ANNUAL SCHOOL CONCERT.

Shannon News, 21 December 1928, Page 3

ANNUAL SCHOOL CONCERT.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.

The annual concert of the Shannon School held in the Maoriland Theatre on Tuesday evening drew a very large attendance of parents and friends, so much so that at eight o’clock there was hardly standing room. A varied programme was presented . and . the manner in which the various items were' staged, combined with the lighting effects and costuming of those taking part, showed that the toacheis, and Mrs Clifford Jones (accompanist) uiho had organised the concert, had given a lot of time and patience to present to the public value for their money. Judging by the hearty applause accorded each item, their efforts were appreciated. The performers did their parts well and in the playettes those taking part were word perfect, and showed great confidence The organisers of the concert are deserving of praise for presenting such an enjoyable entertainment, as we understand the children had a much shorter period of practice this year than on previous occasions. This year the scholars of the primer classes did not lake part, they having given a concert at. the school during the afternoon. The. entertainment opened with a tableau by the senior boys and the rendering of the “National Anthem” the Headmaster (Mr A. T. White) assisting with the cornet. This was followed by the playette “Red Riding Hood” nicely executed by Standard 1 pupils, in which the buslunan’s dog and the wolf caused much amusement. Next came a solo “Barefoot Trail” by Rhonda Harding; “Four Jolly Sailormen, ’> St. VI boys; recitation, “Grace Darling,” Betty Richards; .trio, Ida Carter, Eunice Surridge and Joan Coates; recitation, “King’s Breakfast,”' Elva Hook; chorus “Our. House,” St., VI pupils; the first half of the entertainment concluding with the playette, “Alice in Wonderland,” by St.. II pupils, which was prettily staged, the acting of the little ones drawing rounds of applause. The second half of the programme opened' with the song and chorus “Fairies in our Garden,” Nellie Pirovano, as soloist/ giving a nice rendering. Another plavotte was then staged entitled “Soot and the Fairies,” pupils of Standard IV taking the parts. As in the other playettes this was also well staged, .and at times created amusement, each of the performers giving a clever portrayal of their piece, the turn lasting for three-quarters of an hour. A physical drill display was then given by Standard VI boys, which was followed by m story without words entitled “The Lighthouse Tragedy,” by Standard V pupils; Maori haka by Standard III; recitation, Olga Buckman; action song, “Days of the Week,” Standard VI boys; the entertainment concluding by the whole of the scholars singing “Good-night to yon all,” During the 'concert the chairman of the committee Mr A. E. Hyde, in thanking the audience for their support, which he stated was very pleasing to the organisers of the concert,. took the opportunity of impressing upon parents that they should take more interest in school matters, and do aii they could to assist the committees and teachers. It had been said that' they did not deserve to have a committee, but he knew it was just carelessness on their part that they did notattend the annual householders’ meetings. When the last committee went out of office, with the exception of thenew committeemen, there was not a single householder present to express thanks to them. and the teachers for .die work and time they had given during the year in the interests of the school. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that such meetings would be better attended in the future.

At a suitable interval, during the concert, Mr F. 11. Taylor, on behalf of the Medical Committee, briefly addressed the ‘audience in regard to raising a fund towards guaranteeing the salary of a doctor in Shannon for the first year. He informed the gathering that Dr. Waddell was commencing practice in Shannon early in January, and that a committee at a meeting of citizens had ben set up to endeavour to raise money which would be set aside to make up, any shortage. The doctor had asked that his salary be brought up to £7OO for the first year. The speakej' made a strong appeal to residents to •• give a donation when the canvasser, called on them.