ROTO-O-RANGI

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2306, 4 March 1930, Page 3

ROTO-O-RANGI

ANNUAL SCHOOL PICNIC. SUCCESSFUL OUTING. Once again the annual picnic in connection with the Roto-o-rangi' school, held in Mr J. W. Peake’s paddock, adjoining the school grounds, on Saturday last, proved a great success in every way. This annual gathering is more than a school picnic, inasmuch as it is shared by the whole neighbourhood, and is really a district outing. The v.J’olehoarted way in which the Eoto-o-rangi people support and participate in this picnic is most gratifying. Not only dees it give the school children a delightful outing, but it also furnishes an opportunity for parents and friends to assemble and indulge in a day’s amusement and social intercourse, when

friendships arc renewed, and all enjoy a little respite from the daily routine, j Saturday was a beautiful day for such a picnic, but, unfortunately, a j heavy thunderstorm came up suddenly between three and fohr o’clock, which : caused all to hurry to shelter. After the rain a few more events were got oil’, but a small number of the children ’s races were held over, and will be decided at the sclioolgrounds.

It was line to sec how the people had worked to make the day the great success it was. Under the energetic and capable supervision of the chairman of the School Committee (Mr J. W. Peake , the headmaster (Mr Geo. Gutry), and assistant teacher (Miss Holland,', -ho members of the School Committee had made elaborate arrangements for the gathering. The ground was well prepared, a large marquee being erected for the refreshments, and all the details, in connection with the function had been carefully planned. Consequently, there was not a hitch iu the day’s proceedings. The picnicers assembled early in the morning, and all sorts of games, races, etc., were the order of the day. A very lengthy programme of sports events was.got off in good style, keen interest being shown in these, many being of exceptional

interest. Thanks to the generosity of the Roto-o-rangi residents —about £lB was subscribed for the picnic funds—handsome prizes were given for the sports events, and the splendid and ample supply of eatables provided by the ladies was supplemented by sweets, fruit, etc., so that all had a time. Members’ Remarks. Among those present were Mr Lee Martin, M.P. for Raglan, together with Mrs and Miss Martin. During the afternoon the prizes were distributed by Mr Lee Martin, after which that gentleman addressed the assemblage. Mr Martin expressed his keen appreciation of the committee’s invitation to be present that day. It was very nice to meet the boys and girls, and he was also glad to meet the adults from time to time, to get into touch with them and ascertain their wants. Mr Martin said he had not had many opportunities of meeting the Roto-o-rangi peopl*-, and this was the first invitation he had had to meet them. ("A Voice: "That’s our loss, sir!”) The speaker said the duties of a member of Parliament did not consist altogether of endeavouring to get roads and bridges; they should also show interest in social activities of th-e people they represented. Addressing the boys and girls specially, Mr Martin said this was one of the bright days in their school life. The educational system was so designed that the children should not only study assiduously, but that they might also have time for recreation. There was truth in the old maxim that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” but the same rule applied in inverse ratio. They aimed to make the boys and girls four-sided. He hoped the boys and girls would recognise that they had an important part to play in the future of the world, and would endeavour to get all the good they could from their teachers. If they would only do their very best while at school, it would help them materially to be successful in the future. Mr Martin quoted the instance of how an unknown Britisher named Tangye had acquired fame, as an instance of what could be done by application, and urged the children to take the lesson to heart. He specially advised them to strive to reach the top. They could not all get there, of course, but they should not be 'content to strive for ony thing but the very best. By thus working they would gladden the hearts of their teachers and parents, and help fit themselves for their public life. Mr Martin said it was a pleasure for him to attend such gatherings, and he assured his hearers that he would be at all times ready and willing to meet them, and render any assistance within his power. Mr J. W. Peake (chairman of the School Committee) heartily thanked

Mr Martin for'his presence and his excellent address. He hoped the children would profit by Mr Martin’s icmarks and good advice. At Mr Peake’s call, hearty cheers were accorded to Mr, Mrs and Miss Martin. The Sports. Following are the results of the sports events, which created much interest:' — Girls, syrs and under 8: Doris Carson 1, Pearl Carson 2, Elena Russo 3. Boys, syrs and under 8: Jack Cox 1, Ken Walters 2, Andrew March 3. Children under 5: Bob Peake 1, Finest Carson 2, Walter Greaves 3. Girls, Byrs and under 10: Joan Blackman 1, Jessie Clow 2, Joan Solomon 3Boys, Byds and under 10: Walter Diprose 1, Norman Boakes 2, Colin Godfrey 3. Girls, lOyrs and under 12: Nancy Glover 1, Kathleen Walters -2, Betty Glover 3. Tunnel and Overhead Ball, seniors: B team 1, A team 2. Boys, lOyrs and under 12: Terence Dillon 1, Clarence Dally 2, Arnold Johnson 3. Girls’ egg and spoon race: Francis Ru'SO 1, Betty Glover 2, Elsie Johnson 3. Boys, 12yrs and over: Erie Marx 1, Harry Wiles 2, Hector Diprose 3. Girls ,12yrs and over: Frances Russo 1, Winnie Viggers 2, Annie McDonnel L>. Boys’ high jump: Harry Wiles 1, Eric Marx 2, Mick Dillon 3. Boys’ sack race: Eric Marx 1, Norman Boakes 2, Claude Bertelscu 3.

Girls’ sack race: Winnie Viggers 1, Jean Reid 2, Frances Russo 3, Girls’ tliread-the-needle race: Winnie Viggers 1, Frances Russo 2, Elsie Johnson and Nancy Glover 3. Boys’ obstacle race: Max Viggers 1, Arthur Boakes 2, Dominie Russo 3. Girls’ three-legged race: M. Cox and B. Clover 1, Nancy Glover and Frances Russo 2, Elsie Johnson and Winnie Viggers 3. Boys’ three-legged race: D. Russo and M. Dillon 1, 11. Wiles and E. Marx 2, A. Boakes and 0. Dally. 3. R-unning and skipping: G. Glover 1, J. Blackman 2, W. Viggers 3. Single ladies’ race: Miss Kelly 1, Miss Viggers 2, Miss Diprose 2. Married ladies’ race: Mrs Russo 1, Mrs Godfrey 2, Mrs Solomon 3. First prize 501 b bag of flour donated by F.A.C. Boys’ hurdle race: Harry Wiles 1, Clarence Dally 2, Rominie Russo 3. Men’s flat race: T. Gutiy 1, D. Viggers 2, D. Donaldson 3. Married men’s race: J. W. Peake 1, —. Nickle 2, Stepping chain: Kathleen Peake I, Miss Vasey 2.