PAPATOETOE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 420, 22 October 1918, Page 3

PAPATOETOE.

The annual physical culture dis play of the Papatoetoe Girls' Gymnasium Club was held in the St. George's Hall, Papatoetoe, on Tuesdap of last week. The seating accommodation was taxed to its utmost capacity. The President of the League (Mr F. Leonard) occupied the chair ami proceeding." commenced with the singing of the Na ior.al Anthem, after which a display of Sweedish drill was given, about 20 girls participating. Figure marching was the next event ou the programme and this was accomplished in a most masterly style, the different figures representing various letters of the alphabet. This was perhaps the star item of the evening as regards proficiency. It was followed by twis.oJ wand drill by Misses O'Loughlen (2) and Goodfellow (2), which was most spectacular and showed that the young ladies had a good grasp of their work. An Irieh Jig by six of the junior girls, viz., Misses Leonard, Swaffield, Waters (2), Westqn and Jones, elicited rounds of applause, whilst fancy marching by the full company of 30 performers was also very attractive. An exhibition of club drill by Misses Mc Williams, Weston, Reid, Kendall, Bryant, R. Woeton and D. Kirk was performed in a most creditable manner, eight different exercises being given. The Sailor's Hornpipe danced by a number of the senior girls in full sailor regilia was also loudly encored. A Japanese dance was given by seven of the senior young ladies and proved nn excellent displ iy, the dresses being gorgeous. A Dutch datce in costume was aho very pleasing. Miss Johnston, the instructress, who is an expert in the art of club swinging, gave a most brilliant exhibition and was loudly applauded for her fice effort. Wand drill by the full class terminated the proceedings. During intervals vocal items were pleasingly rendered by Mrs A. Waddell and Mr Jeans.

The Papatoetoe school concert held recently in aid of the school improvement fund was an unqualified success There was a large attendance, some 200 people being present. A first class programme was rendered, local and Auckland artists participating. A pianoforte duet by Messrs Kerr Bros was played in a masterly style. Mrs A. Waddell'B rendering of "The Rosary" was very pleasing and she had to respond to a recall. Mr S. Beel fairly excelled in patriotic songs Miss Maire Sheffield, a juvenile vocalist, sang "I hear youCafliDg Me" with great effect Miss Bailey, of Auckland, gave a number of pleasing vocal items which were well received. "My Old Bhako" was delightfully rendered by Mr W. Turnbull while items were also contributed by Miss Nobes and Mr Firth

What might have proved a serious accident happened at Penrose on Sunday last to Mr Rueben Gladding, of Papatoetoe, whilat he was motor i g. It appears that in parsing Messrs Stonex Bros.' milk van something went wrong with the steering g-»ar of Mr Gladding'a car with the r -ult that it dashed into the fence, the front portion of the car being armshed. Luckily no one was injured, theoccupants escaping with a s vere shaking. We understand that Mr John G Hides, of Carruth Koad, has dis ] sed of his property to Mr A. Had of Papatoetoe. Mr John Watson, chairman of the P patoetoe Road Hoard, who has b' en confined to his bed for the last week suffering from a severe attack of influenza, is making satisfactory progress recovery. Despite the fact that the climatic conditions were anything but favourable there was an attendance of about 950 at the official opening of the Papatoetoe Bowling Club's green and of the Croquet lawLs on Saturday last. Bowling enthusiasts attended from the Auckland, Eawhiti, Carlton, Epsom, Onehunga. Otahuhu, Dominion Road and Papa kura clubs. Proceedings opened with the Papatoetoe Boy Pcouts rendering the National Anthem, after which Mr A. Hall (President of the Club) declared the grounds open for the season. He extended a hearty welcome to the visitors He stated that several new members had joined the Club and he was pleated to say that the m* mbership was on the increase. He also paid a high tribute to the heroic deeds of the gallant boys who had left their midst to uphold the traditions of the Empire. Mr Hall also read a letter from the Patron of the Club, the Eight Hon. W F. Massey, M.P., thanking the Club for its telegram of congratulation on his safe return to New Zealand and regretting his inability to attend the opening cere mony on account of the pressure of Parliamentary duties. Mrs A. Hall, wife of the President, then player] the first " kitty " amidst applaiue The croquet greens were opened by Mrs Pumrose McConnell, who in a brief speech welcomed the players for another season. During the afternoon proceedings were considerably enlivened by the presence of the Papatoetoe Boy Scouts Brass Band, which rendered a programme con«ist ing of 18 selections iI <• Rand fairly excelled itself receiving rounds of applause from those present. Th>Bandrr.ister, Mr P Calkin, was congra'uLito 1 on ail sides at the profiouy J%Mvn 1 y the Band, which was ail the ruore marked bv the fact that the organisation only came into existence nine months since

(See also page 4.)