BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 162, 18 July 1935, Page 5

BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

For School Radio Fund TALK ON LIFE OF GANNETS CONCERT PROGRAMME An illustrated lecture, two short films, and a concert programme made up a full measure of excellent entertainment for those who attended the Municipal Theatre last evening. A large audience thoroughly enjoyed the programme, which was arranged by the Home and School League in aid of the School Radio Fund.

The gannets of Cape Kidnappers are one of the most interesting natural features of New Zealand, yet residents of Hawke’s Bay on the whole probably know very little about them. Mr. Horace S. Cottrell’s lecture on the birds was, therefore, distinctly educative, and more, it was admirable popular entertainment. The lecture, delivered in a bright conversational style and illustrated with coloured slides, most of which were from Mr. Cottrell’s own photographs, took the audience on a personally conducted tour of the Cape.

The lift history of the gannets was described and illustrated from the egg to the adult bird. Then other species of the “Sula” family were shown and the audience taken to other parts of the world frequented by the gannets and their cousins the boobies.

The film showed the birds nesting, feeding their chicks and going about their affairs, apparently unconcerned of the proximity of the motion picture camera.

The speaker did not confine himself to the gannets, but also dealt with the history, geology and mythology of Cape Kidnappers, and the adventures of various parties who had not paid due attention to the use of the tide when making the trip. Mr. Cottrell said that Cape Kidnappers was the only place in the world where the gannets nested on the mainland. He advised prospective visitors that the best time to make the trip was in December, January or February.

Two fine films made available by courtesy of the New Zealand Government Tourist Bureau, “Ka Mate,” scenes from the life of the Maori, and “The Golden Lure,” a pictorial record of a gold-seeking trip in the Lake Wakatipu district, were screened.

The concert programme given by the pupils of Mrs. W .McKenzie and assisting artists was of a uniformly high standard. The items, as follow, were all well received:—

Dance ensemble, “The Pixies’ -Picnic”; Fairy Queen, Betty McLean; Pixies, Jean Johnston, Isobel Jamieson, Valerie Hill and Nola Begley. Song, “She is Far from the Land,” Miss M. Mace.

Character dance, “The Little Coster,” Girvin Cassidy. Recital, “A Boy’s Rights,” John McLean. Dance duo, “Bellboy and Maid,” Cherry Raymond and Betty McLean. Recital, “Bridget McSweeney,” Miss G. Major. Dance duo, “Killarney,” Isobel Munro and Girvin Cassidy. < Cornet, solo, "A Perfect Day,” Mr. J J. Denne. I Dance solo, “Mickey the Mouse,” 1 Miss C. Chisholm. Recital, “A Pain in My Sawdust,” Valerie Hill. Dance solo, “Little Quaker Sinner,” Betty McLean. Ventriloqual sketch, “Sammy Says So,” Mr. I. Jacobsen. International reel, The Company. Accompaniments were ably played by Mrs. Collett, Miss King, Miss Johnstone and Mr. W. McKenzie (pipes). Selections by the Waipukurau Orchestra, under Mr. E. Malkin, were also greatly enjoyed. •