Social at Matakanui.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 372, 25 June 1903, Page 5

Social at Matakanui.

A very enjoyable concert and social, in aid of the school funds, was Held in the Matakanui schoolhouse on Friday evening, 12th inst., when there was a very large attendance, including a number cf visitors from Alexandra, Clyde, and other parts of the district. At the concert, the children, ander the direction of Miss Hoffman and Mr Murphy, went through a number of exercises in excellent style, the best of these items being the wand exercises. Another excellent items was a recitation quartette, " Whet I mean to b*,"

by Masters L Duggan, P Monro, H Brown, and Eric JNaylor; whilst a laughing song by the children fairly [ brought down the house. The teachers had evidently taken great pains in the training of the children, and teachers and children alike are to be complimented on the finished style in which the various items were rendered.

At the social held subsequently, a number of excellently rendered songs were given. Miss Hoffman sang in good style "Ever of thee." Mr A G Murphy sang " Fiona," and as an encore item gave "By the fountain"; the same gentleman alse sang " Motherland " later in the evening, and was again encored. Mrs Hawson sang "The Carnival" (encored), and was followed by Mr J Naylor, who con tributed « Flight of Ages," responding to an encore with "Harvest Days are Over." Dr M'Elroy sang "Queen of the Earth," an<l Mrs Hamilton gave " Cottage by the Sea," each item being received with marked demonstrations of approval. The song " 0 honey, ma honey," given by Mr Frank Murphy, was loudly applauded, and the singer was obliged to respond to an undeniable encore. The accompaniments were played by Misses Hoffman and Huddlestone and Mr Thomas; and the dance music by Mr Jas Truesdale, assisted by Messrs Baiaseo and Thomas.-

During the. evening, the chairman (Mr Geo Naylor) returned thanks on behalf of the school committee to the performers, and to the public for their patronage, especial menWn being made of the visitors who came from great distances. He said that much praise was due to the teachers for the careful manner in which the children had been trained. Mr T. 0. Donnelly also spoke in a similar strain. The proceeds amounted to £l6. and this with the Government subsidy of 24s in the £, will be devoted to the erection of a shelter shed.