DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOl-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Tuesday afternoon last the Mimi school held a most successful. picnic in connection with the breaking-up for the midsummer vacation. Besides the pupils there was a large attendance of friends and parents, all of whom enjoyed themselves thoroughly. From an early hour sports and games were indulged in, and during the afternoon, the chairman (Mr. Jas. Phillips) called upon Mr. S. Sutton, as the first chairman of the school, to formally open the new tennis court, which has recently been laid down for the pupils by the committee. In the course of his remarks Mr. Sutton alluded to the difficulties experienced by the few settlers in Wai-toi-toi less than ten years ago in obtaining a school, which was only a very small building, the attendance being somewhere about seventeen. As chairman of the first committee he had often heard remarks about the small number of pupils, and he came to the conclusion that the only manner in which he could remedy this was to introduce more settlers into the district, and he could claim to have been the means of bringing several residents with families into Wai-toi-toi, amongst them being Mr. Phillips, the present chairman, who had always had several children attending the school. He was happy to say the roll number was over fifty, and the original building had been considerably enlarged. When first the school was established the grounds were in a very rough state, and the committee had little or no money to improve them. As a consequence, working bees were established, and as some of the bees worked and other bees did not, it was generally left to the same old few to bear the brunt of the toil. When he looked round the school surroundings now. and saw how beautifully they had been laid out —and he might say that he had seen most of the school grounds in Taranaki, and these were second to none of them—he felt he must pay a tribute to the committee and teachers for the energetic manner in which they had worked to accomplish this. Before declaring the court open Mr. Sutton announced that the material had been procured partly through the efforts of the children in disposing of trees of their own growing, partly by subscription and by a guessing competition for a doll dressed by the children for this purpose. It had been decided to form & club (of which he was proud to become the first member) of older players, in order to teach the children how to play. He might say that years ago he had started to learn the game, but found that when it came to love 30 or love 40. it was time to give it up. as he considered one love was enough for any man. Before concluding, he would like to mention that he had received from the supervisor of the carrot and mangoldgrowing competition (Mr. P. R. Spurr) a sealed envelope containing a prize to be awarded to the competitor keeping the best notebook on the manner in which they had grown and attended to their crops, the prize to be judged by the head supervisor. He considered this a most excellent idea, as it was of the greatest importance to farmers and others. not only to know that good crops were grown, but also to learn how these resuite were achieved, and he exhorted the children to work hard and make a name for themselves. (Applause.) Mr. Sutton then called for three cheers for the committee and teachers, which were most heartily given.

After an excellent lunch, provided, by the ladies in true Wai-toi-toi fashion, had been disposed of, the head teacher (Miss Simpson) announced that the pupils would render a few items, consisting of songs and recitations, adding that owing to the unsuitability of the school for the purpose, the idea of a concert had to be abandoned. The child--ren acquitted themselves most creditably.

An adjournment was made to the grounds, where the following athletic programme was gone through, money prizes being awarded to the winnersBottle race (girls) E. Baker. A. Phillips and E. Spurr (driver) ] ; apple-eat-ing race, E. Baker 1. A. Phillips 2, 0. Spurr 3; girls’ three-legged race, H. Phillips and J. Horner 1, A. Phillips and E. Baker 2; boys, E. Spurr and A. Ridgley 1; girls’ sack race, J. Horner 1 A. Phillips 2, V. Baker 3; boys’ obstacle race, R. Marsh 1, P. Morris 2 J. Kapmga 3: girls, J. Horner 1, H.’Phillips Phillips 3; boys’ sack race, G. , Borner 1, G. Sanson'2. A. Ridgley 3; .boys race (over 11), R. Marsh 1, R. Morris 2 A. Sanson 3; girls (over 11), M. Glassford ], E. Baker 2, IT. Phillips 3; girls (under 11). V. Baker ]. E. MorE. Rowe 3; boys (under 11), G. Horner 1, J. Kapinga 2, A. Phillips 3: boys (under 7), H. Phillips 1 ,H. Rowe 2, N. Willison 3; girls (under 7) M. Willison 1, D. Spurr 2, K. O’Hanlon 3: girls’ high jump. E. Baker 1. M. Glassford 2; boys’ high jump, P. O’Hanlon 1. A. Sanson 2: hoys’ champion, R. Marsh 1. P. Morris 2, J. Kapinga 3; girls’ champion. Joyce Horner 1, M. Ghssford 2, E. Baker 3.

The Urenui school children also held their hreakinc-up ceremony on the same evening, in the form of a concert and dance, the nrocoeds being devoted to paying off the debt on the niano. For many years thiei school has had the reputation of providing entertainments of a very high order, and this fact was evidenced bv the large audience which were present on this occasion, the hall beoing absolutely packed, manv being unable to obtain admission. The programme presented on Tuesday evening was a long and varied one. and the Items rendered gave evidenc of careful training, which "very credit is due. not onlv to the performers, but also tn Mtes Ateri-av (the head teacher) and Miss P Ar "sker (assistent mistress). Mrs. A

rT " "mnson is also to bp rnmn i: menr I unon the excellent manner in which she executes +he various accomnaniments. and Mr. W. Howell deserves nraise for training the nunils in the club swinging exercise, which were gracefullv performed. that gentleman also "ivin" a clever exhibition nf sw : noing fire clubs durin" +hn avenin". T] in Htecrp was testefuHv decorated, and the scente effects nf several nf the it°m* greatlv enhanced hr- the disnlav nf colored liah+s The handsome costumes worn bv + l "’ performers also assisted in no small measure +o the general success, red and wh’te being the nredom : nat’n" colors, and the wearers ore nnl’GoJ to «vreaf credit for the teste disnlaved. Every item was exeellent’v given, ahd thoroughly earned the hearty anplausn accorded hr the audience. + he nerfnrmi pnee bv the Mnnr? niin ; l-. in “Honolulu” reeoivin" a «npe’al ovation, their sweet i vojens and "rnppfvl attitudes be’n" most I nlnqsiup. ‘•'Miqq M’ll'gen’s Sphnol.” bv , +1 1O pno’O'- "iris an' l tbn ntehf cm'lnr I-lOT-C +r>rrp + ]->n" V]* l ' •* L--..- .7 •• V were also extremely well executed. Lui

this in no way detracts from the merits of the other items.

Details of the programme are as follow: Opening item, “Jazz Band,” pupils; “Coo-ee,” school; “Two Sorts of Boys,” Maurice Rogers; “John Brown’s Body,” school; “Papa’s Letter,” Esme McKinney; “Pack Up Your Troubles,” school; “The Dead Doll,” Irene George; first club drill; “Sailor Boys,” eight boys; “Cat’s Tea Party,” five.infants; “Christmas Bells,” senior girls; “Yip I Addy, I Ay,” senior boys; hoop drill, girls; “Sucking Cider,” senior pupils; “When Granny was a Girl,” Joan Smith; “Little Dutchess,” pupils; “Honolulu,” etc., Maori girls; second club exercise; “A Dirty Face,” Mavis Elliot: “You’ll get Heaps of Lickins,” E. McKinney, W. Shea rd, E. Gibson and R. Pigott; dialogue, “Oliver Twist Asks for More,” boys; “Miss Milligan’s School,” senior girls; “Bye Lo,” pupils. At the conclusion of the performance, a band of willing helpers, under the suporintendance of Mrs. T. Waite, dispensed an excellent supper to the large audience, this being no small undertaking, but nevertheless carried through most satisfactorily, and the hall was cleared for a few hours’ dancing, during which the chairman of the school committee (Mr. G. Herbert) announced that the takings for the evening had amounted to the satisfactory sum of £32 14s, and this, together with £5 raised previously, would enable the debt on the school piano (which they were using that evening) to he liquidated. The credit for obtaining the instrument was entirely due to the teachers (Misses McKay and Musker), together with Mrs. Waite, as representing the committee. He begged to thank all those present for their attendance, which had enabled the piano to be paid for, and also all those who had assisted. They all appreciated the good work accomplished by the teachers, and he would like them to pass a hearty vote of thanks to those ladies. This was carried with acclamation, and dancing resumed.

The function will long he remembered as one of the most successful of the many that have been held in connection with the Urenui school, whilst future gatherings of a similar nature will al ways be eagerly looked forward to. DURHAM ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) I A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at Durham school on "Wednesday, when parents and friends gathered for the break-up and annual prize-giving. At two o’clock Mr. A. Marshall bponed proceedings with an apt speech, after which each child was presented with a book, Fred. Dodunski receiving a prize for being dux. Attendance certificates were presented to twenty pupils out of the twentyeight on the school roll, a very creditable performance, on which both parents and pupils have to be congratulated. Full attendance: Constance Marshall. "Madge Fl in toff. Phoebe Goble, Dulcie Goble, Dulcie Johnston, Myra Flintoff, ■William Goble, Spencer Flintoff.

Missed not more than 5 half-days: Evelyn Goble, Elsie Havman, Veronica Dodunski, Lily Marshall. Alfred Havman, Charles Hayman. Hector Goble, Eric Dodunski, Norman Dodunski, James Havman.

Souvenir cards were then presented to each visitor, after which all went outside to see the “chairman’s coat.” whieh provided the children with amusement, sweets and a long chase, the chairman being a nimble man. Other games were then played, after which afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of the district. All feeling satisfied, they then repaired to their homes and “the coo that pays the tint.”