Y.N.Z. CLUB PARTY FROM WHAKATANE VISITS AUCKLAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 64, 14 March 1949, Page 5

Y.N.Z. CLUB PARTY FROM WHAKATANE VISITS AUCKLAND

Whatever Whakatane residents may feel about the behaviour of their children at home many people between here and Auckland have met 53 of them and are proud to have become acquainted with them. Recently a bunch of the local youngsters, all members of the Whakatane Young New Zealanders’ Club, travelled to Auckland to put on a concert that they recently performed in Whakatane. With Mr A. R. Chapman in charge, the party left on Friday, March 4 and returned the following Sunday. Main object of the tour was to put the concert before an Auckland audience of Young New Zealanders from the city. It was an outstanding success and there were many favourable comments from people who had not expected such a variety of good talent from a “bunch of country kids.” Competitions were held amongst three clubs representing Auckland, Thames and Whakatane. In the skipping the Whakatane competitor, Joan Bridger, completely outclassed her opponents to win in three different attempts of a half minute each. She skipped 84, 76 and 78 revolutions for the three runs.

The boys took part in the tug-o-war. Apparently Whakatane did not know their strength. On the first tug they whipped the other team off their feet and ended by breaking the rope. This contest was left undecided.

The party was taken on sightseeing tours of Auckland and on the Saturday night while viewing, the city from the top of Mt’Eden, they entertained a large crowd who happened to be there too with Maori action songs. Visits were paid to the zbo and to the speedway at Western Springs Stadium and on the Sunday a visit was made to the home of Mr R. J. Kerridge. A short party was held there and the visitors left to come home early in the afternoon. During the trip the party met with much kindness. At Hamilton local people provided them with free cups of tea. The hotel management in Auckland placed a lounge at the disposal of the party during their stay and when they left to return Mrs D. Cairns, who was chaperon, was, complimented by the manager on the behaviour and conduct of the children.

The trip to Auckland for the children, beside being a short holiday, was of much value on the educational side. Frequent stops were made to see various places and for those who had not been to the city before it was an exciting experience, For those who had never ridden a tramcar it was an event that no city child would understand.