SCHOOL BREAK-UP

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1933, Page 3

SCHOOL BREAK-UP

CELEBRATION AT PATEA.

SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL CONCERT. Completely successful 'in every particular the concert presented by pupils of the Patea public school on Monday attracted a large and appreciative audience. Mr. R. E. Moore, chairman of the Patea. School Committee, before announcing the various items thanked those present for their support and interest. Following the concert presented by the scholars the play, “The Widow’s Victim” was cleverly staged by a cast of local amateurs under the direction of Mr. C. V. Whittington. Items in the school concert included “God Defend New Zealand,” by the senior scholars, and “Lullaby,” a song by the juniors. Songs were given by Arthur Scott, Jack Wills, Kathleen and Audrey Blackman and Athalie and Basil Roots. Other concerted numbers were the “Toymaker’s Dream,” by the pupils of standards 2 and 3, “Quack, Quack, by the infants, and an action song and folk dance by the juniors. The senior girls went through the complicated maze of a folk dance with dainty poise and precision, while the scouts arid cubs gave a clever display of Swedish drill. Accompaniments were played by Mrs. A. A. Carey, Mrs. G. Corbett, Miss J. Sheild and Miss M. Mawhinney. Opportunity was taken by Mr. E. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, to thank the pupils, parents, teachers and the committee for the vast amount of work put into the preparation of the concert. The interest displayed in the children was much appreciated by the board. He also congratulated the head teacher, Mr. W. T. Armstrong, and his staff and pupils on their recent examination successes. The play “The Widow’s Victim,” which was presented in a convincing and pleasing manner, dealt with the amorous aspirations of Mr. Podge, the victim (Mr. I. Harkness) for the hand of the young and attractive widow, Mrs. Rattleton iMiss B. Petersen). The latter character was interpreted with complete understanding, Miss Petersen giving the lengthy dialogue the right note of sophistication without hesitation, ably sustaining the part from curtain to curtain. Mr. I. Harkness played the part of the nervous suitor very convincingly, his polite but nervous advances making him an admirable foil to the widow’s humour. Supporting characters were well played by Miss J. Spurdie (as the maid), Mr. R. Adams (as Jerry, her boy friend), Mrs Twitter (Miss F. Hemingway), and Mr. Twitter (Mr. C. Scott). On the fall of the curtain the party received rounds of applause, the three ladies being presented with bouquets. The play was directed by Mr. C. V. Whittington whose association with the Patea concert platform is spread over many years and his latest production is a repetition of the success that has atijanrltuT his nrovinilfil afforts.