WHATMAN HOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1939, Page 9

WHATMAN HOME

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES EXCELLENT CONCERT BY CHILDREN. VISIT OF COLONEL AND MRS GRATTAN. An outstanding demonstration by the children of the Home was given to a most appreciative audience at the Whatman Home on Saturday night. The occasion marked the fourteenth anniversary of the Home. Colonel and Mrs Grattan, the officers directing the Salvation Army’s Forces in the Dominion at-present, were welcomed by Major Ericson, the manager of the Home. Colonel Grattan occupied the chair. As the curtain was drawn for the opening prayer-song by the children the sight of them reverently kneeling with heads bowed, the boys’ white shirts making a marked contrast with the lemon-shade dresses of the girls, made an impressive scene. Two company songs under the leadership of Captain Maddison were excellently rendered. Undoubtedly one of the best items was that given by the senior girls, rhythmic drill. The girls provided an almost faultless display, the footwork being'particularly clever. The boys’ gymnastic squad were in no way behind the girls in merit and they revealed surprising nimbleness, dexterity, balance, and strength in building pyramids. Another very graceful and colourful exhibition was provided by the senior girls in their floral march.

The primary children delighted the audience with their numbers. The first was a vivid and most humorous representation of Salvation Army activities, while the second, a drill in which the tiny tots went through their exercises with paper faces on the back of their head and their clothes back to front, convulsed those present with laughter. A quartette of little children sweetly sang “A Father’s Care.” The familiar Bible story of the prodigal son was presented by the intermediate boys and girls in a most original fashion, and one in which the lessons of the story were quickly and briefly outlined. In sailor uniforms the boys with vigour and enthusiasm sang of the British Navy and so carried the audience with them. When at the conclusion they gave three cheers for the Navy it was with difficulty that some listeners refrained from joining in.

The remaining items were solos, recitations (“The Rainbow”) and “Days of the Week,” two numbers rendered by intermiate girls, calisthenics, and a remarkable display of verse speaking which with its light and shade revealed the music and beauty of English speech. A tableaux, “Christ is All,” simply but effectively presented, made a fitting finale to what was a programme of high quality. Colonel Grattan recalled his visit of three years ago and said that he had happy recollections of the anniversary on that occasion. He referred to the late Mr Whatman to whose generosity and love for children the Home owed its existence, and said that the Home would always be a memorial to him. The Colonel also voiced the appreciation of the services rendered by the manager and his staff. The aim of the Home was to produce Christian citizens of whom New Zealand could be proud. Mrs Grattan distributed the prizes. At the conclusion of the programme Colonel Grattan announced that he had been so impressed by the efforts of the children that he had selected three of the items for presentation at the Young People’s Demonstration at the Salvation Army's Centennial Congress which was to be held in Wellington next March.