OUR SCHOOLS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3529, 30 December 1899, Page 4

OUR SCHOOLS.

PLEASANT POINT.

The annual picnic in connection with the Pleasant Point Presbyterian Sunday School was held in the Domain on Boxing-Day. The day was an ideal one for out-door amusement, and there was, consequently, a large attendance of parents and friends of the children. Visitors were present also from the surrounding district, and took a deep interest in the day's amusements. A large staff of the teachers catered to the wants of young and old, and left nothing to be desired in supplying the comforts of the “ inner man.” Races for the children and the various games peculiar to picnics filled in a very pleasant day and were entered into with great zest until a late hour. The pastor, the Eev. Mr White, was present throughout the day, and untiring in his efforts to make everyone enjoy the day s outing.

ALBERT. The Albury School treat was held on Friday with the usual amount of success characteristic of the place. This happy result must have been the more gratifying when the fact is remembered that the three surrounding schools were similarly occupied, a circumstance that suggests that amalgamation should be arranged, so that instead of three local gatherings, a central site might be chosen for the holding of one large gathering for the three districts. .Failing this, different dates might be fixed and members of one school could visit the others. The ladies of the. district provided refreshments in such variety and abundance as showed that the arts of the kitchen had not been a neglected branch of their education, and made it doubtful whether cookery classes could be established with any advantage in the local schools. The elder children who had been entrusted with subscription lists had been very successful, consequently a large assortment of suitable prizes had been provided to be competed for during the day. The day passed off mirthfully, and the dance in the evening was very successful.

OPIHI. On Monday, December 18th/ the termination of the school year in connection with the Opihi school was commemorated by a picnic held in a well-sheltered paddock, kindly placed at the disposal *of the committee by Mr Mee. A spot abounding in facilities for the successful carrying out of sports was chosen in close proximity to a large blue gum plantation. . Splendid weather prevailed, although a southerly breeze which sprang up in the early morning, and continued throughout the day, made it somewhat unpleasant for those not possessing the requisite nimbleness of limb to indulge in suitable exercise. The arrangements were in every respect complete, and reflected great credit on the energy and enterprise of the teacher, Miss Cartwright, as well as her hard-working committee. About noon, one and all, the juveniles especially, regaled themselves heartily on the tempting compounds displayed for the wants of the “ inner man.” After a suitable interval had intervened, racing for useful and beautiful articles was commenced, and continued well on in the afternoon The contests on the whole elicited considerable interest, the more so, as the majority of thoraces were contested with evident determination. As is usually the case, the most interesting event of the day was the ‘‘Married Woman’s Race, which was deservedly won by Mrs Walter Collett after a good race. Numerous games suitable to the occasion were zealously participated in, assisting materially in makihg the afternoon pass pleasantly. The prizes were distributed by the chairman of the school committee, Mr F, O. Matthews. Yet once again at 5 o’clock everybody refreshed themselves, and then wended their way homewards, well pleased with the day’s outing. In the evening a very enjoyable dance was held In the school. A large number was present from all parts of the district. Refreshments were handed round at suitable intervals, while several gentlemen entertained the company with sleight of hand tricks, songs, and recitations. Mr John Campbell was a most capable musician, while Mr Dunnage in the capacity of Master of Ceremonies, was the “right man in the right place.” lor general proficiency every child attending the school received a book of equal value in the respective classes, no notice being taken of merit. Special prizes were given for attendance and popularity. The following are those who received prizes : Primer Evelyn Cunningham, William Barrett. Standard 1,-rWm. Cartwright, D. Cunningham. Standard ll.—Ernest Matthews, Joseph Walker, Laura Smith. Standard lll.—Dorothy Aylmour, Ellen Armstrong. Standard IV.—Jason Cartwright, Flora Matthews, Edith Cunningham. Standard Y.—Gilbert Kerslake, Jas. Liston, Margaret Liston, Wm. Cartwright, Margaret Cunuingham. Standard VI. Walter Matthews, Ellen Cartwright, Chas. Walker. Standard ll.—Jane Cartwright, Isabella Walker, Elizabeth Matthews, Charlotte Matthews,* Margaret Mee, Wm. Smith. Attendance —Girls; Ellen Cartwright; Boys; Jason Cartwright. Most Popular Boy—Chas. Walker. Most Popular Girl—Margaret Cunningham.

TE NGAWAI, The above school held their annual treat on Friday last in a paddock adjacent to the school, and it was in every way a success. The day, though rather dull at first, cleared up.’ and the scholars rolled up in good numbers as the day advanced. A very gratifying and healthy indication of the future well-being of the school, as far as attendance goes, was the fact the fact that among the fifty or so children, all residents, who were treated during the day, no less than thirteen were starters for the “ prospective pupils’ race.” The big billy was a-boiling at H, and after an early luncheon on all sorts of nice*thiffgs, a sports programme was commenced, Mr Clulee acting as handicapper, and so successfully that at the close of the programme there were only two competitors who had not been successful in winning something or other, and all were satisfied with their bonnie prizes. When the little ones .began to tire refreshments. were again distributed, and after these "the prizes foi'*”proficiency in school, and then the prises for the sports. Before dispersing cheers were given by the youngsters for tbeir tes-cher PP-Q-Meredith, and group photographs were taken including the school. In the evening the children of larger growth indulged in a dance in the school till 10.30, when v °ke® of thanks were passed to all who had helped to make the gathering a success, not forgetting those not immediately interested in who had assisted by their presence, and the gathering closed with the children dancing the famous old Sir Roger de Coverley.