The School Entertainment.

Manawatu Herald, 15 December 1900, Page 2

The School Entertainment.

Last night the annual entertainment given by the scholars of the Foxton State School was held, the hall being crowded. It proved to be one of the most successful yet held, and as some of the numbers were new to the large audience, and the way they were carried out was surprising, showing the able tuition they had been under. Almost every item was encored, and he or she would be very hard to please who did not get all their money*s worth out of the entertainment. The chair was taken by the Rev. W. Woollass, Chairman of Committee. The proceedings were opened with an overture by Miss Collins (piano), and Miss Banner, Mr Kearsley and Master Harold Collins (violins). When the curtain was rolled up it was a splendid sight that met the eye, about 70 children, who were all seated on tiers reaching to some height, and in the centre of the platform a row of Union Jacks, the girls being dressed in white and the boy's in sailor suits. They looked extremely well, and their first item was of a patriotic character, 11 The Old Flag, " and sung in such a manner that aa encore was demanded. This was followed by a very pretty piece " The Toy Duet," by Matter W. Cook and Miss F. Simpson, with a chorus by the children which was deservedly encored. An action sone " Three Grey Geese " was the next and the vigorous way in which the children gave it brought down the house, and it had to be repeated. The next song " Ghosts," was a fine piece of acting, and showed careful training on the part ot the teacher. The following were the •• Ghosts :" — Ava Symons. Doris Cook, Ethel Webb, Connie Howan, Ethel Collins, Grace Robinson, Katie Spelman, Violet Nye, Hilda Cook and Madge Newth. A united recitation by Millie King, Ethel Robinson, Barbara Hunter. Ethel Simpson, Belle Small, Beryl Fraser, Maud Newth, Irene Nye, Elsie Nye. and Edie Renata entitled " Perseverance." was a pleasant break in the pro gramme, after which followed the song " Victoria." Then a number of boys in full sailor costume gave a fine rendering of the song "Jack's the Boy for Work," the following taking part :— F. Jenks, C. Dunckley, A. Cummerfield, A. Woollass, D. Walden, G. Forster, F. Robinson, and H. Hamer. Another action song followed, "If a Body's Tired of Lessons," after which Master Harold Collins sang "Chinee Sojer Man," being rigged out as a Celestial He did remarkably well and had to be recalled. Another united recitation by the small boys, namely, Theo. Mit chfill, W- Macallister, L Hiwe. J D^rvill, P. Allen, C. Hickson, W. Nye, W. Speirs. and Roy Andresen, called " A very Naughty Little Person " was well given. The song " Morrilv the Cuckoo " by the girls, and whistling chorus by the boys was greatly appreciated. \noth*r patriotic item •• Red, White and Blue " wan given, and a number of rounds, in which the children kept excellent time, brought the first part of the programme to a close. Another overture opened the second part of the programme, and a " TambonrineDrill " was given by thn following girls: — Molly Rhodes, Nesta Cummerfield. \my Jenks, Agnes Hooker, Eva Staff. May * oley, .Alice VNilVams, Ethel Whibley, Ethel Coley, Millie \ndresen Connie Overend, Mabel Robinson, Rosie Dtidson, Nellie King, Annie Ney!on and Leila Gray. This was no doubt one of the prettiest items of the evening, the actions being remarkably well done and excellent time kept Mrs Woollass next sang Braga'a " La Serenata," with violin and piano accomoanimeQt. Mrs Woollass was in ?ood voice, and it is enough to say that f he song received full justice in her •lands. Mr W. Cook gave "The Gallants of England " in capital style md as an encore " A Warrior Bold " This gentleman ought to sing much th^n he does, his rendering of these songs was a great treat. A dehate on the subject "Of the good old fimes — Where they better than this," was the next item, given by 20 boys, as follows:— X. Furrie, C Spiers, E Spelman, J Robinson, D Walden. F Whibley, H Collins, C Cummerfield, F Collins, L Bradcock, A Overend, A. Imrie, W Cook, B Spelnmn, F Jenks, F Robinson, G Taylor, G Thynne, E Collins and A Woollass The debates were certainly a good feature of the programme, as they are both entertaining and instructive, it was a grand thing to see the interest taken in it and everybody anxious not to miss any part of it. Mr L. Furrie was the chairman and the boys did splendidly, not one bn* what knew his part. Mr Woollass moved a hearty vote of thanks to all ■ ho had assisted, soedal mention being made of Miss O'Brien, Miss Co lins and Mr Stewart, all of whom had been untiring in their efforts to make the concert so successful, all the other performers were also included, especially the children and this was carried most heartily and the singing of the National Anthem brought the concert to a close. The total receipts were £14 12s 6d, thus making the entertainment a great success in every way.