Ohau School Fete

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 December 1911, Page 3

Ohau School Fete

HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. The new tennis and croquet ground at the above school was Opened by ill- Field on Saturday afternoon. A large crowd of people attended to take part in the proceedings. The affair went off with a swing from start to finish. The fine brass hand from the Training Farm attended, by kind permission of Major Burlinson, and rendered a number of very tuneful items. Two tennis courts and the croquct green were in constant use throughout the afternoon until dark. Afternoon tea was served in the larger of the two classrooms. The three ladies (Mrs Heap, Misses Tew and McLeavey) who had charge of this important department had worked hard all the morning and the room was tastefully laid out- with small tables and was decorated with flowers and with couoired chalk drawings, done by the Maori children. They were ably assisted in the work of dispensing the refreshments by Misses RoUer and Entwistle. A stall for lollies and cold drinks was rim by Miss Robertson, assisted by tbfo Misses Olsen. Notable lamong the guests were Mrs Kebbell, Miss KebhelJ, and Miss Alison Kebbell. Mr Kebbell, who has always taken a kindly interest in the school, sent apologies for his unavoidable absence. MiField, accompanied by Mrs Field, and Mr Gardener, Mayor of Levin, arrived abo'it 3 o'clock, and was met at the gate by Mr McLeavey, chairman of the school committee, Mrs MsLeavey, and Mr Henderson, the headmaster. In introducing Mr Field, Mr- McLeavey said that the lawn had been laid out with money raised by-school concerts and dances held by the committee and teachers. Messrs Field and Kebbell had b'oth contributed, handsomely in the past to this fund.

In declaring the ground open, MiField said that it had been his duty and pleasure, both as member of Parliament and as member of the Education Board, to assist in all the educational enterprises of tlie district. He considered that Hie boys and girls should have every facility for playing games so that they might be healthier and better men and women, and might learn to "play the game" as worthy citizens of their country. The hand and eye training, obtained in these games, enabled our boys, when they became men, the better to hold their own in industry, commerce, and war against their foreign competitors. Besides raising the tone and esprit de corps of the school, thiis lawn would We an excellent effect on the social life of the district, and' form a rallying point for the young people wiio had left school to meet in friendly rivalry to the great Benefit of their deportment and healths He then declared the lawn open, and cheers were given for Mr and 1 Mrs Field. The thanks of th committee are due to Major Burlinson for lending his band; to Miss Saint for loan 'of a tennis net; to Messrs Irvine and Sheargold for donations of lollies: and' to th© ladies of Chan who provided refreshments.