PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3881, 27 December 1883, Page 4

PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

Meanee District School

The Meanee school pic-nic, distribution of prizes, and entertainment, on Friday last, went off most successfully. The showery state of the weather caused tho gathering (which consisted of about one hundred children and a good many parents and adults) to adjourn from Mr Brandon's plantation to the school premises, which, under the circumstances, proved a most convenient rendezvous, as during tho showers the youngsters retired to the shelter afforded by the school-rooms. Lollies and buns wet'cdistributcd at intervals, aud a genial youngster loving dame, who resides in the district, scattered 3d bits most liberally, and seemed highly delighted at the melee which followed. Tunes on the piano filled, up the gaps. When tho sun peeped out from behind tho clouds the school soon became deserted, and the school swings furnished amusement for many, while the committee f nlly others with running races, kc, for all kinds of prizes. Near dispersing time the crowd was mustered in the rear of the school, and tho scholars were presented witJi their prizes by Mr McDonald, the chairman of the school committee, who in a prefatory address gave a resume of Uio committee's doings during the year, *id complimented the Meanee residents on being fortunate enough to secure the servbß.s of such good teachers as Mr and Mrs Niylor wero proving themselves to bo, by the gouoral satisfaction they were giving, and the perceptible progress the scholars wero making under their tuition. lam not in possession of the prizo-list, so cannot give tho individual prize-winners, but I can state that the p]'o;es were largo in number, good in quality, aid very suitably selected. All the fifty scholau in"tho lower division each received a nice 'Xmas gift, and about twenty-five or thirty book prizes wore given in the upper division.

At the scholars' entertainment in the evening the rooms were literally crammed by those who wished to witness the efforts of the young performers in reciting and singing. Many expressed themselves agreeably surprised at the musical abilities displayed by the children in rendering their songs. One song entitled "Gathering Flowers," which was given in character by a few scholars, was pronounced tho gem of the evening. Mrs Naylor accompanied the children's songs on the piano, and Miss Maucy took the other accompaniments. Mrs Alexander, from Taradale brought her "Juvenile Nigger Troupe," who went through a farce entitled "That Boy Polo " in such a manner as to keep the audience in a continual simmer of delight The Misses Hawkins, Ryincr, Baldwin, and Peacock rendered valuable help and their Bovcral efforts were well received aud appreciated. Messrs Baldwin and Newbold g-avo two really good old songs iv fine fltylc. The master's comic song with the scholars' alphabetical chorus took well. At 10 o'clock the floor was cleared for dancing, whicli was vigorously kept up till a littlo after the smallest hour the clock registers by a, larger number than the schools would comfortably accommodate. Miss Manoy furnished the tripping music, and therefore with such a pianist it is not to bo wondered at that the danco went well.

The School Committee arc to be congratulated on their o/forts to mako this 'Xmas merry making so successful. Although they spared no cost, and had heavy expenses to meet, yet, at the balancing up last night, they came out clear of debt, and with a small sum on the right side of the ledger.—(A Correspondent.)