AHITITI-TONGAPORUTU

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1931, Page 10

AHITITI-TONGAPORUTU

GATHERINGS TOR THE CHILDREN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The breaking-up ceremony of the Ahititi school was held in the Tongaporutu hall on Friday evening. The hall was crowded with parents and visitors. Early in the evening Santa Claus arrived and presented every child in the district with a gift from a well-ladon Christmas tree. There were a few small prizes for the adults, the opening of which caused much laughter. Later the chairman (Mr. 0. assisted by Miss Fuller, presented each school child with a book. A proficiency prize was won by Noel Collins. Sweets were also distributed among the children. Dance music was supplied by Miss Eileen O’Sullivan, extras being played by Misses Cannell and N. Hammond and Mr. Kendrick. A competition was won by Mr. Charles Baker. The masters of ceremonies w’ere Messrs. Orudis and Peter-

sen. The Okau hall was packed on .Tuesday evening for the breaking-up ceremony of the Okau school, a fancy dress dance being held. The march, led by Bill Heron and Topsy Rattenbury, was a fitting introduction to a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment. The folk dances, “Black Nag,” “Sir Roger de Coverley” and “Rufty Tufty,” were well done by the pupils. A recitation by little Nellie Carr was well received. A.sword dance by Topsy Rattenbury was also a pleasing item. A polka competition was won by Eileen and Terence Carr, and a waltzing competition was won by Joan and Ray O’Donnell. Two pianoforte solos were nleasingly rendered by Miss Alice Shaw. The judges of the fancy costumes, Mesdames Townley, Lewis and Jimmieson, had a difficult task in awarding the prizes. The awards were: 'Girls, Eileen Bezzant, fancy, 1; Joan O’Donnell, rose, 2; boys, Terrence Carr, Indian chief, I; Henry Holman, Dutch boy, 2. Later Father Christmas arrived in tire hall and presented each child in the district with a gift from a neatly arranged Christmas tree. The chairman (Mr. Bezzant) assisted by the teacher (Mr. Calvert) presented a book to each scholar, a proficiency prize being awarded to. Doris Anderson. Medals won at the inter-school sports were also presented to Doris Anderson (senior girl champion), and to Bill Heron'(junior boy champion). Music for the children’s entertainment and for the dance that followed was provided by Miss O’Sullivan, extras being played by Mesdames Cannell and Gray and Messrs. Bray and Kendrick. Mr. C. G. Calvert was master of ceremonies. A delicious supper was provided by the ladies of the . .The Tongaporiitu beach is becoming more popular each year as a holiday resort, judging by the number of camps appearing already Jit the camping site. The seaside committee has done valuable work in making the camping ground convenient. This is an ideal spot foi holiday-makers as such sports as tennis, fishing and boating are available. The following visitors are at present camping at the site: 3ar. and Mrs. E. Bary (Palmerston North), Mr. and Mrs. Farquhar (Wellington), Mr. and Mrs. McKeon (New Plymouth), Mr. and Mrs. Couchman (New Plymouth), Mr. and Mrs. J- Joll (New Plymouth). Mr. Couchman, speeding up and down the Tongaporutu River, in his outboard motor-boat, Miss Texaco, caused much interest and excitement to 'those who happened to be in the vicinity of the township during the week-end. This is the first outboard motor that has been on the river. The spectators were thrilled on more than one occasion at Mr. Couchman’s skilful handling of the boat at such a highspeed. Misses Fuller, Soutlicott and Collins have left on * motoring tour of the North Island. Mrs. ’ Wood, Inglewood, and Mrs. Meyer, Wanganui, are the guests of Mrs. W. S.'. Burton. '■’Mr. and Mrs. Adams and Mr. and Mrs. . McDowell leave this week for Auckland. . Mr! Ken. Fuller, Auckland, and Mrs. Page and daughters, Fitzroy, are the guests of Mrs. E. Southcott. ° Mrs. Sydney Burton has returned from a -visit to Wanganui. Mrs. Hutchins, Mimi, has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. J. Howell. Mr. and Mrs. D. Riddell are motoring through to Auckland on Thursday.