ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3038, 5 January 1892, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

SchijOL Evtektainment.— Never before did our Public Hall have so gay and festive an appearance as it did on Wednesday evening last, the occasion being the annual school children's entertainment anil Christmas tree. The attendance was very Urge the room being packed to the very doors, with such a numerous company nf juvftniles and their friends that caused ono to wonder wheiM they all eatno from. The great centre of interest, the Chri-tmas-trce, was a large pine reaching to the ceilin?, beautifully decorated with all kinds of useful and nnmmeutal trifles do;ir to children. When lighted up, rounds of applause greeted the manager aud his assistants, Mr W. Chappell, Mrs Chappel, Miss Finch, and the other ladies who helped to decor »te the tree, which must haie taken a deal of 1 ibonr to present the attractive appearance ii d-d. The chair was taken by Mr W, B rry, who presided throughout the evening. The first item on the pr ierunm« was a pianofirie duet, tiy Missoc Grace Finch and Winnie Rutherford, which w»k wry nici'ly plnyed indaed ; chorus. "Cutsh the .Siinshiiip," by the school children w.,s sung in excellent time., which must h.ive mattlied Miss All hi, wlki inin-'d the children. ■Soiiir by Miss Bsrniuo Berry, " Mother's Gentle Word, -, was sung most feelingly, this was the vonng ladies first appcirince, <nd her swe,;t vnicu win mneh admire i. 1 hope to hear her attain, when sho has c nquered hi r t.iiniility. Chorus, Miss Allan and school children. This was the piece of the evening, the children humming the notes of the chorus with closed lips the •'tfe.ct being like the sound of a eweei toned organ, at its conclusion i( was loudly applauded. After»niut.t'rvil,a|jiarsoiiiiteduet, •iy Daisy and Geoff. JJowdi-u, well executed: >ong and chorus, " H-i-li Litil- Baby," Miss Ciiosin and school i:hilili-,ui, followed by a ivcir:ition, "'Siurdy Jim,''by Master Lemprirr-a, very small b.<v. A .long and chorus " Ti-Dtry Wavside Well," ny Misses Autiin and Si'dan, was well received, u< aiso a recitation bv little Lillie ~ A song and chums. " Farewell to Study," nicely rendered by the children, concluded the musical p:iit of the enterainment. At tlw intiu-val our respected schoolmiister, Mr C.irufoilh, who is about to leave us, was culled upon to step forward, and informed by the chairman that he school children wished to have a word A-ith him. Miss C. Sinden then read the following address :—Alexandra, December 30ih, 18'Jl.—Dear Mr Cornforth : We, tho children attending the Alexandra public school, feel we cannot allow you to leave the district without showing you in some manner, however inadequate, our respect for you, and our appreciation of ynur kindness and many good qualities. We beg vou to accept the accc mpanying present as a slight token of our esteem and good wishes for your future happiness, prosperity and flood health.—(Signed) Cathkuink Sinde.v, Blaxchk Fin'cu (and other children). Miss Sinden then handed to recipient a very handsome silver-mounted pipe, in a case, to the evident surprise of Mr Coinfoith, as the donors intended. Mr Cornforth, in returning thanks for the unexpected gift was as he expressed it. taken all aback, not having anticipated any presentation. It was most flattering to inn, and he was glad indeed to find he was leaving friends who had appreciated his endeavours, to instruct them by kindness alone. He thanked them most heartily for their handsome present. He was sorry to leave them, but happy in believing that they parted in kindness. anH that he did not leave any enemy behind him. The distribution of prizes from the Christmaatree amidst no end of excitement, being satisfactorily completed, overy youngster iu the hall receiving a prize, terminated the proceedings, and pandemonium reigned for a few minutes, caused by the various new owners trying the notes of the several musical instruments they had won. This over and tho seats »ii(i now bare tree cleared out, dancing commenced, the first four for the juveniles and afterwards kept up till near daylight next morning by the adults present.