WOODVILLE & DISTRICT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 164, 11 June 1940, Page 2

WOODVILLE & DISTRICT

VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT. A variety entertainment of outstanding merit was presented to a very large attendance in the Woodville Women’s Institute Hall last night by the Dannevirke Territorial Association in aid of the Mayor’s gift fund. In all there were over 60 artists in the visiting party, which -staged a show that would have done credit to a professional company. Music, melody, humour and the rhythm of the dance were all delightfully blended to form a pleasingly balanced entertainment. Encores would certainly have been numerous had it not been announced at the commencement that the lengthy programme precluded recall items being given. The performance opened with the overture “Knightsbridge” played by the orchestra under the baton of Mrs J. Bingham. Selections were rendered by the Dannevirke High School Boys’ Pipe Band under Drum-Major N. Piteaithley. Traditional numbers, including songs, poi -dar.ces and hakas were presented by a party of Tahoraiti Maoris and proved very popular with the audience. The vocal duets, “Daffodils” and “Snowflakes,” sung by Misses Merle HiII,_A.T.C.L., and Joan Hansard, were vvrv nicely rendered. The precision and quiet humour introduced by Miss June Orange into her tap-dances appealed to the audience, which showed its appreciation in r.o uncertain mariner The novel form of entertainment provided by the “Bomphlets” in their .“First Reconnaissance Flight” at this juncture and also at the close of the programme in their “Raid on Mud and Sylt” was not lost on the audience, which thoroughly enjoyed their - songs and humour, into which “skits” on local personalities were cleverly introduced. A further bracket of Maori items by a party of Kaitoke Maoris followed, and this part of" the programme concluded with a ballet entitled “Rainbow Fantasy ’’ arranged by Mrs C. Breakwell. In this presentation a charming vocal rendition of “Over the Rainbow” (from “The Wizard of Oz”) was given by Miss Joan Hansard. Part two took, the form of a oneact Scottish comedy produced by Mr R. Antcliff under the title of “Three Years to Pay.” The cast was: Mrs Muriel Delvle, Mrs Walter Dobson; Margaret (the maid), Mrs Simon MacKenzie; Mrs Telfer (a neighbour), Mrs L. A. Chatwin ; Peggy Winter, Mr A. Duncalf; Millie Delyle, Miss AlcNeur; Dan McNabb (sheriff officer), Mr A. Spiers; Flossy D-ewbury, Mrs D. G. Guthrie. To conclude the programme, selections were played by-the orchestra, followed by an Hungarian ballet. The entertainment was brightly costumed throughout and in this latter item, as well as in the “Rainbow” ballet and Maori numbers the costuming was particularly colourful. The stage manager was Mr C. T. Elmore and the accompaniste Mrs L. Bell. At the close of the programme, the Mayor (Mr R. R. Johnston), in thanking the many artiste for their fine performance and the public for attending In such large numbers, said that the Woodvi tie Patriotic Society deeply appreciated the action of the visiting artists in offering to , stage Die concert in aid of the Mayor’s gift fund. Special thanks he said, were due to Mr S. Wilson (president of the Dannevirke Patriotic Society), Mr H. 0. Devlin (secretary of the Dannevirke Territorial Association) and Mr Elmore for their efforts in having the entertainment presented in Woodville. On the call of the speaker, cheers were given for these gentlemen and the performers. WOMEN'S DIVISION. The Woodville Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held its annual social afternoon, combined with the monthly meeting, in the Parish Hall yesterday, Mrs J. M. Graham presiding over a large attendance of members and friends. Before commencing the business, the meeting passed a vote of sympathy with Mrs T. S. -11. Schaw in her recent bereavement. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Edgar Harding, J. O’Neil, C. Morgan and Schaw. Urgent correspondence in reference to the annual conference was dealt with and it was decided that the branch express accord with the suggestion that the conference be suspended for the duration of the war and that business be carried on by the Dominion executive. The Mayoress (Mrs R. R. Johnston) and Mrs N. ,M. Burnett addressed the meeting on matters relating to the war effort. A stall in aid of institute funds was conducted by Mrs G. L. B. Whillans and Miss Mitchell. A donation was received from Mr It. Munro, who was accorded thanks. A cake donated by Mesdames Gi%ham and Hume was won by Mrs Terry, and a competition arranged by Miss Mitchell was won by Mrs W. Miller (Ivumeroa). Mi’s Mitchell was the winner of an amusing “culinary hat” competition arranged by Miss Harding and judged by Miss J. Kirkpatrick. The competition for the month—best bloom—judged by Mrs W; Galbraith, resulted:—-Mrs R. Cunningham 1, Mrs Mitchell 2, Mrs B. Hutching 3. Miss Helen Inglis entertained with violin and recorded solos, Miss Lorna 'Whiteman with elocutionary items, and Masters Douglas and Patrick Oxenham with pianoforte duets, all of which w'ere much apreciated. The accompaniments were played by Mesdames , Inglis and Galbraith. A pleasing interlude was a play-reading given by Mesdames Hume, T. Smith, AVarnock, Whillans, Coleman and Misses Harding and Fraser. The Mayoress expressed thanks to all who had sent in parcels of knitting for the soldiers. Thanks were accorded Mesdames Corpe and Olssen for acting as hostesses. BUTTER CHAMPIONSHIP. The high quality of Woodville’s pasture lands and standard of workmanship at the United Dairy Company’s factory at Mangarawa has again been demonstrated by the company’s having been awarded tlie New .Zealand butter championship and Hardley Cup at the Manawatu Winter Show. Mr E. Hutchinson and his staff and suppliers are to be congratulated on the success achieved in winning an award which is the aim of every dairy factory throughout the Dominion. The exhibit which won the United Company this lionour was of butter which had been manufactured in February last and kept in store, thus illustrating the excellent keeping qualities of the' company’s product. . - PA PATAWCV” SCHOOL. After having been postponed on several occasions because of difficulty in securing a good attendance, the biennial meeting of householders was held at the Papatawa School last night, when the chairman of the retiring committee (Mr B. Golder) presided over an attendance of 14. The j chairman, in his report, stated that various changes in the teaching. staff during the year had somewhat upset loutine work at the school. . He point-

ed out to the incoming committee that a “considerable Amount of work would •have to be done to improve the school environs. Thanks were extended to the committee and teaching staff for. their co-operation during his term of office. The financial statement for the past year, presented by the retiring secretary (Mr A. E. Hick ins), disclosed a credit balance of- over £BO, the very satisfactory position evoking favourable comment from several of those present. The nominations exceeding the number required for the new committee, an'election was held and resulted in the following being returned:—Messrs D. Davies, S. Sandbrook, R. Bradley, B. Bailey and A. Mabey. The three last-named are new members. At a meeting of the new committee, held subsequently, Mr Davies was elected chairman and Mr Sandbrook secretary. NOTES. At a meeting of the executive of the Woodville branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society, held yesterday, Mrs J. T. Horne w r as appointed delegate to attend meetings in Palmerston North. Recognition of Mr L. J. Whittington’s hospitality in allowing the use of her home for meetings and providing afternoon teas was made at a meeting of the Woodville sub-branch of the Plunket 'Society yesterday afternoon, when Mrs W. Miller presented her with a beautiful tea-set. Mrs Miller made eulogistic reference to the secretary’s valued services in the past! eight years. Mrs Whittington thanked members for the gift. PERSONAL. Nurse Tinkhom is at present taking a refresher course at the Karitane Home. During her absence, Nurse Stuart-King is relieving at the Woodvillo Plunket rooms. Miss M. Gossett, who has been the guest of Mr and Mrs J. T. Horne, of Vogel Street, has left to take up her residence in Palmerston North. Miss McLeod, of Martinborough, who has been the guest of'Mr and Mrs S. S. Haigh, of Tay Street, Woodville, is now visiting Palmerston North.