School Concert.

Manawatu Herald, 23 December 1893, Page 2

School Concert.

The School concert on Thursday night may ba written down us a great success. The performance weut without a hitch from start to finish. The first part was taken by the infant division of the school, the children being ranged on a tier of seats on the stage- They sang action songs with a lot of vim and character, remarkable for such little performers. " I'd like to be a Sailor Bold " was the opening item, for which a hearty round of applause .Wits given. "The Chinaman " was given in character by Chinese men and women, (Chinese however only for the time being) and for this the performers were encored- The "Laughing Song" was capital, sung by the crowd of little ones who turned towards one another and laughed to their heart's content. Some Japanese young ladies then appeared and gave an exhibition in fan drill. "The British Flag" action song came next when nurner ous banners of glorious colours were waved in artistic fashion to the words of the song. This portion was concluded with the round, " Good night." The little performers were accorded a most hearty round of applause at the end, as well as through the different parts, all of which was most fairly earn t. A dialogue, arranged as a mock parliament, followed, the discussion taken up being compulsory education. Messrs Buchler and Nairn, pupil teachers, obligingly led the boys. The piece went exceedingly well, the various members making their speeches with distinct deliverance and some life and point. Though the" piece took some time the interest of the audience wa3 well sustained, and the whole heartily applauded . The conclusion was a floral cantata entitled " The White Garland " and was given by the senior scholars of the school. The following characters were taken — The Queen, ii.-AViUiatfMi ; Punctuality, k. Aus-W^-Fe^vgfaritfer G:' ~Hamer; Generosity, L. Osborne ; first scholar, Et'fjittle ; second scholar, AY Harris ; third scholar, A. Parcel} ; fourth scholar, M. Collins ; (all girls) ; the tardy scholar, A. Jenks ; quarrelsome»B6holar,r L. Stanseli; selfish scholar, D, Ahem ; the naughty boy (who'sang a solo), E. Liddell ; (all boy 3 )* It is needless to say the piece went well, the arrangement was good, the dresses pleasing, and the singing "Very nice ; the Queen has a very pretty voice and did justice to it.

The work entailed upon the teaching staff to produce such an entertainment is very heavy and was done justice to by the Chairman of the School Committee who in moving a vole ot thanks mentioned that the staff from Mr Stewart, head master to the youngest assistant had done their best, but he was authorised by Mr Stewart to say that the heaviest burden had falleu upon Mrs Mellish. The Chairman therefore moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Stewavt, Mrs Mellish, Misses Carter and Ray and Messrs Buchler and Nairn, not forgetting the kind assistance rendered that evening by Miss Nellie Ray for presiding at the piano. The Chairman laughingly suggested that as the legislature had granted woman suffrage and if the women took part in public matters they would be bound to talk, it seemed unnecessary to train the lads to speak as they had been in the dialogue. He also noticed, with sonic little dread for the future, that in the cantata the girls -were the only scholars who were supposed to be good whilst the boys were all declared to be bad. If this idea was to be so early instilled into the young, the men in the near future would have to leave the colony to the women. The vote was then put and most cordially responded to, and Mrs Mellish having returned thanks by deputy, the Chairman wished the teaching staff, the scholars and the audience A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thus a very pleasant evening was concluded.