Te Aroha West School.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43075, 30 March 1907, Page 3

Te Aroha West School.

ANNUAL CONCERT. > : -i-——i A SUCCESSFUL EVENT.

On Thursday evening last the annual concert was held in connection with the Te Aroha West School, and was a huge success, being attended by a large num her of people, both from the immediate vicinity and from further distances, as far as Te Aroha in the one direetion, and Kiwitahi in the other. The fact that the evening was fine and moonlit is one upon "which all concerned may congratulate themselves, and the room being packed, the financial success of the concert was assured. The chairman, MrH. Caudwell, opened the evening by briefly stating that the concert had been organised with the worthy, object of defraying the cost of prizes for the scholars. He then called upon Master Bert Mackwood, one of the boys who attend the school, for an opening speech, which that young gentleman delivered in a highly creditable style of oratory, such as would almost tempt one to label him for a future seat with the Representatives: A pianoforte solo by Miss Stanley met with a very appreciative reception, after which Master Edwin Ward took posfession of the platform and unburdened himself of a recitation which highly pleased the audience. Master Alfred Gardner then became the chief centre of interest, and loud applause followed his song “ Walking Some with Angeline,” which gave ample scope for a display of the talent which Master Gardner is rapidly developing. Of those who endea.voured to provoke “ the smile that won’t come off,” Masters Bert and Tom Carwardine put in some good work with their comic dialogue; “The Bet,” which received the unstinted applause they well deserved. Mrs Granger, whose appearanse on local concert platforms is always bailed with delight, did not fail to immensely please the audience with- the song “ There is a Land,” whilst the recitation “An Oversight,” by Miss Connie Fonest, was prettily delivered, and the humourous vein ruming through it easily won the delighted audience over to very audible smiles. When the applause which followed a song by Mr J. Pickett had subsided, tbe , platform was invaded by a number of schoolboys who won marked appreciation for the dialogue “Jacks.” Another laugh-maker was Miss Connie Forrest, •who appeared carrying a bundle of. diminutive brooms to assist in the illustration of the song “Buy a Broom,” in which considerable gift of talent was .displayed, and when that young lady j commenced to throw the said brooms amongst the audience, laughter reigned supreme: there weie nervous glances towards the door, and no doubt a few calculated their chances of escape in the i; event of a stampede. But the brooms - were light, and nobody was hurt, although Miss Forrest certainly made at least one decided hit.” More hilarity was demanded by Master Bert Mack wood, who recited “The Self supporting Seaman,” a delightfully laughable selec tion, which was well received, being fpllowed by a pleasing song from Mrs Viiicent. A number of prettily attired schoolgirls then appeared in the ebneerted recitatiou “ When we are Women,” their programme of future doings proving both interesting and pleasing. The song “ Please give me a Penny,” sung by an attractive miss called Laurel Brokensbire, brought forth quite an unexpected occurrence, the audience showing their appreciation bv showering pennies upon ‘ tbe stage. A recitation by Albert Neems -■entitled “The Twins,” was followed by

the recitation “ Comrades ” by Mr J. Pickett, whose successful infusion of the necessary, pathos was rewarded with enthusiastic recognition. Then occurred the interval, wherein

numerous persons agreed that as a good beginning is half the battle, the remaining portion of the concert would prove as enjoyable as that which had passed. And so it did. The second chapter opened with an amusing display of ebony, numerous Bchoolbovs appearing in a “ Nigger Drill,” having for the nonce transformed themselves from white into black piccaninnies by a liberal application of “the black that won’t come off,” or which is at least very obstinate in the removing process, At any rate, the amusement caused would quite compensate the young gentlemen for the vigorous scrubbing •which would afterwards he required. A pleasingly rendered duet‘“The Sea of Glass,” by Mr J. Pickett and Mrs Yin

cgnt was followed by the recitation “ Which,” delivered by Miss May Forrest in a very taking manner, whilst the

gong “Little Ones of London” was tastefully vocalised by Mr Bell, a fact which those present heartily endorsed. A good reception was accorded both Master Stanley Forrest’s recitation “The Butcher Boy,” and Master Alf. Gardner’s song “ Patrick O’Reilly, whilst a share of applause fell to Miss Elsie Stanley for her well chosen recitation “Suppose.” Once again the risible faculties of the audience. were called into action by Mr .''Jv'Piqkett’s smait adaptation which proV4uced ; the song “Riding down from Waihi,” in which the dreaded Karangahoke tunnel presumably plays an important part,, and for the encore demanded the last verse was repeated. A song “MyDarling,’’.which received sympathetic interpretation by Mrs Granger, was enthusiastically received,.' -and brought the very enjoyable, programme to a conclusion. ‘ ‘ ,\ v ■ Accompaniments to the songs were tastefully executed by Miss Taylor, Miss Stanley, Mrs Pickett and Mrs Bell. ..Mr Alex- Bell, the schoolmaster, in a few well-chosen words, thanked all who were' present for both their attendance and valuable help, after which he proceeded to distribute the prizes which had been won by scholars for full attendance during the past year. A watch offered as a prize for the most popular boy was won by Master George Fergusson, who, however, elected to have a cricket bat instead. The watch prize offered to the most ~P£P u l ar was won by Miss Edith West. Watches for full attendance were won by Miss Elsie Stanley, and Masters Fred BrokeDshire, Fred Forrest, and Uptake Forrest.'

Each of the above priz*- ". received ' issued w*” v, —enaapee certificates si, , _y tQ ® Board of Education, whilst Miss May Forrest obtained one of the Board s second-class certificates for attendance. Funds remaining over after the expenses of the concert have been paid will be devoted to further prizes, which will be given after the holidays. At. the conclusion of the concert, the room was cleared for darcing. and to the strains of Mr Alf Johnson’s violin, and the pianoforte manipulation of Mr P. Timmins, terpsichorean efforts were sustained until an early hour of the-morning. The intervals were enlivened by vocal contributions from several talented gingers who were present, and the cups o| tea which were handed round accompanied by some choice confectionery

productions, reflected great credit upon the providers A word of praise is due to the members of the School Committee, and other helpers for the excellence of all arrangements, and that everyone present spent a pleasant evening may safely be assumed. Nor must we forget a word on behalf of Mr Bell, whose efforts to pro vide encouragement for the scholars under his care, have met with such repeated success. Whilst quite in keeping with the code set down by the Board of Education, there appears to be in Mr Bell’s methods a certain originality and tactful handling that makes for sympathy between teacher and scholar—a fact which is highly appreciated by the parents concerned.

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