SOIREE AND CONCERT AT KAITANGATA.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 174, 9 November 1877, Page 6

SOIREE AND CONCERT AT KAITANGATA.

« A soiree and concert was held in the Schoolroom, Kaitangata, on Tuesday evening. The friends of education mustered strong-ly on the occasion, and rendered the meeting* highly successful. Mr Wm. Shore occupied the chair in the absence of Mr C. Taylor, Chairman of School Committee, who has been obliged to seek a change of air on account of his de icate health. The Chairman, in the course of an able speech, said it appeared to him most suitahlo, that in opening* a mr-B'ing such as this, he should make a few observations on the necessity of and the advantages to be,:. derived from a superior educa.'ion. The object which had brought them tog-ether was a very laudable one, viz., to procure, funds to provide suitable priJses for the school children. This, he considered, had a tendsncy to create a healthy spirit of rivalry amongst the children. . J\'o parent could fail to recognise the change that cfrme over the pupils when the competition for prizes commenced, and the fresh im pulse. given a to the march of education. Therefore it was "the i duty of '.every

family, and especially the parents, to encourage the holding forth of inducemeuts whereby die education of their children was advanced. He also referred to the' duty of society in general in ibis matter, and read from Wiutwour an extract bearing upon the point. He (the Chairman) pointed out that when parents were not in a position to provide for the education of their children, it was the duty of society to step in ami supply their place. He was srorry to say that the efforts of the School Committee in this district in providing accommodation, efficient teaching, arid moderate fees have not had the success anticipated in raising the attendance, and that a very large proportion of teachable children were growing up in our midst with no education and fitted only to become pests to society. However tbeiv. was consolation in knowing that the new Education Act would soon come into force, under which such thing's cannot exist. He concluded with a few appropriate remarks to the children. The programme consisted of songs, many ol which were admirably rendered, and received hearty encores, while several carefully chosen and well rendered readings added to the instruction and amusement of the evening. Thy first part over, a substantial tea was provided and indulged in Jor a iaw hours. Messrs Clements and Aitchi^on til.xpensed excellent music throughout the evening. The proceeds amounted to the handsome sura of L 8 os.