LITTLE RIVER SCHOOL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 608, 12 May 1882, Page 2

LITTLE RIVER SCHOOL.

On Wednesday evening, 10th inst, an entertainment was given in the schoolroom, under the auspices of the School Committee. Half-past seven was the hour appointed for the commencement of the proceedings, but long before this the building was full. „ Mr Coop, Chairman of the School Committee, presided. He stated in the beginning, that in the last winter the water from the river had overflowed its banks and invaded the school ground, washing away part of the fence in its course. This fence the committee took measures to have replaced. They had also caused the play ground to be levelled, and some trees received from the Akaroa Domain Board to be planted. When the amount of the debt, incurred by these works, was ascertained, particulars had been forwarded to the Board of Education, and repealed applications had been made for the money, but the Board repudiated the claim, on the ground that their consent had not been obtained before the debt had been incurred, the expenditure being therefore unauthorised. Under the circumstances the committee found themselves in a dilemma, having incurred a debt, without having any legitimate means of liquidating the same. They had, therefore, devised this entertainment as a means of raising the needed funds. The mueical ladies of the place had readily and willingly responded to the appeal made to them, and from the large number present it was evident the object the Committee had in view was attained. He then called upon Mrs Buchanan, who went to the piano and gave an overture excellently. The following ia the programme :— Part I—Overture, •' II Tancredi," Mrs Buchanan ; duet, " Far Away," Mrs John Reynolds and Miss Alice Coop ; reading, Mackay's Ode, " Burial of Balder," Mr G , R. Joblin ; song, " Old Obadiah and Young Obadiah," Mr Proudlock. recitation, "Burial of Sir John Moore," Mr FI. E. Tyson; piano solo, " Home, Sweet Home," Miss Alice Coop; song, Patrick, Mind the Baby," Mr S. Harris ; piano solo, ''Carnival of Venice," Mrs Hay; reading, Tennyson's Ode, "Siege of Lncknow," Captain John Curling; song, " Over the Garden Wall," Mr Charterris ; song,'' Pirate King," Mr Fergusson;'* Irish Schoolmaster and Pupils" (in character), Mr Proudlock and school children. Part 2—Overture, Mrs Buchanan ; song. " Old Identity," W. Greenland ; piano solo, "My Bud in Heaven," Mrs John Reynolds ; reading, " Story of a Stowaway," Mr Thos. Holt; duet, "The Two Cousins," Mrs John Reynolds and Miss Alice Coop ; song, "James Stammers" (encore, "The Bull won't Bellow"), Mr Charterris; duet, "Larboard Watch," Mr and Mrs John Reynolds ; song," The Cautious Man," Mr Fergusson; piano solo, " She Wore a Wreath of Roses," Miss Alice Coop ; " Do. Re, Mi," children and master; "duet, "Tired," Mrs John Reynolds and Miss Alice Coop.

The whole of the procebdings went smoothly and without any interruption. The audience were prompt and hearty in bestowing their applause but not discriminating. Mr Proudiock's "Obadiah " was amusingly rendered and Mrs Hay merits favorable comment lor her " Carnival of Venice." Of the songs by the ladies "The Two Cousins." duett, by Mrs Jno. Reynolds and Miss Alice Coop, and "My Bud in Heaven," by Mrs Jno Reynolds, were given in a manner that could not be otherwise than productive of pleasure. Captain Curling's reading of the "Siege of Lncknmv , ' was emphatic and impressive and well deserved the applause accorded. Mr Charterris , song "James Stammers" appeared to please mightily a large section of the audience, end in response to an encore he gave "Theßu'l won't Bellow. Mr Fergusson, from Kenlook, also sang "The Cautions Man" very well indeed. " Patrick Mind the Baby " was productive of laughter and so was " The Irish Schoolmaster ar.d his Pupils." The lattsr on being ordered to lake their seats squatted heavily on the Moor, while their wearing appearel appeared to bear as many patches as there are days in the year, distinguished by as many colors as Joseph's coat. At about half past 10 o'clock the last item on the programme, "Tired." was given by Mrs Jno. Reynolds nnd Miss Alice Coop. The Chairman then proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies and the others to whose efforts the Committee were indebted for the success of the entertainment. Of course this proposal was responded to with acclammution.

Mr Tyson then proposed thanks to the Chairman, and thus terminated the largest, most orderly and most successful meeting of the kind that has ever taken place at Little River. About £12 worth of tickets were sold.