VISIT TO WELLINGTON

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 121, 9 February 1940, Page 5

VISIT TO WELLINGTON

POROPORO NATIVE CHILDREN

THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

The Poroporo school children who recently visited the Exhibition in Wellington had an experience that they Avill never forget. Kverv minute of their waking hours was crammed full of interest Avhich shone in their faces with a brilliance most pleasing to sec. With their teachers they were ac eommodated at the NeAvtown school which had been converted to a hostel AA'ilh cooking facilities and staff duly installed. Three wliolc days and one evening Averc spent at the Exhibition and Avhile they displayed a very keen interest in the many wonderful exhibits, they proved themselves children after all in the quest for thrills in Playland. The children were invited to broadcast from 2YA during the children's hour on Thursday and their work Avas so appreciated by the staff of the studio, that ihey avcvc asked to broadcast a programme from the Exhibition on the Saturday. Ihis was impossible as the party Avas due to leave on li'day,

Friday morning saw the children down in the Capital City. The> called at the Government Buildings and were welcomed by their own school inspectors, who secured permission for the party to visit the House of Parliament. Looking very smart, the girls in purple gyms, and grey skirts, the boys in navy blue, they marched across the road in two's and were met at the library entrance. A guide was kindly supplied and he led the party from place to place, keeping the children

interested with his ready tongue. No place was barred—no secret withheld. In the House of Representatives Mary Nuku was invited to sit in the speaker's chair; Peter Kendall to occupy the Prime Minister's place. They also gazed with admiration on the bench occupied by Mr Hultquist. Later the children were taken to (several tall buildings where they rode in the lifts. The escalator in the D.I.C. buildings.did not escape their attention and it was amusing to see them rushing down the stairs to make another ascent. A ride to the top of Kelburn on the cable cars was also included in the morning's activity and after dinner, a halfhour in Woohvorth's completed the day's outing. They were received most kindly everywhere and their conduct was

such as to bring credit to their school and district.