A REAL CHRISTMAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 134, 3 December 1938, Page 18

A REAL CHRISTMAS

DELIGHTED CHILDREN

Being mothers, the members of the I Kindergarten Mothers' Club know well how to entertain the young ones, and how to place before them just what the heart of the child most enjoys. This fact was well demonstrated last evening, when the annual Christmas party was held in the Taranaki Street Mission Hall which was filled with happy little people. The tall "Christmas Tree" was, of course, the central point, and was a gallant tree indeed, as it reached from floor to ceiling, the top adornment being a beautiful silver star, while the green branches were laden with delectable parcels as well as glittering balls and tinsel streamers making a wonderful sight for all the pairs of eager eyes that were set upon . it. Included in the decorations were brightly-coloured lupins in the high window recesses and jars of pink foxgloves stood on the ledges about the room. On either' side of the Christmas tree a cluster of rainbow-tinted balloons formed a "guard pf honour" till they were taken down and given one by one to the happy little guests, when the party was over.

Those invited to the party were children attending the kindergarten and their parents and friends. There were also a number of special guests, including the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, Mrs. Fraser, Mrs. Stewart, M.P., Miss E. Wilson, principal of the Wellington Free . Kindergartens, Mrs.' R. Dowsett, secretary, Mr. and< Mrs. Morton Paterson, Dr. C. E. Beeby,* Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Gibbons, Mrs. H. D Vickery, Mrs E. Gibbs, Mrs. Mi Kronfeld, and Mrs. Peterson. *

Miss E. Scott t director of the Tara*naki Street Kindergarten, and her assistant, Miss Molly Vickery. were rgsponsible for the, enjoyable programme of Christmas and action songs and choruses given by the pupils. Thdy were helped in looking after the children^ by teachers from other centres. The small folk sat on rush mats round the centre of the floor with the teachers, leaving the centre cleaif for the various groups as they peformed. Dressed in dainty frocks and play suits, the small guests presented a charming picture as they gave their items before a large and interested audience. The children did as they were told with a natural ease which was delightful to see, sometimes causing considerable mirth by their unconsciously amusing gestures and acting. CHARMING PROGRAMME.' The programme included simple action songs well understood by the little ones, and at its conclusion, the pupils were handed the special gifts they had made entirely by themselves,, and these, with much pride, they presented to their parents. The special guests also received little gifts. When the presentations were over the. children settled themselves to receive their own gifts from off the tree. There were toy umbrellas, rubber balls, spades and buckets, sailing boats, dolls, bats, teddy bears, music boxes, toy telephones, and drums, in fact, something to suit all tastes.

Then followed the servitigl of the party tea. It was carried in by assistants "aboard" a large red and white "steamer" with flags flying from the white mastheads. It was called the "Merry Christmas," and on its decks plates of good things reposed: After' everyone had donned a gay paper hat, plates were passed round,and the meal ended with cool drinks served out of fed and green tumblexs. Members of the Mothers' Club' served a buffet tea to the parents. ,

It was growing dusk as. the party ended. After the National Anthem had been, played toys and hats were collected and - the children left after receiving their balloons and favours, having liad a wonderful time. f The party was a very successful one for not only were tnothers and fathers entertained well, but they?were also enabled to " see the. splendid work being carried out by the kindergarten.

A pleasant evening was spent at the residence of Mr' B. Osborne, Brougham Avenue, recently, when the senior students of Miss Ena Connor held their final music .club meeting for the year. The hosts were Mr, James Osborne and Mr. R. McConnelL Duets and solos by varied composers were presented by Misses E. Connor, O. Harbour, M. Osborne, G. Kyle, C. Bruce, E. Sellens, M. Connor, E. Swede, and Messrs. J. Osborne, R. McConnell, N. Burgess, T. Straehan, and H. Grapes. A dainty supper was served.