TAPANUI.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 152, 8 June 1877, Page 6

TAPANUI.

<« [j'KOM OTJK OWj>7 CORRESPONDED.] On Tuesday evening, the 29th May, there was a pleasant reunion at the new schoolhouse, Glenkenich, situate about seven miles south of Tapanui ; the attraction being a concert and ball, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the fencing in of these-ncwly erected premises. Besides the school itself, which is at once roomy, well-lighted, and well ventilated, there is a commodious teacher's residence, and the manner in which these buildings have been put out of hand is creditable, and it is to be hoped pecuniarily profitable as well, to the builder, Mr Hay of Tapanui. Though • the weather during the afternoon looked anything but auspicious, Tapanui sent a large contingent of its principal business

people and thoir families, and these with | the families of the surrounding settlers iilled the schoolroom. After two or three gentlemen had with amicable modesty declined taking the chair, Mr Thomas Jenkins offered himself as a victim, and was duly installed as chairman of the meeting. Thanking the large assembly, many of whom had oome so far to be present that evening, lie announced that .the committee had been so fortunate as to have obtained for tlie occasion the services of some talented young artists from Tapanni, who under tlie able management of Mr South would, he had no doubt, afford much gratification. The following is the programme of the concert, to which Mr Soulhgavea harmoniun accompaniment : — Chorus, "Gentle Spring." Recitation, " Mrs Gmmmy's Ball," by Master John M'Queen. Song (words and music by Mr South), "If I were a Sunbeam," by the Misses Crawford. Glee, "Bugle Horn.' Sonjs " Jemmy's on tho Stormy Sea," by Miss M'Queen : a young lady whoso voice is likely .to develop into a mezzosoprano of much compass and flexibility. " Rocked in the Cradle of tbe Deep," by Mr Smith in his wonted excellent manner. Chorus, v May." " When the Swallows homeward fly," Miss Bowden. Recitation, " Tbe Frenchman and the Pig," Master J. M'Queen. Song, " Row, Row, Onward We Go," Miss Lily South. Glee, " Silver May." Recitation, " Mother's Little Helper/ Miss Boyd. Song, (the composition of the conductor,) by Miss M'Queen. Recitation, "Tho Spanish Champion," Master Patterson. "My Nannie's awa'," Miss Bowden. ' ' Musical Engl ish His Lory, ' ' a version of the " Tight Little Island," Mr South. Recitation, "Monsieur Polly- ' wog," capitally rendered for such a youth, by Master J. Boyd. Song, "What the Mill Says," Miss L. South. Tlie singing of " Auld Lang Syne" and the " National Anthem" brought the concert to a close. Mr South briefly addressed the audience, thanking them on behalf of the young folk for their kindly appreciation. He regretted that he was unable to give, as he intended, his magic lantern exhibition, "at the same time proffering his services on any similar occasion when the committee should desire them. He hoped they would be able to procure a teacher to their liking, and that he and thoy should prove worthy of ono another. After a short interval for refreshments, of wbich there whs an abundant supply, dancing commenced, and was kupt up to a veiy early or late hour as the case may be. The monotony of the " light fantastic" business, if, indeed, the poetry of motion is ever monotonous to its votaries, Avas occasionally relieved by some good songs and recitations, and some capital step dancing was exhibited by a native of the Green Isle. Notthe least picturesque, if lightly aggravating, feature of tho festivities was tbo capturing of shy horses in the early morning from out a mob of some dozens that had been turned loose the previous evening, in a large paddock adjoining. The Glenkenich people are to be congratulated on their school premises. There cau be no surer proof of tho moral health of Colonial life than this anxiety to found a school in exevy settlement immediately that even a small proportion or scholars are old enough to attend ifc. Tho HorrJot Hundred school on tho other side of Tapanui lix; jm;c been completed, and in Tapanni itself Miss Atkin has recently undertaken to meet a pressing requirement by opening a school for female pupils exclusively. Verily, as Lord Brougham used'to say, " the schoolmaster is abroad." And now for one other quotation, and I shall have done. I have tried hard to repress a tendency, that has boon strong upon me since I started the inditing Ci these presents, to introduce a certain hackneyed phrase or other, but it is no use. Tho conceit will out of me, and I must let it appear that I know at least a little Latin. So here goes : " Fiddlier artes didicisse, emollii mores, nee, nin.it esse j'cros." Which may be very freely translated— How many men are saved Ly early schooling from lives of vice and crime and general fooling.