BREAKING-UP AT THE HAMILTON EAST SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2100, 22 December 1885, Page 3

BREAKING-UP AT THE HAMILTON EAST SCHOOL.

We give to d.iy an account of the breaking up entertainment at the above school, crowded oit of our l.i->t iss.ie. Instead of a conLvrt, it was tins yeai determined t<i have a Ctuistmas-tree, and for in'>nth>i p'ist the I.idy teacher* and the gills of the school havu been busily png.iged in needlework for the iicca«ioii. The entertmninent wao most successful fiom. every point of \ievv. By 8 o'clock the larsre schoolroom was fillod t<i overflowing by pupil*, parents and then ft lends, many having to hf content with standing room in the porch. There oould not have been le^s. than 300 prosent in all, though few knew of the performance but those immediately connected with the -chool. The room was beautifully decorated, the walls being completely hidden with ferns, interspeised with flowers. At the south end weie two pines loaded with wax candles and Chilrttiua-. prosenfcH, which were distiibuted to the children according to number drawn out of a mystery bag. The pn /.ps were for the mo-,t part of hiihstintial value, many of the dolls, dresses and Tain o' Si.i nters especially being genuine works of art. Miss Tnstiam, the *-ewmg mistress, i* to be ?ongratul.itpd on these results, and must feel highly nati»fiod at the profjciency attained by her pupils, whilo apparently promoting a morely festive gathering, Tho prjcredmgi commenced with a upeech from Mr Stevens, explaining that all had equal chances in the lottery, and apologising for Father Chi istmas's ap pearance through the window, and not by tho orthodox chimney, which, in accordance with modern practical but i)n.<j.-ithotio notions, was clobod, to him by a patunt wtove. Then followed a u>ng by tho childrpn, "Tho Coral Inaeot," excellently rendeied under Mihs Salmon '.s baton, koara of delight followed the appearance of Father Chnstmns and his youngest born. The former looked fully hist 1885 yearn, having a bald head and beard Home three feet long, with a corporation reminding one of three AlderniPti and two Ljord Mayor* rolled into one, The coming ChrlnbrnaH was represented by a very fine young boy, with a phenomenal nose. Very appropriately he hailed from the Bank of New Zealand. Kvery boy and girl then received a prize accoidmg to the numbers drawn by them out of the lucky bag, and whon all -vero satif--fled gave the Christnmsps a hint to dmp pear, which they did with wonderful agility, considering their yarn, through th« window, by singing " Which way doth the wind blow." Mr Gaudin, as chairman of committee, then made a most haj)[>y speech, congratulating all concerned on the nncce<s of the rntprtainment, thanking on behalf of the committee, the teachers, chil^ron, and ont«idern, who bnf} ))o]|^ to make it such, nn<\ h<ip,ing that the pupils after thi-. fun and their long holidays would return like giants refreshed to woik. "The Vacation Song" \v.m then sung with great enthusiasm, and after a few words from Mr Stevens, thanking parents for their attend. ingo, "(>od Hava tho. t^ieqn "gave thcig-nal tudisperho. Tha room was then oleared, and a Beries of fames mads an hour pjiH« vary pleaHantly. Tho boy» ohperod tho headmaßter, utaff, chairman and visitors mo"t heartily. Owing to its Miiccoss, it i-< intended to miko the enteitdinment auniinl.

The pine tree, says an authority, serves aa » refuge for more than 400 species of