LITTLE RIVER ANNUAL SCHOOL TREAT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 156, 15 January 1878, Page 2

LITTLE RIVER ANNUAL SCHOOL TREAT.

On Wednesday, Jan.'2, the annual treat was given to the children, at the school, Little River.

In the afternoon, under the direction of Messrs A. Degg, Jno. Reynolds, Radford, and Horniblow, faces were arranged for the boys and also for the girls, the prizes being pocket knives, boxes of figs, and sweetmeats, lockets being substituted for pocket knives in the girls' races.

Within the school, preparations were being made for the • traat, and at six, o'clock all was ready. The tables were provided and provisioned by Mrs Jas. Reynolds, Mrs Jno. Reynolds, Mrs'G. R: Jobliri, and Mr A. Degg, and the aspect of the room was very attractive. The tables extonded the length of the schoolroom, and the eatable®

upon them. After the children had regaled themselves to the fullest extent of their wishes, they proceeded again to the playground, and the tables were re-arranged and replenished for'the refreshment ot children of an older growth. At the conclusion of the repast, preparations were made for the prize giving. At one end of the room, for the purpose of getting increased accommodation, temporary seats were erected ; at the other end was a raised platform, with a table thereon, bearing the children's prizes. The room was quickly filled. Among those present was Mrs Jas. Joblin, of UndermountCottage, mother of Mr Geo. R. Joblin, of Pilgrim's Hatch, and the oldest inhabitant of Little River ,* and, from the number of babies present, it would be reasonable to assume that the youngest inhabitant was not absent, but conclusive evidence of this was not obtained. The proceedings commenced by Mr Geo. R. Joblin being called to the chair, when he and Mr Westropp ascended the stage.

Mr Joblin said he was extremely gratified to see so many showing an interest in the day's proceedings. The Committee of the school, having ascertained that the Government Inspector could not examine the children till March, and being of opinion that the prizes for proficiency should be based on his examination—that is to say, that his report should guide them in the award and distribution of prizes, were apprehensive that the children's annual treat and the distribution of prizes would have to be deferred. This, the Committee felt, would cause much disappointment to the children, as in the Christmas holidays" a treat and prizes were always expected. To enable them to do this they had solicited subscriptions, and the result was the attainment of the excellent prizes lying on the table. It afforded the Committee the greatest pleasure to see so large a number present, as it evinced an interest in the progress of the children, which was very encouraging to them and also the master. With reference to the education of the people, for years their successive Governments had done next to nothing. Great attention and expense had been given and incurred in improving horses, cattle, and sheep, and such efforts were commendable, but the culture of our'future men and women was much more important, and should never have been neglected, and the best way to -effect that was by improving our boys and girls, and that was a matter of more moment than the improvement of horses and cattle. There was evidence, however, that better times were come, and still better ones coming. The large attentendance- there that evening was a sign, and a still better sign was the excellent Education Bill of Mr Bowen that had lately become law. With these observations be would revert to the other proceedings of the evening. These would consist of readings, recitations, and singing by the children, while some of their young men had kindly consented to contribute to tbe interest of the occasion by giving selections of music. .

The following programme was then gone through:—-

Overture, by Messrs F. Bracey, Jacobsen, H. and J. Reynolds (the Little River band) • song, by the children ; recitation, " Mary Queen of Scots," Miss A. Reynolds ; reading, Master C. - Aschman; duet from " Lucrezia Borgia," band; Hymn, the children; recitation, "Somebody's darling." Miss M. Westropp ; reading, Master E. Reynolds; march, from " Norma," band; recitation from Shakespeare, Masters C. Allan and A. Burrell ,* reading, Miss M. Westropp ; overture, band ; hymn, " Come to the Saviour ;" recitation, " May Queen," Miss R. Munro ; reading, Master Clunie Allan ; overture, band ; song, " Now's the time for merry play," children ; recita tio.n, " Boadicea," Master E. Reynolds ; song, lt Good night," by children.

After this, the prizes were distributed by the Chairman. The Committee had only awarded prizes for proficiency in yriting and mapping, as in these arts the superiority of those entitled to the pfizes was beyond dispute. :

Miss Jk Reynolds was then called, and received a writing desk as first prize for writing; Master George Gilliatt, second prize for writing, a writing desk.

The first and- second prizes for mapping consisted of two excellent atlases, of which one was awarded to Arthur Burrell, as first prize, and one to George Gilliatt***-*' second prize. /. As good conduct prizes, nine books were given, and they wove awarded to—l, Annie Reynolds; 2, Kitty Munro; 3, William Neils on ; _, Alice Tyson ; 5, Ethel Smith ; 6, Lena Sanderson ; 7, Francis Jacobsen ; 8, Lizzy Fulton. Also, to Clunie Allan, a book from Mr Chas. Watkins, of Akaroa.

To each of the children receiving a prize some few words were addressed.

Tbe Chairman then produced two cricket bats and two bails. These, he said, were of the best description, and were presented to all the boys of the school, who had better appoint a captain to take charge of them. In addition to this, he (the Chair man) had provided some special prizes for good attendance, and he awarded them on his own responsibility. He had taken into consideration the tabulated statement showing tbe number of attendances of each pupil, and the distance each had to walk to reach the school, for the children must bear in mind that there was more merit in one of them attending 300 times in a season who came a distance of two or three miles than in 350 attendances of one'who lived near the school. The books he had provided were good, as he wished to encourage better actendance than had heretofore existed. Good schools would effect little if good attendance was not secured. The first prize was awarded to Lena Laurie ; 2, Arthur" Smith ; .3, Fred. Tyson * 4, Donald Tyson ; 5, C. Chapman.

The prizes having been given, the Chairman thanked. the ladies and gentlemen present for their attendance, and the playing of the National Anthem concluded the meeting.