LITTLE AKAROA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 572, 6 January 1882, Page 2

LITTLE AKAROA.

Tuesday last was the day fixed by the school committee and the ladies of the district to give the children their annual treat. Accordingly, on our correspondent's arrival at the place he found it alive with pleasure seekers, the numbers ef which were increased by the arrival of the steamer Titan with over 60 excursionists, who, we are sorry to say could hardly have cho«-en a worse day for their venture, as shortly after starting from Lyttelton a strong northerly wind sprang up from its sleep, causing a commotion on the ocean that was far from pleasant. Indeed, so high did the sea run that the vessel narrowly escaped being swamped. It is to be hoped that they enjoyed themselves, but we are afraid that, judging from their appearance when they landed, that that would be impossible.

At 1 o'clock the children assembled in a paddock kindly lent by Mr Connon. The teacher (Mr Cox) and the committee were to the fore in full force, and the racing both for boys and girls began in ernest. The programme was so lengthy that we have no space to give particulars ; suffice it to say that it was a very good one. Mr Cox gave two special prizes of 5s and 2s 6d for a two hundred yards race, which was won by J. Barker 1, H. Barker 2. Tbe amount of £3 was set aside for three races, but owing to a heavy shower coming the whole of the programme could not be got through, therefore the young women's race could not come off. From the paddock tbe children adjourned to the schoolroom, whore they found a choice selection of all kinds of toys spread out before their eyes. The value of the toys was £6, money collected in the district. The children were classified as follows :—The boys into two classes, and the girls the same, the most valuable toys being selected for the highest classes. The children then had to dr.iw lots, and judging by their eagerness, we really think they enjoyed it more than if they had had a ten shilling book presented to them in the usual way. This part of the performance being finished, the children were taken on the lawn in front of the school where they sat in a ring, and were plentifully supplied with cakes, tarts and other good things, which we must say, although home-made, could hold their own against anything supplied by the best confectioner in Akaroa. It would be absolutely wrong to particularise every lady in the district, as all did their best. The treat was wholly supplied by their kindness. Mrs A. Waghorn. Jun., was appointed to preside, aud well she did her work. Another new feature not usually seen, was the finishing up. As the children, having been satisfied with the good tilings supplied, were again taken into the sub >>l, an nm>teur musician went heartily to work an.l played dance tunes till sundown, during which time the children danced all the usual dances.

Our correspondent, has no hesitation in saying that this was the best school treat got up on the Peninsula this year. We are sorry not to be able to give tbe names of the prize takers according to the classes who expected to get them, out of the stock purchased out of the money given by Mr Montgomery, but unfortunately the books were detained in the vessel by distress of weather, until it was too. lute to give them out that day. We understand that the teacher (Mr Cox) will give them out supplemented by 30s w irtb of special prizes given by the committee, on Monday the 9th inst.