MOUTOA SCHOOL CONCERT.

Shannon News, 24 December 1923, Page 3

MOUTOA SCHOOL CONCERT.

AN ENJQYABLE ENTERTAINMENT. The inewly-erected public hall at JVloutoa Was -well-filled with an ap,preciative a/Udienee on Thursday evening, on. the occasion of the school concert, piratically every home in the I district being represented, as well as | visitors from, Foxton and Shannon. The hall and stage were prettily decorated ,and the .children im their i fancy costumes lent a pretty effect to • the scene. There were sailors, Jap-

anese, nigger boys, and represeaitatives of characters in .all the old nuir- { ssery rhymes. The dresses of the kidIdies must have cost the mothers no ena of trouble. Then there was a huge Christmas tree laden with all manner iof toys and a real Father Christmas, who chatted familiarly with the little ones and cracked jokes with thlem. Little incidents were recalled by Father Ohristmais. in the children's home life and ait school, much to their surprise. The children were tall accommodated and grouped on the stage and no time was lost in igtetting off the programme. The items without exception, were excellent and in this connection special praise must toe accorded the headmaster, Mr J. Aitken and Mrs Aitken for their painstaking efforts in training the children and to Mrs Davey who presided at the piano. The concert opened with- a prologue toy little Peggy AJitken. Thlen fallowed imirsery rhymes by the infants, each child representing a character and the company taking up the chorus. Rex Aitken sang of the "Bumble Bee." The Hen little . nigger hoys sang of their misfortunes, but bobbed up serenely -again. The Maypole dance was prettily executed iby a company of girls. Then the whole .school joined in tne rollicking chorus: "Here we are again." Selwyn .Spring and Nita Pigott impersonated two Dutch children in Breeches," and the children took up the refrain while indulging in -a graceful dance movement ODimpy Caimpbell sang *very acceptatolv "There's a big lot of Sunshine," and Vierrter Pigott was equally successful in her rendering of "My own lona," the children taking up the refrain of both songs. All the children joined in the chorus, "Yes, We have no Bananas." Maggie Triggiell sang "The Fla!g" with good effect. Eddie Eder and Alick Gregory as orthodox Jack Tars sang "The Navy," the chorus being heartily taken up. Verner Pigott was greeted with a fine ovation for her singing of "Molly O'Moore." "The Bull Frog and the Coon," sung 'by Dimpy Campbell, accompanied /by the antics of two human irtogs, fairly ibrouighjt down the house. Mr J. Aitken . accompanied toy the whole school, samg "On the Road" to a marching movement, which had to toe repeated. The quartette "Ye Banks and Braes," toy Messrs Aitken .senr. and! junr., Mesdames Hall and Dfovfey, was .a, splendidly balanced number and "The Crooked BaWbee," by Mr Aitken senr. ,a.nd Mrs Hall, was a top notoher. Phyllis Halley, charming y attired, samg "China Town'." to the delight of the audience Then the shout went up: "Here's Father Christmas,"'and a viery uncanventionin.l .sceine was witnessed between the old gentleman, and his little friends as he distributed gifts to each child.

Wr ,Vern JeAV.ell, chairman of the committee, paid n.tribute to the painstaking efforts of Mr and Mrs Aitken in training the children in the production of such an excellent entertainment and to all who had assisted to nraike the annual function such a success. He conveyed to the children and staff the compliments of the season and the wish, for an enjoyable period of relaxation. Cheers were given for Father Christmajs,' staff and committee. The committee and their wives provided an abundance of refreshments which wiere much appreciatied. A well-attended dance brought to a conclusion a most successful function.—Herald.