Foxton State School.

Manawatu Herald, 17 December 1892, Page 3

Foxton State School.

This school broke np for the Christmas holidays yesterday afternoon with rather more than the usual amount of excite meut and enthusiasm among the children. For some time past the attendance has been lamentably small owing to the prevalence of whooping-cough, influenza and throat diseases generally; and the teachers have had good ground for feeling somewhat disheartened. They seemed happier, however, yesterday than might have been expected, considering that two of them have sot the '< grippe," and the "others looked as if they were going to get it immediately. Those of the children who were present were beaming with the anticipated delight of coming holidays, and the knowledge that the breaking up would be accompanied by the distribution of the prizes won at the recent Athletic Sports The prizes j had been provided out of the proceeds of the late entertainment so successfolly arranged and carried out by Mrs Stewart, and were of a suitable and valuable character. The thanks of the Committee are also specially due to Messrs McMillan and Bhodes, who presented a beautiful silver watch to the winner of the Champion Eace, to Mr Cawston, who personally made a handsome donation to the Prize Fund, and to Messrs Hennessy and Westwood, and Mr Joe Tos. who presented the -winning teams in the two Tugs-of-war with most suitable rewards for their successful exertions. In the unavoidable absence of Mr Thynne, Chairman of the School Committee, the prizes were distributed by Mr Edm. Osborne, member of committee. Mr Osborne discharged this duty as if to the manner born, and gave an admirable address to the children, containing many interesting and valuable bits of counsel and suggestion. During the pleasant ceremony hearty cheers were accorded to Mr Osborne, Mrs Stewart, the teachers, the school committee, the girls, the boys — in short, for all and sundry. And, after a few words of homely advice from the head master, the breaking- up was an accomplished fact.