ORMONDVILLE CEREMONIES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 100, 14 May 1937, Page 3

ORMONDVILLE CEREMONIES

Our Own Correspondent)

Children Entertained

(From

ORMONDVILLE, Last Night. The children gathered at the school on Wednesday morning, in the presence of a representative gathering of citizens, on the occasion of the Coronation celebrations." Many people came in decorated cars, and weanng the national colours. The children were marslialled by their teachers, Mr P. Srhalley and Miss Higgins, and Mr H. J. Newling, chairman of the school committee and of the Ormondville Town Board, called upon the Rev. S. B. R. Corbin to conduct the first part of the proceedings. The service form rocommended for publie use by the Archbisliop of Canfcerbury, and practically the same as fchat actually used at the Coronation, was used. At a suitablo time the Union Jack was run np, and the National Anthem sung. In liis brief address, Mr Corbin said : "This is the greatest day in history since the death of Ging George V. We give thanks to-day that this young man and his beautiful and good Scottish wife, aro being erowned to-day. As loya] subjects we must never forget to-day. Our King and Queen arc Godfearing, God-loving people setting us an example. They must reign, rule and serve. They reign not only on tho throno on special occasions, but day and night always in the hearts of tlieir people. They rule that law may provide. freedom Joj- all ; They serve God and their people, as their Master did, who said, 'I am among you as he that serveth.' Lct us always pray for them, honour and obey them." The children were then presented with souvenir certifieates by Mr Newling, after whicli several pliotos of the group were" taken by Mrs Smalley. A move was then made to the schoo] 1

l grounds, wliere Mr Neils Nikolaison, one of the pioneer settle^s and chairman of the School Committee for many years, jvith the assistance of Mr H. J. Newling, planted two oak trees grown from the seeds of oaks planted to 'elebrate the Coronation of Edwaru VII., and given by Mr R. C. Grooin, oue of the eariiest pupils in the Ormondville School. A bag of acorns from these trees was given also that each child might plant a tree at home. Mr Nikolaison expressed tho pluaHure it had given hini to be present and plant tbe trees. Ho urged tbe children to be spared to grow up loyal and qbedient in the freest nation in tbe world as good citizens of tbe Great Empire of which lie was proud to be » member. Tbe Ormondville School was the first in New Zealand to be a centre of free education, as it was first opened wlien the Act was passed which conferred thds benefit. Children's Pageant. On Tuesday afternoon parents and friends were invited to visit the school to see a pageant presented by i

the junior Children, which produced exactly the Corouation ceremohy in miniature. This had been prepared as a lesson on loyalty and iu.order that tlie children might, understand what was taking place at the Coronation serv.jpe, but the headmaster considei'ed it to be worthy of display to tbe grown-ups The mistress, Miss Higgins, liad taken much trouble to arrango a really charming performance." The Iloyai robes, the Crown JcavcIs, tho peers and peeresses. the Archbisliop of Canterbury, tbe Sword-beared, mace, orb, and goiden spurs were all tliere, fashioned by tbe little ones tliemselves from coloured paper, cardboard and plasticene, under the eye of their teacher. The ceremony was carried out witb the utmost solemnity by the small participants and was greatly enjoyed by all who \yere ahle to see it. Miss Higgins is to be congratulated on so well thought out. and capably prepared entertainment, which ' was really a. new metlind of giving a lesson on present day events.