OAKURA PRIZE-GIVING

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1926, Page 9

OAKURA PRIZE-GIVING

LARGE GATHERING IN HALL. PANTOMIME BY CHILDREN. The annual presentation of prizes to the pupils of the Oakura school took place in the public hall last night, before a very large gathering of parents »nd residents of th© district. The children themselves had a present to give, however, and of very good quality. Their contribution was a pantomime ‘Dame Durden’s School,” performed in iostume, with considerable ability. It was full of bright choruses and solos ind humorous dialogue, and the small Actors and actresses acquitted themselves in a manner that would have been creditable to performers of more mature years. The story concerned the kidnapping of some lazy children, and their enforced search for the blue flower of contentment. They were brought into the presence of the Fairy Queen and her attendants and made to mend their ways before being returned to their homes. As Dame Durden, Audrey Smith proved that she possessed a pleasing and promising stage personality and a good voice in her several solos. Much amusement was caused by her arrival on the stage in a clothes basket drawn by a rope. Doris Haskell was the Fairy Queen, and had many songs to sing. Then there was a bright little Dutch boy known as Tip Tight, but whose real name was Leo Jans. And tbe two naughtiest children of all were Daphne Price and Jack Ruslin. They were naughty, too. The accompaniments were played by Mr. C. J. Harris. Before the presentation of prizes, Mr. C. J. Harris, chairman of the school committee, thanked the children for the very fine concert they had given, and Mr. Mahon, Mrs. Mahon, Miss Jefcoate, and the ladies for their work in training the children. He felt the items had been greatly improved because the school owned a piano. It was indeed a great asset. Mr. Harris said he would take the opportunity of telling the residents something about the work at the school, as ‘hey did not seem to be able to get a louseholders’ meeting. The committee aad made an additional path and put up in extra shed, besides doing other work. A school library had been started, and it was hoped to obtain a number of books of an educational character for the children. Mr. Harris said he would like publicly to thank the members of the committee for their assistance. All their work for the school had been of a voluntary character. He thanked the donors of special prizes and the ladies who were providing the supper that night. Mr. W. K. Morris, a member of the committee, mentioned specially the indebtedness of the community to Mrs Harris, who had, at very short notice, agreed to play the accompaniments that evening. She had had only one practice. Mr. J. C. Bell then presented prizes as follow: —Primer HI: Rodney Smith 1, Colin Cochran 2. Arthur Weir 3. Standard I. Bruce Cochran 1, Douglas Mace 2, Roy Bell progress. Standard II: Nola Mace 1. Daphne Price 2, Alfie Drake progress. Standard III: Fay Bell 1, Leo Jans 2, Lance Price progress, Leslie Hussif special for arithmetic. Standard IV.: David McGill and Russell Price, equal, 1, lan Cochran progress. Standard V: Andrey Smith 1, Ron Haskell 2. Mary Thomas progress. Standard VI: Willie Telford 1, Laurie Price progress. Special prizes:—Most popular girl, Dolly Price; most manly boy, Willie Telford: essay on loyalty, Willie Telford. Attendance prizes:—Standard IT: Alfred Drake and Daphne Price. Standard IV: Doris Haskell and Russell Price. Standard V: Audrey Smith, Ron Haskell and Lionel Weir. Standard VI: Laurie Price and Willie Telford. AH the children in the primer classes received gifts. The children were proxided with supper wh'le the floor was cleared for a dance. Messrs. C. West and W. Toomey acted as M.C.’s. and the music was supplied by Mr. P. Meredith.