MR REES’ FETE TO THE SCHOOL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1259, 26 January 1883, Page 2

MR REES’ FETE TO THE SCHOOL.

The children of the Gisborne District School, at the kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Rees, mustered at Te Hapara yesterday to enjoy the entertainments which had been liberally provided for them. The unsettled state of the weather, and the counter attraction of the Matinee at Parnell and Boylan’s Hall interfered to some extent to prevent the number attending being so large as it might otherwise have been, but notwithstanding these drawbacks nearly 200 children, with a fair number of adults, were present. The day fortunately turned out beautifully fine, and all who did go enjoyed themselves to their heart’s content. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr and Mrs Rees for their unbounded hospitality and evident desire to make all present feel at home. In addition to a prodigious quantity of cake, tea, bread and butter, buns, apples, &c. Mr W. L. Rees had very thoughtfully provided a number of articles, comprising things dear to the boyish heart, such as knives, tops, etc., to be given as prizes for the various races, of which there were 18 events. The racing was kept up with much spirit till 5 o’clock, when everybody hastened to the cool shade of a poplar grove, where Mrs Rees, and the ladies who were helping her, had laid out what school boys would term a prime feast. The running and other exercises seemed to have given good appetites to all; for the quantity of eatables and drinkables stowed away was slightly astonishing to unaccustomed gaze. After tea more racing took place, though it was evident that many of the contestants were ‘ ‘ weighted out of it. ” The racing over, the children gathered in the grounds in front of the residence, on the verandah of which were Mrs Rees, and a number of ladies. Mr Rees made a short speech, hoping that all had enjoyed themselves, and stating his wish that the treat that was just over might become an annual affair. He then presented the prizes to the winners in the races. After some hearty cheering for their kind entertainers, and another distribution of apples and lollies, the children were packed into the various conveyances and started for home, having spent a most enjoyable day. The following are the various events that were contested :—

Te Hapara Handicap. Ist event, 100 yards. —F. Teat, 1; E. Skeet, 2. Girls’ Race ; 80 yards.—E. Gibbons, 1 ; S. Hepburn, 2. High Jump.—F. Teat, 1(4 feet 3inohes); A. Weston, 2. Te Hapara Handicap ; 2nd event, 200 yards. R. Hepburn, 1; W. Mitchell, 2. Girls’ Race (under 8); 80 yards.—M. Rowley, 1 ; N. Hepburn, 2. Boys’ Race (under 7); 100 yards.—W. Taylor, 1 ; C. Stubbs, 2. Girls’ Race (under 11); N. Hepburn, 1 ; R. Gibbons, 2. Hop, Step and Jump.—O. Goldsmith, 1; F. Teat, 2. Te Hapara Handicap ; 3rd event, 440 yards. O. Goldsmith, 1 ; J. Wall, 2. Long Jump.—O. Goldsmith, 1; A. Weston and J. O’Donnell, dead heat. Girls’ Race ; 150 yards.—H. Dawson, 1; S. Hepburn, 2. Girls’ Race ; 80 yards.—L. Leigh, 1; D. Hearfield. Boys’ Race. —J. Gibbons, 1 ; C. Pitt, 2. Blindfold Race.—B. Hird, 1 ; J. Brosnahan, 2. This event caused much amusement. The winner who had made a suspiciously good attempt at striking a bee-line for the winning post, gave proof positive that he was running “ square ” by colliding, directly after, with a wire fence, thereby taking some “bark” off somewhere in the region of his nose. Three-legged Race.—Sydney and C. Pitt, 1. Consolation Race.—F. Hepburn, 1; E. Mantrews, 2.