STATE SCHOOL CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1312, 17 October 1914, Page 2

STATE SCHOOL CONCERT.

A RECORD HOUSE

There was a record attendance at the State school concert held in the Town Hall last night. Never on any previous occasion has the hall contained such a large audience. Including the school children, who numbered about three hundred, the attendance numbered fully goo. The concert was organised tor the purpose of meeting the cost of an asphalt tennis court, now being put down at the school by (he committee at a cost of ,£37 odd. Apart from this, the annual concert is always a popular local event. The gross takings last night amounted to ,£34 odd. Punctually to time the curtain was raised on a group representing the infant division of the school. The neat dresses and happy faces made a striking picture and they were greeted with a storm of applause. This section provided the first portion of the programme and Miss Bailey, who was practically responsible for this portion of the programme, deserves credit for the patient and careful training of the wee mites. Master Harry Burr chaired the proceedings and made a capital opening speech, followed by a recitation. He made the most of his part and acquitted himself famously. Then came a “Three Grey Geese.” Pearl Thompson and Oswald Cleland fairly brought down the house in the dialogue between “Alice” and “Humpty Dumpty” (taken from tbe charming story of “Alice in Wonderland”). The get-up of Humpty, seated on the wall, and Alice was true to the author’s conception, and the natural manner and clear enunciation of the two as they discussed matters of fairy book lore, w r as charming. The march of the infants, with coloured effects, was excellent ; the serpentine and intricate movements were performed like clockwork. Then followed a song, “The Chinaman,” by the girls of Stds. I. and'll. The singing was very tuneful and the jog trot was truly characteristic of the people represented in the song. Willie Claris recited a piece entitled “A Tittle Mixed,” and displayed marked elocutionary talent. The boys of Stds. I. and 11. sang a song of the farmyard and their imitations of the various sounds familiar to the farm was most amusing. Physical culture exercises and dance steps by Stds. IV., V. and VI., girls, gave the audience an indication of what the authorities are doing to improve the physique and deportment of our gills. The seniors then provided the other portion of the programme, and what we said of Miss Bailey in respect to the training of the infants, applies to Mr Gabites in respect to the seniors, and we desire to pay a tribute to this gentleman in connection with the manner in which the lads acquitted themselves in the physical exercises and more particularly the choruses and part singing. Only those who have had experience in training children in the latter will fully appreciate the patience and skill required to get the results which were a distinct feature of last night’s performance. The part song, “Who is a Brave Man,” was in our opinion, and from a musical point of view, the star item of the evening, while the solo and part song, “London Waits,” was another top notcher. Master Jack KentJohnston “chaired” the seniors’ efforts. The curtain was raised on another fine group scene, the charming dresses of the girls and and neat uniforms of the school cadets, backed by the N.Z. ensign, called forth another storm of applause. Tbe group then broke into the patriotic chorus, “Britons All” and when the Maori characters stepped forward, clad in mats and armed with meres, at the call of the “youngest of the family” they were accorded a great ovation. Stds, 111. and IV. girls gave a charming song and dance, “The Fairies.” The girls were prettily costumed and the coloured lights gave a fine effect to their dresses, grouping and fairy like movements. Alex. Henderson recited “My First Bawbee.” Alex, could never have done justice to this piece, were he not a real Scotch laddie and the words in the piece were quite familiar to him. Willie Signal convinced the audience that he has a sweet voice and knows bow to use it. He took the solo part of the part song, “London Waits.” A dialogue in character* by Mark Griffin, a nautically attired coloured gentleman, and Roy Bullard, his interrogator, caused roars of laughter. Mark’s antics with the telescope, through which he discovered flies on bald heads, and his description of the shipwreck were immense. The song and chorus, “Its a long way to Tipparary,” was an immense success. The solo part was taken by Austin Charles and during the singing of the last chorus the cadets marched across tbe stage. The Swedish drill by the senior boys was well executed and their evolutions were carried out with correct military precision. Song and chorus, “ Mrs Tommy Atkins,” by Roy Rimmer and Vincent Burr, in character, was a splendid finale to a much appreciated programme. Mr Hornblow, on behalf of the committee, returned thanks to all who had assisted and Mr Jackson, headteacher, upon whom the responsibility of the concert fell, acknowledged the same. The accompaniments were played by Miss McHardy, and Miss Jenks kindly presided at the piano during the picture portion of the programme. The other members of the teaching staff all worked assiduously tq make the concert a success.