CHILDREN’S DAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1940, Page 7

CHILDREN’S DAY

£1,000,000 PATRIOTIC APPEAL FANCY DRESS PARADE. GALA GATHERING IN PARK. A most spectacular and colourful parade of children in fancy dress was a feature of the children’s gala day. organised by the Masterton Ladies’ Patriotic Committee and held in the Park on Saturday afternoon. Brisk business at the many stalls and other attractions brought in a substantial sum in aid of the £1,000,000 Patriotic Fund Appeal. The surroundings of the Oval were thronged with spectators, who were delighted with the programme provided by the school children of the town and district.

Excellent business was reported by the stallholders, who effected a complete clearance of their goods. A party from Pahiatua using a “chocolate wheel" did particularly well and its members are to be commended on their efforts. The Women’s Emergency Corps was well represented and disposed of a large number of raffle tickets and mystery parcels. “Madame Miss-Ti Fied,” who was well patronised, told fortunes in a caravan (loaned by Mr M. M. Simpson). The Masterton Municipal Band was in attendance and played several items.. The principal attraction on the programme was a grand parade of children in fancy dress, many with their pets. They were led around the Oval by the Central School bugle band. | The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan briefly addressed the gathering, thanking the public for its generous patronage of the function. He expressed appreciation of the action of the Pahiatua party in giving its assistance and thanked all who had in any way contributed towards, the success of the gala day. Maori dances and hakas were given by pupils of the Te Ore Ore School, figure marching by pupils of Hadlow School, and items by the West School mouth organ band. Pupils of Central and Lansdowne schools entertained with a display of the latest class drill and folk dancing. The Wairarapa College and St. Bride’s Convent gave demonstrations of Rhythmic drill and a scarf dance, and a Highland dance was contributed by a party of children. All items were well received and much favourable comment was passed on the training the pupils had received. An organised games competition between Solway College, St. Bride’s Convent, St. Matthew's Collegiate School and Wairarapa College provided keencompetition. A “bull” which had broken loose from the Y.M.C.A. and which many attempted to lassoo provided considerable amusement. Peanut runners (runners with bags of peanuts sewed on their coats) also provided amusing entertainment.

The awards for the decorated classes and for fancy dresses were: Bicycles: Monica Rawcliff and Ann Garland equal 1; Jocelyn Broad 3. Tricycle: Helen and Billie Clydesdale, equal 1; lan Rutherford, special. Prams: Helen Wesney 1; Claire Jenkins 2; Maureen McCarthy 3.

Fancy dress —Girls: Hazel Pauling 1; Elaine Fly, Carol Moy, Janet Emerson and June and Nancy Allan, equal 2. Boys: Stuart Stidolph 1; Donald Jensen, Daniel Davey, and Melvin Kjar equal 2.

Pets race: Lexie Webber 1; Dawn Cooper 2. The committee wish to thank the many helpers for their generous assistance, especially the school teachers, stallholders. Women's Emergency Coups. Pahiatua party. R.S.A., judges, Messrs A. Keir and M. M. Simpson for the loan of caravans, Y.M.C.A. boys, St. Matthew's Boy Scouts, those who donated parcels and gifts to the various stalls, etc., and all others who assisted in any way.

NEARLY £2OO. The net proceeds of the children's gala day amounted to £196 18s 9d, which is considered a very satisfactory result. STIRRING SCENE TRIBUTE BY THE MAYOR. — “I desire to congratulate the ladies’ committee that was responsible for the stirring scene presented in the Park on Saturday, and to thank the schools, teachers and pupils alike, for the beautiful response which they made,” said the Mayor, Mr. T. Jordan, this morning. “The organisation was well nigh, perfect. We are especially indebted to our neighbours from Pahiatua for com-' ing to our assistance. They have set the district a splendid example in thensuccessful effort to raise their own quota to the fund and another example of co-operation that will not be lost upon the district. The scene in the Park on Saturday should serve as a precious stimulus to us all, for it is for these young people of the next generation that we should strive with might and main.”