OMAIO NEWS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 268, 8 December 1939, Page 3

OMAIO NEWS

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES On Friday night last the Omaio Native School presented a concert of its usual high standard in tho Omaio Hall. • A feature of this annual entertainment is the picturesque costuming and this year the colourful display was more original in design and production than usual. As in previous years, the costumes, artistic masks and properties were made at school by the children and staff. The-,,Conejert,.opened with a junior party, followed by a ,senior group of Maori entertainers in Maori Costumo, rendering their native songs, dances and Imkas. . ltJ , Tho infants. . contributed several items, and wore dressed as glittering butterflies, golden .bees, and! jollylookiug frogs,... An infant play called “The Stars,”, played by small children dressed in classical ballet costumes covered with twinkling stars and supported .by llinerangi Wharepapa as “Lady Moon” and Tei Rarekura as .‘‘The Sun.” Both the latter wove dressed in an original • manner. The, senjor infants presented a pantomime play portraying “Snow White’’ the heroine of :flie Walt Disney film and all the dwarfs. The latter were drcssedl in green and gold satin costmijie.s. nnd wore realistic masks which excellently, conveyed. the expressions of each character, 'file part of Snow White was played b.v Li/,/,io Peter and Boy ("oilier was. the ,Prince. The chief characters were supported) by a chorus which sang- the incidental songs. The senior pupils were responsible for most of the programme, and displayed considerable ability and talent. A peasant group in multi-coloured frocks presented spirited songs, tambourine dances, and a whirlwind scarf baljet in which long silk scarves were woven into intricate .patterns. A boys’ tlrill group executed a (lag drill, and a group of girls in brilliant scarlet cellophane military uniforms did a glittering sword tlrill. The senior tlirill squad gave a display ol rhythmic actions and later an amusing awkward squad exhibition. Another group in attractive Irish costumes danced a ballet jig. The most popular group item was a campfire concert where ten cowboys and ten cowgirls dressed in elaborate costumes gave- a series of songs and dances. An outstanding item was a .vocal duct by R-ongo Donald and ’loin <(!amp!|ell w.itb harp accompaniment by Marvin Robertson. This group concluded with nn intricate Spanish hat ballet by the girls, and an electric torch drill by the boys. The concert concluded with a Christmas play in costume giving the history of St. Nicholas and Santa Claus, and having as a finale a church scene, complete with ringing church bells and carol singers. AGRICULTURAL -CLUBS During the week school club activities have boon judged. There arc six agricultural clubs with a large membership, and so the work of the judges was difficult. For the third year iu succession Tcao Koopu has won the local group calf club prize. ’lhis competitor has twice wo-n the Hast Co.ast Cup. ’flic home garden prizes wero awarded to Whira August for flowers, and to Nancy Richmond for vegetables, and Bessie Gage receives a special prize for the youngest home gardener.