ARATAPU BAND OF HOPE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 230, 29 December 1893, Page 5

ARATAPU BAND OF HOPE.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of this Society fell on Tuesday last and was in more ways than one an extraordinary event. By half past seven o’clock the public hall was well filled and by eight o’clock was literally crammed in every available place; and though seats were put in the aisle there was still no room to accommodate the people, for in the lobbies and doorways there was scarce standing room. When the curtain rose the prettiest scene ever witnessed in Aratapu presented itself. The stage was beautifully decorated witn leaves and flowers and amidst the greenery were the mottoes ■“A Merry Xmas” and “A Happy New Year ” made with white letters on a red ground; and then to add to the beauty and give life to it were two children dressed as fairies, one in blue and the other in pink, and in a semicircle behind them twelve other little beauties all dressed in white and flowers. These represented the twelve months of the year and all had their little speeches to make. Some singing came in at intervals land sounded very pretty from among the

leaves and flowers. The first part of ‘ ‘ The Twelve Months ” was followed by a piece entitled “ The Old Y ear and the New Year.” This also was most beautifully mounted, and very pleasing to witness. The Old Year resigned her throne and crown to the young New Year to whom numerous characters came to pay their court. The chorus “Merry, merry Christmas” was very good and had to be repeated. The second part of the piece ‘"The Twelve Months” brought the entertainment to a close. In this part Mr and Mrs Santa Claus were introduced, the latter asserting her ‘ woman’s right 3 to take precedence over her husband. The little fey-play between this couple highly amused the children, many of whom laughed loudly. The whole af the proceedings were very excellent and received well merited applause. Mr Thomas Campbell was the accompanist, willing.and efficient as ever. The thanks of all present were, at the close, enthusiastically accorded to Mr and Mrs W. Davidson and the ether performers for the real treat given. An adjournment was then made to the large Rotunda Rink, kindly lent by Mr W, Yousden for the accommodation of the Christmas Tree ; which was decorated with numerous toys and other articles, some of them of considerable value. Each child was given a ticket as he or she entered the room and the distribution at once entered upon. The crowding and clamour caused a deal of confusion in giving out the prizes and some of the numbers were difficult to find, but eventually every child was served and there were still several articles left. Besides those already mentioned Mrs T. Nield and Mrs J. Brown deserve the thanks ©f the children and parents for the trouble they took in collecting for, and preparing the tree.