ALFORD FOREST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 233, 4 January 1881, Page 2

ALFORD FOREST.

(from OUR OWN CORRESi’ONDENT.)

The annual Main School treat took place on Tuesday last, the weather being favorable for the sports, with the exception of a little wind. Swings for the girls and cricket for the boys were enjoyed until two o’clock, when racing commenced for dress pieces, hats, stockings for the girls, anl hats, shirts, boxes of collars, and pocket knives for the boys. These useful articles were supplemented by miscellaneous toys, lollies, and biscuits, and much amusement was caused by the three* legged race and jumping in sacks. At four o'clock the children had tea, and afterwards their friends, justice being done to the good things bountifully piovided. Then came the chief events of the day, namely, giving away the prizes for the past year by the master, Mr. Henry Knight, who took occasion to call attention to the necessity for parents to encourage children in their home work, more especially in arithmetic, which was generally carelessly passed over in favor of more congenial work. Handsome prizes were then given to each child, hymns and songs were creditably sung, and the day terminated with a dance in the schoolroom for the parents and friends. Thus ended a happy holiday. The Side School treat took place a week previous, prizes being given according to merit A large gathering of friends assembled, and the mistress, Miss Somerset, received great praise for her complete provision for the amusement and entertainment of all. Games, dancing, Ac., were heartily indulged in ; and by the number of little ones hi arms this promises to become a most papulous neighborhood. In the absence of the chairman, Mr. Knight gave away the prizes, calling earnestly upon the parents to assist the children in every way possible, especially in home work, and earnestly asking the children to remember when they had done schooling they had only commenced their education, also to show greater obedience and respect to parents at home than they did to their teachers. The toys not arriving, their division was postponed until the re-opening of the school. Dancing was kept up till an early hour, and everyone seemed delighted.

A thunderstorm of unusual severity broke over the district on the 39th inst , accompanied by excessively vivid lightning. Hail of large size covered tlie ground to the depth of three inches. Happily the storm was confined to this locality, which has very little cropping, but had it extended to the plains great injury would have ensued.