Waio-Karaka School Entertainment.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5279, 18 December 1885, Page 2

Waio-Karaka School Entertainment.

A hrge and highly appreciative audience were present last evening at the entertainment given by the Waio Karaka Sohcol in the Academy of Music, which has been in careful preparation for some weeks paat. Mr C. D. Stewart, head mastar of the School, briefly addressed those present before commencing on the programme, by saying that the entertainment which they were giving was a most unambitious one, got up altogether by the children of the school, assisted by two of their own teachers, and that their aim was simply to show to their parents and friends what they could do in the way of singing and reciting. He thun asked for the kind indulgence of the audience for any shortcomings there might be in the performance. The prologue, which was the first piece on the programme, was delivered in a most distinct and pleasing manner by Mis Ada Best, who in this, and in a still more marked and gratifying manner, in the pieca " The Curfew," later on, evinced a talent for elocution and for identifying herself with the character of the piece she is reciting veiy remarkable at her age. The different choruses which were rendered by the School during the evening showed the c ire ail and pains* taking labor that had both been bestowed on and taken by the children in their practice, and in all of them they acquittr 1 themselves admirably, bat more particularly so in " Sunny Hours " and " Little Sister's gone to Sleep/'Jn both of which* the voipes blended very sweetly and touohingly. Master Wells gave two capital recitation*," The Bachelor's Sale " and " A Close Shave," in both of which be was warmly applauded, but his greatest sue'3ss was in the song, "The Dutchman's Pc ;dle," given in character, and which was so enthusiastically encored that he had to. repeat the latter portion. There were several piano selections during the evening, ah of whieh were well execur-d, viz., "The Rainbow Waltz," by Miss H. Rowe; a duet from "II Trovatore," by the Misses Kerr and Tregonning; a duet by Misses Smith and Angove; " Mandolin.ft.tQ," by Miss C. Best, in, which she displayed a skill and power of execution which was exceedingly creditable to one so you.ng ; and •' The Bird Waltz," hy Mi" Schob>ld, The rendition of the "Death of Nelson '' by Mr Gradwell was greatly applauded, both for the expression and power which he threw into it an.d foi> tb,e clear and distinct erituoiation, wb/ch tatter feature was again displayed in the recitation"subsequently given by the same gentleman, "T^e Death tf Montrose." By special request Mr Gradwell gave another song, "My old Friend John," in which he won as great a success as in the other. Miss Cassy Belt, who accompanied Mr Gradwell on both occasions, deserves great credit for the manner in which she performed her part. Mr Howard Ellis, * teacher in the school, $302 a. pqmfc song, "The awful little ■eriih f M which created grea^ amusement, and ai an encore he gave •* Over the Way," with almost as much sucress. Three other recitations, " The Battle of Ivry." by Master 11. Macky, " Home for the Holidays" by Master Claxton, and "The Well of St. Keyne" by Miss Herivel, were all %e\\ rendered, each of the speakers giving due emphasis, proper and genuine feeling whew required, and all showing careful training from their preceptors in elocution, Messrs Sohofield and Gradwell, to whom Mr Stewart offered his acknowledgements. A dialogue from "The Scbcjl of Scandal" by Miss Gibson and Master Johns was capitally sustained, aad highly applauded. Mr Steward has every reason to be gratified with the manifest appreciation shown throughout the even* ing by the audieuce. Nothing could have goo* off more smoothly or m,or« ■atigfic-

torily than did the entire proceedings. In conclusion Mr Stewart tendered his thanks to those gentlemen and ladies who had so kindly assisted him, Mrs Dodc 1, Misses Smith, Best, and Davis, Messrs Schofield. Gradwell, and Ellis, Mr Maxwell, and Mr R. R. McGregor for the loan of a grand new piano for the occasion. The National Anthem, in which Mr Gradwell led the solo, and sung by the children, brought a highly enjoyable entertainment to a successful codclk* nion. .... ... . „.'•■,..„■■.„■,-.,.. ..,„;

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before H. Kenrick, Esq., R.M.) ASSAULT.

Fredk. G. Stock was charged on the information ef G. W. Reed with unlawfully assaulting him at Hikutaia oh the 11th. Mr Miller appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Lash tor the defence.

G. W. Reed, prosecutor, deposed that he resided at Hikutaia, near the Thames •River, close to defendant's place. Last Friday went after some cattle, and took the usual track orer Wood's, Stock's, and Stanley's land* at times, and sometimes along the toad. Bichard Davis was with witness; stopped near Wood's house, and asked him the best place to cross the creek, and he told him where it was; Frederick Stock came up and said to Reed, "You forbid me passing your place, now you shall go on the road." Never forbade him to use the track on bis (witness's) land ( but did so across the paddocks and garden ; could not keep the road line exactly on account of ti tree and swamp. Told Stock I should go along the track; he then tried to kick witness, struck him, knocked him down, jumped on top of him, and hammered bim. Davis then came up and interfered; he was followed by defendant's brother, who caught Reed by the hair, and said he would fight him; gave Stock no provocation. Frederick Stock said last month that if he oaught him (witness) on his land be would "pummel" his head.

To Mr Lush: This track led across Stock's paddocks; Stock had only warned Reed not to go across his land once. There was another road marked bat, but not formed ; Stock might have an interest in Wood's laud. When the assault bap* pened was near Wood's bouse; the house was between witness and the river. Davis was not with him when assaulted, Ralph Stock pulled him off his (Stock's) brother at one time during the scuffle. Richard Davis remembered last Friday morning that he was with Reed going for cattle, and was on Woods' land; had gone over Stock's land. Reed asked Woods which was the best way to bring cattle back; and then Reed and Davis went on ; heard Stock call out, and witness went to speak to Woods; heard loud talking; saw Stock strike Reed, knock him down, and strike him while on the ground; went over to them and pulled Stook off; then Stock's brother came up and caught bold of Reed's head, and wanted to fight bim. ,

To Mr Lush: Got out of the way as he thought there was going to be a row over a previous dispute about a bull. :

George Woods sworn, stated—that he had 80 acres in conjunction with F. Stock at Hikutaia ; Reed's property adjoirns.J Last Friday Reed spoke to witness near the house of the latter. There was a road near tbe river in its natural state, viz., mud, ti tree, and swamp. Reed asked witness which was the best way to bring cattle from Alley's, and he told him up in the bush. Reed did not ask any permission; was behind the shed with Davit, who said he believed there was going to be a row between Stock and Esed. After Davis went to the scene of the assault, witness went dowa too, and saw Davis and Ralph Stock pull Reed off Fred Stock. Did not see all that took plate. The road pegged out near the river was good enough to drive cattle over. Witness aod Stock had resolved to stop Reed crossing their land, and he believed the latter had been warned to that effect.

For the defence, Mr Lush called

Frederick Stock, the defendant, who deposed that on Friday last he saw Heed going along orer his land, and he called him and asked him where he was going. R ed replied that he was going to bring his cattle through there, and went to push past. Witness said he would do nothing of the kind; he still pushed and trod On defendant's foot, which was injured at the time, and witness knocked him down they were both down, Ibed on top; Balph S ock and Daris pulled Seed off witness. Told Reed to go back before the row occurred. Reed also kicked him in the back during the scuffle. He after* wards took his cattle around another road, and he could hare docie so at first. • , .-

To Mr Miller; Woods and witness agreed the previous day to stop .Reed going orer the ground. After he knocked Reed down Heed struck him in the side of the bead and knocked him down.

Ralph Stock, brother of the defendant, deposed that be saw his brother BBd Reed in Woods' paddock on Friday last; he was about foqr yards away.—This witness' e??denee re the assault was oorroboratire of his brother's.

E. Davis, re-called, reiterated his previoqs, statement as to pulling Stock off ileed.

The Bench said there was no doubt that an assault bad been committed, and Davis' evidence seemed to be clear and reliable; he could stop people going over his lands, hut he must not use unneoeisary violence; he could invoke the aid of the law. He would be fined 20s and costs, £3 10s, aud ordered to enter into his own recognisance to keep the peace for six months. A similar case against Ralph Stock was withdrawn.