her kindly interest in their preparations. A dance followed to music supplied by Mr. Orr. The very large attendance was somewhat cramped for space on the floor until a number of the /school children had been given supper and had taken their departure for home. A word’ of thanks is due to those ladies who helped to make the dresses and those who prepared the supper; also to Messrs. L. Brown and W. Twomey for acting as MJC.’s.

In this year’s competition held in connection with the Boys.’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club, Irene Haskall was placed third for calf-rearing in Group I.

PURANGI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On November 16 the Purangi School library wa«s opened by the relieving teacher (Mi»s Burkhardt), who read a letter to the children frqm the chairman, who was unable to be present. The suggestion for a school library originated from the teacher (Miss Webb), who was then on leave to visit the exhibition at Home, and although dance funds mounted up slowly the objective was eventually accomplished with thirtynine books, which the chairman listed and covered before placing them a£ the school. Miss Burkhardt allowed the children to read the books chosen while in school during spare time only, as she wished the originator of the scheme- to see the result of her work in good order and condition.

On December 12 the annual school concert and prize-giving took place, followed by a dance. The first part_of the programme consisted of items by the school children, which showed very careful training by the teacher. The items consisted of songs, dances, chorus, and a recitation by Jack Kilminster also Cecil Fletcher, who had to respond to an encore. During the nterval, after a few’ words to the pupils, the chairman distributed the prizes, after which the concert proceeded as follows: —Song, Burkhardt; monologue, Mr. Cameron, “Tarata”; song. Mrs. N. B. Fletcher; song, Mr. and Mrs. Young, Pukeho. AH had to respond to an encore. Mr. Jack Mackie’-s recitation was well received after which the Purangi artists, consisting of Miss Burkhardt, Miss Earsen, Miss Una Webb, Mr. Ivor Webb, and Mr. Crapper, treated the audience to a taste of “Bashful John’s Blunders,” an anrtising incident causing rounds of laughter, after which “God Save the King” was sung. After the concert the chairman, on behalf of the committee and settlers, extended a hearty welcome to Miss Webb on her return, and thanked all who had helped to make the con-

cert a success. The floor was then cleared for dancing, after which supper was handed round. Mr. Rex Larsen (piano) and Miss Larsen (violin) supplied the dance music. Miss Robb having lent her piano for the occasion. Mrs. N. B. Fletcher played an extra. At 2.30 a.m. all turned homeward after having spent a very enjoyable evening. WHAREHUIA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Stanley School Committee this year introduced a new feature at the annual break-up. They decided that instead of asking the children to entertain as usual and reward them by books they would invite Father Christmas to visit the children which lie duly did. laden with beautiful gifts for every child in the school ami district. The chairman (Mr. W. Hosking) presented the attendance prizes as follows: Full attendance.—Standard VI: Rita Phillips. Standard V: William Mclver. Standard IV; Horace Phillips. One day absent.—- Standard VI : Gordon Phillips. Standard V: Ernest Webb. Standard 1: Archibald Alclver. Two days absent.—Standard IV: Gwennie Hosking. Standard III: \\’illic Phillips. Special prizes donated by Miss O’Shea. —Annie Boltin, essay; Archie Mclver, writing. The following programme was contributed by pupils;—Motoring Mottoes, senior boys; Trials of a School Teacher, Joyce Wilklon and Willie Mclver; The Little Milliners, senior girls; The Socialists. Charles Bell and Wilfred Newland; The Dozy Song, junior hoys.