STATE SCHOOL CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2977, 19 December 1925, Page 3

STATE SCHOOL CONCERT.

Anticipation as to the success of the concert given by pupils of the Foxton State School was fully realised on Thursday evening, when a large audience witnessed the programme. The performance, though perhaps not quite up to the standard of last year’s concert, was nevertheless very good, and was enthusiastically received throughout.

The programme opened with a piano duet by Misses Mullaney and K. Roore, followed by a prologue by Malcolm Mason, delivered in a clear and manly fashion, and which contained a greeting, wish that the programme be appreciated, an apology to certain prominent citizens for reference to them in the opening chorus, and an expression of fear lest his schoolmates should “punch his head’ for detainng them too long. The "opening chorus, “How Do You Do?” by the senior scholars arranged in mass formation on the stage, Vas a very good 'number to put the audience in favourable mood. The verses referred in familiar but inoffensive manner to occupational peculiarities of several gentlemen, humorously expressed, and was much enjoyed. “The Soldiers Chorus,” also by the senior pupils, was well received, the singing of the massed scholars sounding well, with a good swell of voices, and in good time under the baton of Mr. Mason. The infant classes were in their element in “Nursery Rhymes Illustrated,” the evergreen stories of “Jack and Jill,” “Little 80-Peep,” etc., being told in musical rhyme by the little ones occupying the rear of the stage, while other pupils impersonated the various characters of that childhood mythology. Physical drill by the boys was an item which, though offering no scope for the display of talent, is always much appreciated by their elders, and the boys on this occasion acquitted themselves handsomely. The infants again presented a good item in “The Dolls,” an action song, and the senior girls appeared in a song in character “Caller Herrin,” which was well presented. “Who Killed Cock Robin?” the old familiar nursery jingle, sung by the pupils of Stds I. and 11. was disposed of with credit to the little scholars. A song, “On the Road To Anywhere’,’ was attempted by W. Hirini and J. Francis, assisted by the combined pupils in the chorus. This item was remarkable for a reversion of the usual philosophic atmosphere attached to the song, the soloists, attired in orthodox “hard-up” costume, and afflicted with bowyangs and briar pipes, made action their forte and voice a secondary consideration, but scored well from the humour of the situation. A playette, “The Dancing Princesses,” containing the dialogue in rhyme, was rather a pretty item in its presentation, the story running along the lines of how a young shepherd (A. Stone) tiring of his occupation, and acting under the inlluence of a fairy queen (Madge McColl) decides to aim for higher things. The mortal queen (Margaret Tyer) much worried by the acts of her ten daughters (Katie Roore, Molly Short, Kathleen Martin, Maisie McCarthy, Thelma Coley, Dorothy Coley, Rena Warwick, Decema Brown, Miriam Speirs, Joan Thynne) who mysteriously wear out their satin shoes each day, offers as a reward to any man disclosing the secret of the worn shoes his choice of her daughters in marriage. The shepherd, acting under the instruction of the fairy queen, who lends him a cloak which renders him invisible, is successful in revealing the secret, and claims of the mortal queen his right to choose from her daughters. Despised by the princesses as a commoner and a dreamer, his claim is sustained by the queen, much to her own discomfiture. The fairy queen however —as all good stories go—reveals the young man, not as a commoner, but a prince in his own right, and he makes his choice. The playette gave opportunity to Madge McColl to render very sweetly a song. A humorous sketch, “Ten Little Nigger Boys,” which caused great amusement, concluded the first portion of the programme. The programme was resumed by the senior scholars being arranged in mass formation on the stage, when they rendered '“Our Own School Song,” words by Miss Dent, which was descriptive of incidents connected with school life. Oldtime minstrel cornermen took up their station and harassed “Mr. Johnston” (Endel W'anklyn) with conundrums and stories mainly concerning the school staff and the Ford ear, meantime a number of solos were rendered. W. Hirini. assisted by the chorus of voices, did a tremendous amount of footwork in a short time, and sang “Polly Wolly Doodle” in short gasps through want of breath, to the great amusement of the audience. Katie Martin sang sweetly a solo, “Close Your Dreamy Eyes”; A. Stone assisted by the chorus, sang the plantation song, “Ole Banjo;” Mollie Downes contributed a pleasing solo, “Snow-time,” and the combined scholars rendered a parody on “Excelsior,” “Upidee.” Wand drill by the girls was an item that found favour. Four Std H. pupils (Joan Byne, Phyllis Tongs, “Tinky Symons, Rowland Howe) presented a sketch, “The Mad Tea Party” (from Alice in Wonderland) the dialogue and action being well done for children so young. A dance, “The Rainbow Ballet, by the senior girls, was a pretty item, graceful, and in good time, and was voted among the best items of the programme. The finale, “The Lads In Navy Blue” and “Rule Britannia,” was a fitting finish to a programme which reflects . credit on the headmaster

and his staff, and on the talent of the children who took part. Miss Dent and Miss Mullaney were the accompanists. Mr. Perreau (chairman of Committee) briefly addressed the audience, expressing of the good work of the teachers and scholars, and also touched on 'the past labours and future plans of the Committee

Rev. Walton also briefly explained the proposed scheme in connection with the establishment of a dental clinic, and urged parents to support the proposal. At the call of Mr. Perreau, the scholars gave three lusty cheers for the teaching staff.

PRIZE-DISTRIBUTION. The distribution of prizes and certificates took place in the school grounds yesterday afternoon and the infants had the pleasure of again meeting Father Christmas, who cheerfully greeted the little ones and distributed gifts from a well laden Christmass tree. Short speeches were made by the head master (Mr. F. Mason) and the chairman (Mr Perreau) and Mr. Hornblow.

PRIZE WINNERS. Walter Bock Memorial Prizes. — Dux girl, Decema Brown; Dux boy, Endyll Wanklyn. Mr G. Tyer’s special prizes: Girls, for excellence in domestic science (cookery sewing and domestic hygiene), Joan Thynne; Boys: for excellence in appreciation of trailing given in “Citizenship” as exemplified by conduct and general “school spirit,” Edward Murphy. Mr. J. McKnight’s special prizes for Essay Competition Std. 6: —Girls, Ist Susan Rankin, 2nd Joan Thynne. Boys, Ist Theo. Perreau, 2nd Norman Wishart.

PROFICIENCY. Archie Aitchison, George Baird, Robin Chrystall, Roy Head, William Hussey, 'Arthur Mjurpliy, Edward Murphy, Charles Parfitt, Theo. Perreau, Albert Sharp, Arthur Stone, Endyll Wanklyn, Norman Wishart, Decema Brown, Thelma Coley, Maisie McCarthy, Madge McColl, Susie Rankin, Joan Thynne, Rena Warwick.

Endorsed Competency.—-William Hirini, Ernest Rickerby, Guy Shaw, Elsie Barber, Miriam Speirs. Competency.—Charles Newson, Edward Stevenson, Cicil Williams. Altogether 105 good attendance certificates were won this year. When it is remembered that an epidemic of chicken pox has been prevalent for some months past, this will be recognised as a remarkably good record. The winners were: — Std. 7. —Cyril Admore, Malcolm Mason.

Std. ti.—Charles Anderson, George Baird, Robin Chrystal, John Easton, Arthur Murphy, Edward Murphy, Charles Newson, Theo. Perreau, Arthur Stone, Norman Wishart, Elsie Barber, Thelma Coley, Miriam Speirs, Joan Thynne. Std. 5. —Caroline Coley, Iris Coley. Ina Easton, Hazel Ilaydock, Phyllis Wallbutton, Ivy Tollison, Melva Yorlce, Bruce Aitchison, Don Chrystall, John Death, Douglas Kennedy, Huia Newson, Eric Robinson, Keith Powell, Arthur Vertongen, Frank Whitley. Std. 4.—Robert Bangs, Leo. Bloomfield, John Cummerfield, Eric Hoffman, Kura Matthews, Denzil Yorke, Stella Baird, Margaret Barron, Greta Coley, Jessie Crowe, Molly Downes, Meta Mason, Grace Reader, Nonette Searl, Jo3’ce Shaw. Std. 3. —LeictVter Thompson, Gordon Stone, Alfred Mounsey, Wilfred Leach, Jack Irons, James Chrystal, William Baird, Ruby Wilson,* Lexie Tollison, Elsie Rout, Ada Roore, Olive Potts. May McKnight, Eunice Lee, Mona Kennedy, Jean Coley, Pearl Akuira. Std. 2a. —Colin Chrystall, Wallis Hart, Garnet Hoffman, Cave Rand, Albert Skipper, Nelson Walls, Fay Andrew, Amy Bangs, Margery Empson, Dorothy Hart, Connie Mc’Artney, Ruby Morgan, Margret Mounsey, Connie Robinson, Eileen Smith, Ula Thomson, Mary Thynne. Std. 2b. —Elsie Thomson, Ivy Leaver, Recider Hoffman, Avis Death, Frederick Wallace, Douglas Speirs, Ronald McEwan, Garnet Leach.

Std. 2e.—Lay Mann, Henry Podmore, Joan Mason. Std. 1. —lan Cummerfield, Roy Easton, William Lee, Frederick McPherson, Roycc Aitchison. Std. lb. —Keith Chrystall, Jessie Kennedy. Primer 4. —Matenga Baker, Raymond Cresswell, Francis Roore. Primer 3. —Leslie Baird, James Neville. Primer 2. —Edward Leaver.