PUBLIC SCHOOL PRIZE FUND ENTERTAINMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3511, 30 December 1885, Page 5

PUBLIC SCHOOL PRIZE FUND ENTERTAINMENT.

I The Theatre Hoynl on Pec 11th presented a suootaole not often equalled either within iU walls or elsewhere. It was tho occasion lof tho annual entertainment Id aid of tim

prize fund of the Timaru Public School. The entire programme was sustained by the children themselves, and the building was packed with an enthusiastic audience composed of adrciringparentsandfriends.andalirgesprinkling of critical brothers and sisters. The scene when the curtain rone displayed an assembly of healthy, bright looking children on the stage ; and then, when one glunced round to note the risible gratification of the api reoiutive audience, was calculated to excite an unwonted feeling of pleasure even m the breast of the most misanthropical old bachelor. As to the way m which the programme was carried out it is impofsible to speak too highly. The tinging of tho glees and choruses was m every respect excellent. Time and tune were good, the ohildren sang with the utmost precision, and the enunoiation wasperfect, the audience being able to hear every word that was uttered. Sorno capital bolos were contributed by the following :— Misses Finlayson, N. Dean, Townsend, and ' . Gardner, and Masters D. Thomson, W. West and Wilson. Of these Misses Finlayson and Dean, and Master West received encores. Mi»sSalek and Master Collins each played a pianoforte solo m a very creditable manner A number of recitations were given during the evening, and were interpreted with surprising care and intelligence. It was evident that reading is a subject to which very propaily, a good deal of attention is given at the school. The children as a rule spoke with a refined accent, with correct expression and showed that they thoroughly understood the spirit of their respective pii-ees. On tho whole we should be inclined to give the palm to the girl*, although the boys were not fur behind. The chiof fault of tho latter was 'hat their delivery was, as a rule, much too rapid. The pupils who contributed recitations were - Mißses 6. Webster, F. Harris, A. Haign, M. Balek, Hudson, N. Cameron and B. Htrachan, and Masters Townsend and Shappere. A. few scenes from Shakespeare's " Hint; John " were given towards the close of the entertainment, characters being sustained by tho following :- Misses F. Hill, M. Oxby, M. Kerr, and Masters W. West, C. Musker, i>. Collins D. Thomson, O-. Tbompsnn, J. Mitchell, A. Boys, B. Hill, L. Cabot, and H. Haters An exceedingly interesting feature of the programme was the Kindergarten choruses and exercises by the infants, executed m a etvls that evoked enthusiastic applause. Throughout the evening, m fact, the audience were raostdemonstr.tive m their approbation, and such showers of bouquets descended upon the stape that the little lolks had great difficulty m collecting them all, and staggering away under the loud. The proceedings seemed to he heartily enjoyed by all present. The arrangements were u> der the general superintendence of Mr Wood, the Head Master ; the girls had evidently been most carefully prepared by Mrs Grahame ; to Mr Wnke, who conducted the singing, is due great credit for the success j f his department s while the infants owed to Mrs Nelson and Miss Peters the efficiency which created such a favorable opi ion among the audience. Both the School Committee and the teachers are to be congratulated on the thorough success f the entertainment.