MOUTOA STATE SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 29 August 1907, Page 3

MOUTOA STATE SCHOOL.

A Pleasant Function. A very enjoyable affair took place at the Moutoa State School yesterday afternoon, when parents, children, and committeemen assembled to participate in several pleasing functions. For several reasons the committee and children could not carry out the tree planting, saluting the flag, etc., on the day set apart for that purpose by the Board, and they decided to postpone the affair until yesterday. Since Mr Marshak, the late master’s, removal to Aramoho, Mr Barraclough has been appointed temporary master of the school. Together with Mrs Barraclough, very little time had been lost in preparing the children for yesterday’s ceremonies, and both are to be congratulated on their efforts. Since the temporary master has taken charge, the Committee have taken a keen interest in school matters, and a wonderful change has come over the School, the garden plots give evidence of much attention, and several improvements to the school and its appointments are under consideration, and a flagstaff, from which the New Zealand ensign floated yesterday, has been erected. The children, an intelli-gent-looking lot, contributed much to the success of the function. Mr Alex. Saunders, the energetic Chairman of the Committee, presided. Shortly after 2 p.m. the ceremony of unfurling the flag was performed for the first time at Moutoa. An adjournment was then made to the school, where a concert programme was submitted and much appreciated. Short speeches were made b} T the Headmaster, Chairman, and Messrs Hornblow and Carter. The scholars contributed the following progamme ; Round, scholars ; recitation, “Gong on an Errand Ruby Dudson ; song, infants ; recitation, “Hullo” Gordon Burr; | song, “The Sportsman” senior * - scholars; recitation, “Pride of Battery B’ ’ Esme Carroll; song, “We SchooL” A. Burr, A.*™F. Bowe; recitation, “ The Enchanted Shirt ” by, H. Barraclough, wais a master* piece, and this talented lad also recited the humourous Scotch t recitation, “A Typical Quarrel | for which he was vociferously apV plauded ; recitation, “The Stowaway ” was done good justice to by M. Barraclough; song, “ Cock Robin,” smior scholars; recitation, “ Woodman Spare the Tree,” was nicely recited by Miss V. Saunders; song, “ Chime again Sweet Bells ” girls. Mrs Bath, of Palmerston N., contributed two vocal items, “The Cows are in the Corn ” and “ I couldn’t, could I,” with excellent effect. The wish wasj&xpressed that this talented vocJ|jt would again be heard in this district. Mrs Barraclough, who had so carefully trained the little ones, also played the accompaniments. After a vote of thanks had been accorded to Mr and Mrs Barraclough for the excellent programme submitted, about 25 ornamental trees were planted by members of the Committee, viz., Messrs Saunders, W. S. Carter, J. Burr, M. Newlh, J. Carroll, Mr Hornblow and the following scholars : —Julia Bowe, Agnes Nimmo, Avis Dudson, Olive Piggotr, Violet Saunders, Emily Walden, Effie Newth, Esme Carroll, Maggie Whiti, Blanche Walden. Percy Walden, /Gordon Burr, Frank Smith, Arapere Ropoama, Ambrose Bowe, Alick Burr. Virgil Edwards. While the trees were being planted, the ladies prepared afternoon tea, which was much appreciated. Cheers were then called for all who had assisted, which . oiosed one of the best functions yet held in connection with the Moutoa School. Mr Saunders intimated that a school concert would be held at an early date.

In speaking of the early history of the School, Mr Saunders exr pressed the hope that the present scholars would turn out as good men and women as those who had preceded them. He was proud of the fact that not one of the old scholars had yet been numbered in the ranks of the drunkard or criminal. Mr W. S. Carter expressed Apprise at the excellent programme which the headmaster 'had produced at such short notice, and in the face of the fact that the children had been working at high pressure preparing for the examination. It spoke volumes for Mr Barraclough’s capabilities as a teacher. The Moutoa people would regret to part with the services of the headmaster and his wife.