OKATO SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 9

OKATO SCHOOL

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT. The Hempton Hall, Okato, was crowded with an enthusiastic gathering of pupils and parents last evening, when a concert and dance was held to mark the conclusion of the school year. Before the concert commenced the opportunity was taken to make a presentation to Miss Gwen Day upon the eve of her departure from the Okato School to take up a position on. the staff of the Girls’ High School at New Plymouth. Mise Myra Johnson, in presenting Miss Day with a solid leather travelling trunk on behalf of the pupils of the school, said the pupils wished to express their sorrow at Miss Day’s departure. Since her arrival at Okato the school children had learned not only to respect her as their teacher, but to love her as their friend. Miss Day had always been ready to console them in their troubles, and to smooth over their difficulties, whilst in their games her enthusiasm was greater than their own. Bedause of these things and because they wished to J>e remembered by her at all times, they asked her to accept from them a token of their esteem, and with it the assurance that they could never forget the happiness she had given them during her stay. The programme opened with an item entitled “Fairy Play.” It consisted of a series of pretty- scenes depicting the choosing by a daintily-garbed elfln band of their fairy queen. June Power, as “Starlight,” played the leading role exceedingly well. The part of “Daisy” was taken by Aileen Larsen, the part of “Blossom” by Jessie Minchin, and of “Fernleaf” by Clarrie Roebuck. The remainder of the programme included a recitation given by Jock Power, scarf drill; an action song; a Maori song led by David Mann; a song and dance, entitled “Gipsies;” “Dream Man,” an action song by Eileen Larsen and chorus; “Milkmaids,” a ehorus rendered by juvenile milkmaids furnished with milk pails and stools; “Butterfly Land,” a song by Joan Webb and Ernest Moore; a recitation by Frank Larsen; a lullaby song; “Three Kings of the Orient,” by Edgar Ashley, Irwin Tapp and Wilfrid Ashley; an item, “Chinese Umbrellas;” an action song, “Jack Tar;” and a recitation, “Temeraire,” by Ernest Moore. The programme concluded with an item entitled “Flower Festival,” which created a pretty effect with its ehorus of children in white dresses and carrying garlands of multi-coloured flowers. Special credit for the success of the function is due to Mrs. Clyde Putt, who went to considerable trouble in making the artificial flowers, and to Mr. Pearson, who- gave unsparingly of his time and energy. The teachers at the school are to be congratulated upon the splendid result of their efforts in training the children for the concert. At the conclusion supper was dispensed, after which, dancing was indulged in until a late hour. Pearson’s orchestra provided the musie. The proceeds of the concert and dance, which amounted to about £3O, are to be utilised in establishing a library at the school.