FITZHERBERT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 21, 21 December 1932, Page 2

FITZHERBERT

(From Our Own Correspondent). FITZHERBERT, Deo. 19. The Aokautere Hall was packed to its utmost capacity on Thursday evening when the school children of the district and their parents and friends were entertainod by the Aokautere Women’s Institute on the occasion of the annual Christmas troo for the children, and, later in the evening, the prize-giving in connection with the' school. The institute organised the evening’s entertainment and Mrs Brereton, solo teacher at the school put on a short programme of children’s items at the commencement of the festivities. The largo Christmas tree, laden with beautiful gifts for all of the children of the district, numbering 99, presented a gay appearance and tl;e arrival of Father Christmas to distribute tho gifts, gladdened, the hearts of all. A bevy of workers assisted in the distribution, and Father Christmas made the innumerable presentations in a very happy manner. When the last gift had been removed from the tree. Father Christmas, asked the children to give three hearty cheers for the institute members who ha<l worked hard to give them such an enjoyable evening. Considering tho fact that there was a total of 111 names to bo called, the behaviour of the children was exemplary, and big and little waited patiently for his or her name to be called. To Mrs Kristensen, who marshalled the children, the thanks of the committee are due. Others who gave valuablo assistance to the president (Mrs Greves) and tho secretary (Mrs W. F. Field) were Mesdames Orr, Clausen, L. Hastings. Misses F. Vowell, ’C. Field and E. Anderson; while to the ladies who looked after the supper arrangements the thanks of the whole assemblage are duo, it being a big undertaking to serve supper to such a large gathering. A special feature of the entertainment was tho presentation of prizes by Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., who was introduced by tho secretary of the School Committee, Mrs W. F. Field, who apologised for the absence of Mr S. W. Lankshear, chairmau of the committee, who, unfortunately, was too ill to attend. Mr. Nash, who said he always enjoyed coming to Aokautere, was greeted with applause. He thanked the committee for having again invited him to this function as it was one that he had not missed for many years, and ho knew many of the boys and girls, to whom he had presented prizes, from the time they had started school to the present time, when they had completed their primary education. He congratulated the boys and girls on the beautiful books they were to reeeivo and urged them to make the most of their education and todo all they could to help their parents through this trying time. The prize-list was as follows: —Standard VI.: J. Lankshear and E. Woods (tie for dux) 1, M. Vowell 2, N. Brill 3: G. Strawbridge. Standard V. : T. Strawbridge 1. Standard IV. : E. Petersen 1, J. Brill 2, J. Kristensen 3, B. Cox. Standard 111. : E. Blenkiron 1. Standard 11. : D. Durden 1, It. Smith 2, D. Brill. Standard 1. : B. Woods 1, I. Petersen 2, B. Greves 3. Primer 4: 11. Lankshear, 11. Durden. Primer 3: M. Hunt 1, Zeta Atkinson. Primer 2: J. Chowen 1, D. Woods, B. Greves. Primer 1: B. Clausen 1, A. Grace 2, N. Woods and M. Atkinson 3. Full attendance prizes (Mr Swallow’s specials) : J. Lankshear, W. Anderson, J. Kristensen. Attendance prizes (for having missed only one day, committee’s specials) : M. Vowell and B. Cox. Sewing prize (committee’s special) seniors, M. Vowell; juniors D. Durden; (Mrs Anderson’s special), H. "Lankshear; (Mrs Hoperoft’s special), N. Brill; (Mrs Woodley’s special), boys’ sewing D. Brill. Mr Nash s special (singing), 11. Lankshear; Mr Linklater’s, D. Brill; (Mrs Brercton’s special), hoys’ sewing, J. Chowen. At the conclusion of the prize-giving cheers were given for the committee, tho teachers and .parents, and the scholars and all present then gave three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Nash and passed them a special vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation. .Supper was then served and dancing continued till well after midnight, music being supplied by tho members of the institute and an extra being provided by Mr Hunter. Mr Kristensen officiated as M.C. Mrs A. K Greves, president of the institute, thanked Father Christmas for his attendance and. said that the aim of. the institute had been to give the children of the district a happy evening, and members would bo well recompensed for all their work on hca.ring the expressions of gratitude on all sides. The large attendance, it was pleasing to noto, was a representative gathering of every family in the district, many of whom were strangers, but to whom such a gathering would afford an opportunity to meet and know their neighbours. The committee, in expressing thanks to all who helped, wish to mention Mr Greves, for providing and erecting the tree; Mr Kristensen, for carrying out the duties of M.C.; the School Committee, for providing the sweets; and others too numerous to mention who gave assistance