BLUE SPUR SCHOOL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4819, 5 January 1901, Page 3

BLUE SPUR SCHOOL.

The Blue Spur School broka up for the annual holidays on Thursday, 20th instant. The occasion was signalized by a complimentary concert tendered to parents and friends by the pupils of the school. During the day the usual school task 3 were put aside, and an impromptu picnic on the school grounds enjoyed, closing with a distribution of lollies kindly supplied by the school committee. Fart of the proceedings took the form of hoisting and saluting the new flag supplied by the committee, after which the National Anthem was sung and three rousing cheers given. In the evening the entertainment given by the children attracted such a numerous audience that the ' sitting room of the school building was taxed to the utmost. Judging by the vociferous applause the children may be said to have acquitted themselves excellently, and their songs, recitations, and dramatic pieces given in a way which reflected the greatest credit on themselves and their instructors. The audienoa seemed most taken up with the pieces done in character especially those of the infants division, and 11 Little Frisky," "Laying a Trap," and " The Bootblacks." The last fairly brought down the house, which as the performers marched round to the familiar tune of (Soldiers of the Queen raised spontaneously that rousing chorus. It should be mentioned that the children were assisted by two ex-pupils (Miss B. Campboll and Miss M. Barr) who sung in good style a solo apiece. The concert was closed with the recitation, " The Absentminded Beggar," very nioely by one of the young laiies of the upper standards. The following additional verse was oomposed and spoken specially for the occasion. Now, pareuts, friends, and neighbours you have seen our little show. You have heard us sing our songs and speak our pieces, Pray allow Mis to remind you that we do not wish to Mow But you know a little praise will always please us, ' ■ \ "We are absent-minded beggars ourselves just now and then And sometimes we would rather play than work, But we'll try to be good women and honest deceat men And never at the front our duty shirk. Your boys, your girls, heirs to the new-born age Sons of the iniue aud farm, daughters of house and borne, Each of us doing our country's work, and haven't we earned a wage ? A Christmas box for your credit's sake ! so pay ! pay! pay! This appeal produced a sum of £1 12 a. which will be expended in obtaining prizes etc. Mr MoHattie in a complimentary speech to the children, reminded them of their duty to the flag, and prpposed votes of thanks to the performers, their teachers, and to Mrs Tyndall for njQ o{ piano and. acoompftnimenti which

were carried by acclamation. The singing of the National Anthem closed the proceedings. The school will re-open on February 4th 1901.