CHILDREN AT PLAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1922, Page 4

CHILDREN AT PLAY.

WEST END GALA DAY. RESULTS OF COMPETITIONS. 'Crowds of happy children gathered at Kawaroa Park on Saturday on the occasion of the West End gala day, organised by the West End school committee and teachers, assisted by the Kawaroa Park Society. The day delightfully fine and from eleven o’clock onwards the park was a bee-hive of young folk enjoying themselves to their hearts’ content. Throughout the early part of the day there were sports for all the children, Messrs. E. W. H. Rowntree, S. J. King and R. L. Hancock conducting those for the seniors, while the junior programme was organised by Misses M. Thomas and D. Hodge. Stalls and side-shows there were in abundance, all being well patronised. The afternoon tea arrangements were entrusted to the Kawaroa Park ladies’ committee under the presidency of Mr®. Oliver. The stallholders were:— Plain, fancy and toys. —Mrs Russell, Misses Mynott and C. M. Anthony. Dolls. —Misses Harper and Gibson. Produce. —Mrs. Johnstone. Sweets. —Mrs. Beale. Christmas tree. —Misses A. K. Anthony and Sharp. Wonderful rooster.—Mr. J. Lobb. Fish pond.—Mr. J. Hoskin. Coconut shy.—Messta. W. -Scoble and H. Lobb.

The gatekeepers were Messrs. J. Hawker, J. Brokehshire and S. Coad. During the afternoon the New Plymouth Caledonian Band, under Pipemajor Sinclair, gave a “swirl o’ the pipes,” these items being keenly appreciated.

A feature of the afternoon was the display by the children. The sixith standard pupils gave an exhibition of drill, under the direction of Mr. Rountree; the second primer, under the charge of Miss Sharpe, played organised. games; a display of flag-drill was made hv the fourth standard pupils, instructed by Mias I. M. Anthony, whilst a pretty garland dance was executed by a party of girls under the tuition of Miss Harper. All the displays were very creditable and evoked many commendatory remarks from the onlookers. The practical -side of school-life was evidenced by a number of cookery, sewing and woodwork competitions for the children. The cookery competitions, judged by Mesdames Oliver, Hooker, Hawker and Brokenshire, reached a high standard, the success achieved reflecting great credit upon all the young culinary experts. The awards made in this competition are:

Sponge. —Mabel Gore 1, E. Nodder 2, R. Lester 3, J. Evans and Mayda Jones h.c. and special prizes. Fruit cake.—D. Ambury 2. Scones. —Violet Bowen 1, Mavis Long ■2, Annie Marsden 3. Pikelets.—M. Robertson 1, Jean Harkness 2. t _

The other children’s competitions resulted:— Calendars.—Douglas Featherstone I, Norma Beal 2, Leslie Roberts 3; Mrs. Beal's special prize, Nancy Whitehead. Doll’s coat.—Edna Bruce 1. Doll’s hat.—Margaret Scott 1, Olive Harrison 2, Jean Harkness 3; Mrs. Brokenshire s special prize, Oath. Royse. Doll’s dress.—Colleen Huggott 1, Freda Philips 2, Leila Martin 3; Mrs. Hooker’s special prize, Jean Harkness; Mrs. Oliver’s special prize, Phyllis Watson. , „ Woollen article.—Leila Martin 1, \ era Thompstone 2, Maud Gilbert 3; Mrs. Hawker's special prize, Vina Pellew. Wooden toys.—Jack Buse 1, Burton Sole 2, Harold Yardley 3. A number of competitions were conducted during the day, the results oi these being announced as follows:

Bag of sugar.-Miss Ella Thompson. Mr. Findlay’s cake.—Miss Allen. Mr. Gallaher's cake—Miss Q. Jones. Miss Mynott’s cake. —A. R. Rimmer. Push cart.—Mr. Elliott. Doll and cot.—Joyce McGrath. Wooden horse (golliwog competition). -Miss A. K. Anthony. Bridal doll.—Mrs. Copestake, Sentry the evening an enjoyable dance was held in the bungalow, the music being provided by Miss Lee, whilst Mr. J. Hoskin was M.C. As a result of the gala day the sum of just over £lOO was raised, this including £34 from gate takings. During the evening little Miss O'? a Petersen danced a clog dance, being encored, and at the oontelusion the spectators showered the clever little dancer with coins. The West End school will break up for the holidays to-day, the ceremony in connection with the infants t fl king place at the school at 11 a.m. and tha for the older children being held at the Empire Theatre at 2.30 p.m.