MANGAPIKO.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1248, 29 June 1880, Page 2

MANGAPIKO.

Opening of the new school. In an advertisemout appearing in your columns 000 persons \ve"e invited to attend at the inauguration festival on Friday evening last in coDnecti<jn with the above. It is a foitunafce thin<? for those who went last night that the "five hundred" did not all avail themselves of the opportunity as the " crush " was great. An it was, the whole thing was an immense success both as to the number of visitors, and the quality and style of the entertainment. "We understand that the School Committee have been most energetic in their endeavours to promote the establishment of the school. The Chairman the Rev. E. Phillips referred to the admirable arrangements of the refreshment department which had devolved in a great measure on Mrs Harper and other ladies in the vicinity. Mr Phillips also stated that Mr George Harper was the indefatigable Chairman of the School Committeo and he did not envy him the post. Cries of " hear ! hear ! " from an ex-chairman of an adjacent district. The programme consisted of an overture by the Misses Hill. Song by Mr Hunter and Chorus — "The Deep Sad I Sea." The Chorus was a very great addition to the success of the solo. Miss Allens song gave much pleasure to the audience. Miss Susan Finch's — " Labourer," the new song by " Estelle" was hardly good enough to do justice to the vocalist. The Rev. Mr Phillips gave a recitation from Pickwick, — " The Ride from Rochester." The delivery was a little too rapid, but of course the selection was a good one, and the company were much amused by the account of Mr Winkle's misadventures on horseback. Mr Nicholsons song, — "Her Father keeps a Brewery" was somewhat out of unison with the accompaniment. Miss Mandeno sang "I cannot mind my wheel mother," and Miss Hill, " Oh fair Dove, Oh fond Dove." Mr Benge, — ' ' Jones' Musical Party" although somewhat" played out" in this district, was received enthusiastically by those who had not heard it before. The applause was vociferous ; and as Mr Benge had brought no other music, lie repeated the last two verses. Next came the song of the evening by Miss Finch with accompaniment by her sister— "Tapping cat the Garden Gate. " This song wassweetly rendered, and when concluded, the house was "brought down" with a vengeance. Fortunately the flooring of the school is of immense strength, or it must have collapsed under the stamping of feet,

coupled with continuous cries of encore. MisS Finch responded to the call and gave again the latter portion of the ditty. Mr Hunter's— "Friar of Orders Grey" was not in his beat style. Miss G-. Hill—" The wishing Cup. " Miss Allens — "Kathleen Aroon" was nicely sung. Mr Earnest Hill with chorus — "Belle Mahone" was a success. Mr Nicholsons — "Ten thousand miles away" waa an " awfully jolly" song, and was successful owing iv a great measure to the fact that this gentleman, (a recent arrival in the Colony) was his own accompanist. Mr Nicholson then gave a pianoforte solo in really grand style — "Wedding march." The Rev. E. Phillips, who made an excellent chairman (it is quite refreshing to get a change of this commodity) here announced that the vocal and instrumental portion of the entertainment had terminated, and he regretted that Mr McMinn, junior, was not present, as he had promised a song. Mr E. G. McMinn (the late member for Waipa) responded for his brother, and very good naturedly offered a recitation. This performance was intended to be of a serious character, but owing to Mr McMinn 's repeated -stops and "harks back," and to his ultimate collapse, the thing took a most comic turn, and was received with shrieks of laughter. The Chairman, with difficulty, controlled his on merriment, and stated that he was sure the visitors felt indebted to Mr McMinn for 1 having so largely contributed to the general fun. Dancing was then commenced, and continued to a late hour. The School committee have every reason to be pleased with the success of the entertainment. About 140 persons were present. The attendance of the visitors from Alexandra was numerous, while the Te Awamutu support was not so large as we should have wished. — (Own Correspondent.)