INGLEWOOD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8664, 28 December 1889, Page 4

INGLEWOOD.

(from oor own correspondent.)

December 23. — The annual fete of the ; children attending the schools of the Inglewood district was hold in the Recreation Grounds on Friday. There was a very large gathering of adults and children. There had been a race or two pevious to my arrival on the ground. The I lirst that ran when I was present was as follows :—: — * t Boys race, under 10 years old, 10 started.— T. Brough, 1; A. Laing, 2. All girls under 12 years, 12 started. — A. Pearn, 1 ; M. Whitohouse, a good 2. All boys under 12 years, 13 started. — E. Lever, 1 ; G. Drake, ag-ood 2. Girls under 13 years, 12 started. — E. Hunter. 1 ; 1». Thomas, 2. The prize for this race was awarded to Miss Thomas, | Miss Hunter not having complied with the conditions of going round the gentleman who stood as a mark. One little girl, whose name I do not know, would have j had a good show but, unfortunately, she fell and rolled over and had to retire from the contest. All boys under 13 years, 12 started. — J. Taylor, 1 ; T. Brough, 2. All girls under 10 years, 14 started. — G. Hynes, 1 ; B. Crozier, 2. All boys under 14 years. — J. Burges, 1 ; T. Brough, 2. All girls above 14 years, 4 started. — A. Laing, 1 ; N. Clare. 2. All hoys above 14 years, 7 started. — J. Corney, 1 ; J. Hintz, 2. A skipping match to see who could continue the longest. — A. Lile, 103 times, won. Three-legged race for all boys under 14 years, 8 couples started. — A. Laing and T. Brough, 1 ; three-legged race, all boys under 11 years, 5 couples started. — J. Goller and T. Lawson, 1. The next was what is called a wheelbarrow race (I should call it a frog race). — G. Lamb and W. Dymondf 1 (Dymond was the barrow, and Lamb held the handles — legs); J. Brough and A. Laing, 2. This was rather a laughable race, as a number of barrows rolled over and over several times. There was a first-rate table, well attended by young ladies, on the ground, and young and old did ample justice to the good things on it. The teachers, as well as the School Committee, deserve credit for the manner in which they carried out the programme. The Inglewood Brass Band was in attendance during the day, and played the following pieces of music : — Quickstep, "Jubilee;" polka, cornet solo, "Prince Bluecap;" quadrille, "Rosalinda;" fantasia, " Gleam of Sunshine;" aria, "Gertrude;" valse, "Summer Begun;" march, "Black Prince;" polka, "As you like it;" Lancers, " Merry Songs;" march, "Eight away," polka, " Summer Flowers;" God save the Queen. These pieces, it was remarked by several persons present, were well played, the Band having improved wonderfully under the tuition of Mr G. Marsh. At 7.30 p.m. the Town Hall was lit up, and in a very short time was so full that it was most difficult for the committee to find seats for all. Just as the curtain was being drawn up some youngsters in the rear began whistling. Mr R. Stevens, the Chairman of the School Committee, came forward on the stage, and said that the whistling was most objectionable, and he trusted that the Inglewood boys would be more orderly. These few words had the desired effect, and all went well after- • wards. The following was the programme: Piano duet by Misses Ida and Minnie Dymond, and by Mesdames Brown and Newland ; vocal duets by Mrs T. Drake, junr., and Miss Nixon ; recitation by six pupils of the Wortley Road School (on composition); song by Mrs Guy. Here I must make special mention, as I have formerly done of Mrs Thomas Drake's song. Mrs Guy is certainly an excellent singer, evey word being articulated in a manner that proves she has been well trained, and I am glad to say that she is an addition to our district of no mean order, and I trust that we shall hear her often. Miss Newland also sang well. A glee by the Inglewood Glee Club was also well executed under the conductorship of Mr Shawcross. I hope they will continue as a Glee Club, as they are a great addition to our local entertainments. Eleven pupils of the Inglewood School then sang "The May Queen." They were nicely dressed, well sized, and sang in excellent time. A recitation by Miss Urry was very well rendered. Mr Mathews sang a song, and Accompanied lumself on his banjo. Then followed a dialogue, in which Miss Amy Pearn and Masters Broyle, Urry, and Coomber took part. This was gone through without a single mistake. A recitation was given by Mr Winfield, j teacher of the Norfolk Road School, " The Siege of Lucknow," and although of considerable length not a single word did he miss. The song by Mr Payne pleased everyone. After the Inglewood Glee Club had sung " God Save the Queen," the hall was cleared for the ball, when about forty couples danced until daylight. There was a well-spread supper in the library room, which was furnished by Mr Lile, who catered for the whole affair. Thus ended a very pleasant day for young and old.