FITZROY SCHOOL CARNIVAL

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16609, 5 December 1919, Page 4

FITZROY SCHOOL CARNIVAL

A SUCCESSFUL AFTERNOON. Thursday afternoon was fine, though windy, tor the Fuzroy School Carnival, and there was a largo gathering or parents and Inonds. Air. Grover, chairman of the School Committee, opened proceedings by a short speech, saying that mo carnival had been organised m order to improve the school grounds, and to build a wall along i-lio iiont of the school. Ho said that lealising tho need for those improvements me committee had called a meeting of ladies to discuss what could bo done. Tho ladies had responded splendidly and ho took that opportunity of thanking them for what they had done. He also thanked Mr. Johnson and his staff. Alter reading an apology from the Mayor (Mr. .1, Clarke), Mr. Grover told tho visitors how welcome they were and hoped they would enjoy tho afternoon.

Mr. S: G. Smith, M.P., then spoke briefly, saying that ho had thought that the only school committee that was really hard up was tho one of which he Was chairman. It appeared, however, that ho was- wrong. He hoped that tho afternoon would bo a success financially, saying that an occasion like tho present was one of the very few times when he believed in profiteering. Mr. P. J. H. White, as representative of the back-blocks schools, also said a few words, congratulating tho school on its progressive policy. Mr. O. Johnson (headmaster), in a short speech, impressed upon the parents present, tho benefit of drill upon the children. Ho said ho knew that drill was considered by some to be a farce. They were going to see fcqthemselves what sort of drill the children did. The display they were giving was just the children’s ordinary drill, at which they had 15 minutes a day, and they could see for themselves what good was likely to accrue from it. Tho drill display was opened by about thirty little girls and boys of Primer 1, under Miss Kawliusou. They marched round the asphalt square keeping time to music and titan impersonated frogs, dwarfs, angry giants and all sorts of animals, thus exercising all their limbs, and keeping their minds on what they were doing. After this Standards 1,2 and 3, under Miss Allen, gave a very creditable exhibition of ordinary drill, and excited great applause, especially when, at tho finish, they cleverly formed tho words THE END.

The next item was a display of dumbbell drill by Primer 3 under Miss Andrews. Then came a wand drill by Standards 1,2 and 3. A feature of most of the drilling was an absence ,of verbal command. The children, having memorised the exorcises in order, took their orders from a whistle. After the interval for afternoon tea an exhibition of club swinging was very creditably given by the senior girls, while some fancy marching by junior girls and boys, under Miss Andrews, was a pleasure to watch, and showed careful training. After this Mr. Johnson’s squad gave a display and earned groat applause. TTio drill, in all classes, is a credit to the instructors and should benefit the children in no small degree.

The winners of tho various competitions wore:—Doll bride: Miss E. Jordan. Ham; Mrs. Kelly. Doll: Mrs. Davis. Camisole: Mrs. Kelly. Nightdress top; Mrs. Grover. Nightdress; Miss E. Andrews. Camisole: Miss E. Gibson. Cake: Mrs. Brosnau and Mrs. E. Burr (equal)—half each. The following are the results of the sports:—High jump; G. Colson (4ft. Him) 1, G. Grover 2, Bicycle (slow): Rich Bates 1, C. Rovell 2. Sack (final); Los. Pycroft 1. I. Hawkins and I). M’Doucall 2. Three-legged; R. Cardloy and Pycroft 1.. Crocodile race: Yardley’s team 1. The various stalls were well filled and did very good business. Following wore the stall-holders:—Plain and fancy; Mesdamos Rcnnoli. Ramson and Monhennet. Produce: Mcsdamcs Andrews, Kibby and Bracegirdle. Sweets: Misses West and Ritchie. Flowers; Misses Oxonhara and Johnston. Icecream: Mesdamos M’Doucall and Jenkins. Aftemon tea: Mesdames Hall, Grover, Chivors, Bishop, Aroa, Carrick, Govenlock and Bint, Misses Bracogirlc, Worn, Colson and Carrington. Fishing pond; Sixth Standard boys. Shooting tube; C. Rovell.

The headmaster, Mr. O. Johnson, supervised tho whole of the entertainments and at the close warmly thanked all those who had contributed to its success, especially mentioning the stallholders, Mrs. Roch, the East End Committee, Mr. Newton King, and the parents and others who had donated produce, etc. It is expected that as the result of this effort a sum approximating £75 will bo available for the improvements. This will not be sufficient to defray tho cost, so that there is ample room for any further donations that may be forwarded to the headmaster.