Aratika School.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 224, 27 January 1894, Page 2

Aratika School.

TEA, CONCERT, DANCE, &i:. A picnic in connection with the Aratika school was held in one of Mr Colby's paddocks, at the junction of Midland and Valley roads, yesterday. At about one o'clock the children attending the school, and some of their relations and friends, began to assemble. Unfortunately heavy rain commenced to fall early in the afternoon, but cleared up later in the day, so the games and races had to be abandoned for a while, all taking refuge in Mr Colby's woolshed, which was decorated with ferns and evergreens, where the time was made to pass enjoyably. Several races were run previous to the rain falling, and cash prizes were given to the first, second, and third in each event. The chairman of the school committee, Mr F. AUerby, ably assisted by the members, Messrs G. AUerby, R. Brown, S. Gray, P. Lynch, and the popular school master, Mr W. C. Smith, did all that was possible to make the gathering a pleasant one. The tea was provided by the ladies of the district, and the management was left in the hands of a committee of four, namely, Mesdames G. AUerby, Brown, Gray, and W C. Smith, After the tea the woolshed was cleared and seats arranged for an entertainment b> the Pohangma Minstrels in aid of the prize fund. As at the tea a large number attended and all of those present seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The winners of the races were : — Boys' Race— Fred AUerby 1, Robert Boyd 2, Albert Brown 8. Girls 1 Race— Mary Boyd 1, Edith Cornwall 2, Sarah Allerby 3. Small Boys' Race— Bert Boyd 1, Duncan Bell 2, Willie Gray 3. Small Girls' Race — Ethel Young 1, Frances Gray 2, Jane Boyd 8. Boys' Steeplechase—Fred Allerby 1, Robert Gray 2, John Brown 3. Ladies' Race — Mrs R. Brown 1, Mrs Taylor 2, Mrs G. Allerby 3. Boys' Walking Match -Albert Brown 1, Robert Gray 2, Alex. Hislop 3. Consolation Race —Paul Goldfinch 1, Alex. Hislop 2, Willie Gray 3 The children who were successful in passing their standards at the annual examination in September last were presented with prizes, as follows, Mrs W. C Smith making the presentations : — Standard I.— Margaret Lynch, Robert Boyd. Standard 11. — Sarah Allerby. Standard lll.— Elizabeth Allerby, Ethel Young, Francis Gray, Agues Lynch. Standard IV. — Ada Brown. Standard V. — Albert Brown, Robert Gray. Prizes were also given to those scholars who had the highest number of marks in the teachers' examination, at the end of December, as follows : Standard I. — Lillian Gray. Standard 11. — Sydney Gray. Standard 111. — Elsie Curtis. Standard IV.— Ethel Young. Standard V. — Frederick Allerby. Standard VI. — Robert Gray. A book was given to each of the children who did nogait n a prize, and also to the scholars in the preparatory class. The Pohangina Minstrels gave a very creditable entertainment in the evening, but were tit a disadvantage through not having a stage. However, the quality of the comic songs and jokes fully compensated for any drawbacks in the way of inconvenience. Messrs Adolph (ioUttineh and A. Fraser, as tarn bo anil bones, made very good corner men, tuid their local hits and jokes with the interlocutor, Mr J. Sinclair, caused much inurnment. The trio played several overtures on tho tambourine, bones, and accordeon, very well. Children's ditties, " Old Mother j Hubbard," etc., by the troupe, were the first vocal items on the program inc. Mr Adolph Goldfinch sang " Gold in the mountain " and " When the clock strikes ten," |tho latter being encored, and he repeated the last verse. Mr A. Fraser sang "Kingdom coming" aud "Men you don't meet every day," and was re- ! warded for his efforts by loud applause. i Mr J. Sinclair sang " Stay with me Johnny," Mr H. J. Hoy " The sailor boy," and Master L. Goldfinch "Baltimore." Mr Hoy also dauced an Irish Jig. The choruses were joined in by the troupe, who brought the programme to a close by singing " Good night." Mr Sidney Goldfinch played the accompaniments to the songs on the organ. On the whole the entertainment did credit to the performers, and everybody felt satisfied they had received more than value for their money. After the concert a dance was held, most of those who were at the concert stopping, and dancing was kept up to an early hour this morning. Mr R. Kirk made an efficient M.C., and Messrs Sinclair and Fraser provided the music.