Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph and General Weekly Reporter for the Counties of Pembroke Cardigan Carmarthen Glamorgan and the Rest of South Wales

Tasker's High School. BRILLIANT SUCCESSES. A New Record Established. "Prize day" in connection with Tasker's High School is always a popular function. aDO. notwith- standing roads made dangerous by a sudden frost, the Masonic llall, Haverfordwest, was crowded last Thursday afternoon by an audience which followed with undiminished interest, a programme of astonish- ingly high artistic merit, as well as the subsequent proceedings which reflected the more solid work of the school year. The result of that work is seen in an unparalleled hst of successes and distinctions. Since Miss James liris been headmistress the school has established a new record, and now occupies a unique position in the county. The Headmistress is assisted by an e^cytionnHy ab'.r .-taf, i-U srder devoted to their work. THE ENTERTAINMENT. As usual, the programme on Thursday opened with an entertainment, the preparation of which must have meant many weeks of bard painstaking work. Quite appropriately nearly every item was from the works of Shakespeare or bad a distinctly Shakespearean atmosphere. Moliere, from one of whose plays a scene was charmingly presented, has not the width and vast compass, nor the universality of the dramatist whom Miss James rightly described as our greatest Englishman, but he is, perhaps, the nearest approach to Shakespeare that the French national genius has been able to produce. The pro- gramme opened with the song, Orpheus with bis lute" (Edward German), sweetly and tunefully rendered by Division 1. Then came a very difficult Swedish drill, performed with grace and precision of movement, and reflecting the greatest credit not only on the pupils themselves but on Miss Gwen Rees, who was responsible for the arduous work of preparation. Division II entertained the audience to two Shakespearean songs, It was a Lover and his Lass" (Murlcy) and "Where the Bee sucks" (Ante), in which the careful work of Miss Saddler was seen. The scene from Moliere's play, Les Procieuses Ridicules," lent variety to the pro- gramme. In it we see how Jean Baptiste Poquelin —to give Moliere his real name—satirises, like our own Thackeray, the folly and vices of his age as they were seen by a rather close and exact observer. Re is not fancifully creative, as Shakespeare could be- as for instance in The Midsummer Night's Dream —but he was a master of farcical comedy. The point of the" scene enacted was not, we think, that a "vulgar" valet could impose on fine ladies, but that the vanity and folly of the ladies were such as to evoke the contempt even of the valet. The characters were taken by:-E. Evans (Madelon), I. Cornwell (Cathos), D. Evans (Mascarille—valet de La Grange), I K Wylie (La Grange—gentilhomme), A. Thomas (Marotte—servante). The performers spoke French fluently, and with an accent envied by many older ftlk. In the minuet dances (D. L'ewelhn and M. Sage.), there were pianoforte and vioiin accompaniments— the former being played by Miss Saddler and the latter by Mr Colin Jenkins. The dancers had been prepared with great care and attention by Miss Barbam. The pianoforte duet—an overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream "-was a clever little effort by E. Bowler and I. Crook, and gave a tone to the Scenes which followed. These were from "A Midsummer Night's Dream," in which Shakespeare added new grace to faery lore. In fact it may be said that he almost re-modelled and re-invented it. The very names of the laeries carry a charm with them-Oberon, Titania, Puck, Robin Goodfeliow, Peasebloasom, Mustard, seed, &c. We are charmed indeed by the captivating enthusiasm with which Shakespeare entered into this ideal world and sported with these favourite children of his fancy. As "Oberon" M. Hyde was a notable success., and in the assigning of this and other parts great care and discrimation were exercised. W. Griffiths wug It beautiful Titauia, and suetaiued her ¡,¡.. ;>uiir»h!y throughout, while L. Sayce as Bottom filled her tnio with distinction. The other parts were well taken by the following :-Puck, V. Morgan Peaseblossom, B. Wheatley; Cobweb, N. Jones; Moth, E. Sage Mustardseed, H. James; Elvet;, G. Davies, J. Bradford, L. Davies, M. James; Quince, Eva James Flute, F. Williams; Snout, L. James; Snug, I. Williams. It should be stated that the training of the pupils in the plays was entrusted to Miss Doris Swindell, who is almost unrivalled in this kind of work. HEADMISTRESS'S REPORT. After the entertainment Arch. Hilbera presided, and the others present on the platform were Mrs Hilbers, Mrs Lloyd Davies, Glanafon (who distri- buted the prizes), Miss Lloyd Davies, Rev. W. Mendus, Mr T. Randle Dawkins and the head- mistress (Miss James). On ascending the platform Mrs Lloyd Davies and Miss James were presented with beautiful bouquets by Beatrice Bishop and Irene Roberts respectively. Miss James read her report as follows Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,—I beg to present to you my report for the year 1916. The numbers in the school are very well maintained and have this term reached their highest level in the his- tory of the school. We have this year also the greatest number of Central Welsh Board certificates the school has ever gained, with the highest num- ber of distinctions. The examination successes have been as follows:—In July twelve girls gained Senior Central Welsh Board certificates with five distinctions in scripture, two in arithmetic, one in botany, one in geography, two in drawing, and three in cookery. One girl gained a supplementary certifi- cate in geography. Last December Ethel Dawkins passed the Senior Cambridge Local examination. Eight girls gained Junior Central Welsh Board cer- tificates with six distinctions in scripture, one in arithmetic, one in drawing and two in cookery. Two other girls also reached distinction standard in scripture and one in cookery, but were too old to receive the distinction award. May I point out that a girl who is over thirteen in the July of the year in which she enters the school can very seldom achieve distinction in the Junior examination. The following successes have been won in music examinations :-Ida Cornwell has gained the local centre certificate in Rudiments of Music of the Joint Board of the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music, gaining 95 marks out of 99; of Trinity College examinations Dorothy James and Margaret Llewellin have passed in the senior division, Eva Bowler in the junior division in May and the inter- mediate in December, Katie Owen in the junior division with honours, and Kathleen Thomas the first steps. All the various school activities-the literary and debating society, and the hockey and tennis cjubs- have been well maintained, while in the summer term tennis and net-ball tournaments were held. The school garden has been entirely reorganised, a large part of it being devoted to vegetable culture. We hope to do still more of such work in the coming year. In March a school eisteddfod was held, and early in the summer term we celebrated the Shakespeare ter centenary. A day was given to the representa- tion of scenes from different plays of Shakespeare by members of various forms, each of which was responsible for the selections from one play. We have to-day continued our tribute to the memory of our greatest Englishman, for our programme has been taken almost entirely from his works. This term a school sketch club has been started to pro- mote and encourage individual and original work in design and illustration, and also an rural training class for the younger girls, to train their sense of rhythm and their power of appreciating great music apart from the individual study of an instrument. The pupils play .on drums, cymbals, tambourines and triangles their own accompaniment to the music to which they listen, and express the rhythm by move- ments of bands, feet and body. An evening class in typewriting and shorthand has again been held this winter; the class has been quite full and will be continued after Christmas. Although the intellectual work and the social activities of the school have been carried on as usaal, we have tried to take our share in the volun- tary war service, eaoh of us is now called upon to give. Since last January the school has every week se?t a parcel of food and sometimes of clothing to a prisoner of war in Germany-hitherto we have sent direct to him parcels to the total value of about £ 8, in future the money to provide a similar parcel will be sent to the Welsh Regiment Prisoners of War Asso- ciation, of which Mrs Ivor Philipps is the secretary. ;C4 4a has been sent to the Star and Garter Hospital fund, 28s 3d to the Red Cross Association, while the proceeds of our Christmas party will go to the fund tor the Russian wounded. Herbs have been col- lected, dried and sent to Mrs Tamlyn. In addition, soldiers' comforts have been knitted, some for the general fund and some for the girls own relatives, many of whom are at the front. It has been very grfttiljmg to find the extent to which old girls of the school have been doing war work. Constance Gwatkin is working at Somerset House, and Alice Carrow under the War Office in France. Two old girls have done Red Cross work abroad, and three others in large hospitals in England, while several have worked at Cottesmore. Many are filling the places of men in offices and in business houses in H verford west. Jt gives me great pleasure to record the following successes Rained by old girls of the school :—Doris Phillips, who is working at King's College, London, las passed the London Intermediate B.A. examina- tion. Mary Rees, Muriel Michael and May Warren have gained the Board of Education Teachers' Certificate, ISora Reynolds has almost completed her first term at Barry Training College. We offer them all our congratulations and good wishes for their further success. As a school too we should like to tender our very ,rca.t sympathy to the parents of two old girls who ')a.e died this year—Irene Roberts and Edna Phillips. There have happily for some time been no changes upon the school staff; but this Christmas Mrs Roberts leaves us. Her energy and ability have greatly strengthened the domestic side of the school. Our loss is her husband's very great gain. I would like to express my great appreciation of the enthusiasm and energy of the mistresses who are >rkir<g with me upon the staff of the school. They ,? ? .?'ired themselves no effort in order to main- 1t.tJ,in tbf. mtpiiectu?l lard and the social life of the .>hool, and I would thank them all most warmly for their unfailing support and co-operation. May I once more offer my cordial thanks to the Governors for their interest and help and to all those who have so generously contributed prizes. The times in which we are now living are grave beyond all conception, but we look forward beyond the bitter pain and loss to the years to come when those who are now young will build up an England greater than all our dreams, purified by the strain and the sacrifice of to-day. In that great building women will have their share; there will be careers and opportunities for public service open to our girls, and for these we must prepare. Such opportunities are already presenting them- selves. I have information with regard to work in the new Pensions department and under the National Insurance Commissioners, and also in the Women's National Land Service Corps which I will very glady give to anyone who desires it. But these are only beginnings; in the coming reconstruction such possibilities will increase, and it is the ideal of the school to lay such a fonndation of power to undertake responsibility, of capacity for concentra- ted work and of sustained attention, and above all of srrength of character, of the courage which laughs at difficulties, but the tenderness which understands the failings of comrades, as will fit those who leave us to take their share in the life of the great empire which is ours. May I quote the words of a great Irish educa- tionist In pleading for an attractive school life I do not plead for making school-life one long grand picnic; the keynote of the school-life I desiderate is effort on the part of the child himself, struggle, self- sacrifice, self-discipline; for by these things only does the soul rise to perfection. I believe in gentle- ness, but not in softness. I would not place too heavy a burden on young shoulders, but I would see that no one, boy or man, shirk the burden he is strong enough to bear." THE CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH. I The Chairman paid a warm tribute to the bead- mistress and her staff for the quality of the enter- tainment and for the brilliant successes gained by the school. The school's financial position was sound and more than sound. He regretted that more Governors were not present which be attributed to a general praiseworthy industry but in this case a modesty that was mis-applied, in the case of people of mature years. (Laughter.) The teach- ing given in the school would enable girls to take their place in the world-more especially be hoped in woman's special domain—her own home. (Applause.) It was not enough, however, for parents to send their children to school for two or three years, just for them to say they had been to Tasker's. That only provided them with a sort of veneer, or varnish. What they wanted was to develop a sound mind in a sound body. (Applause. I PRIZE LIST. j Mrs. Lloyd Davies then presented the prizes as follows Form Prizes.—Form Va. (presented by the Chairman), Olive Morris; Form Vb., (presented by the Chairman), Nellie Absalom; Form IV., Winifred Griffiths; Form III., Irene Williams; Form Ila., Madeline Bollom; Form lib., Joan Bradford. English.—Form Va., Edith Phillips; Form Vb., Nellie Absalom; Form IV., Katie Owen; Form Ill., Lilian 6ayee. Mathematics.— Form Va. Kathleen Wylie; Form IV., Gwen Martin; Form III., Gwen Lewis and Fanny Williams; Form lla., Gwladys Weller. Languages.—Form Vb., Iùa, Cornwell; Form IV., iiaisy Evans; Form III., Laura Thomas; Form Ila., Ida Evans. Science.—Form Va., Winifred Dixon; Form Vb., Ida Cornwell; Form IV., Winifred Grif- fiths; Form III., Florence Williams; Form Ila., Madeline Bollom. opecial Prizes.—Scripture (presented by Mrs. Dawkins, Haylett), Nellie Absalom; Music (pre- sented by the Old Girls' Association), Irene Crook; Drawing, (presented by Miss Llewellin) Winifred Dixon; Needlework, (presented by Miss Maria Evans), Elizabeth Morris; Cookery senior (presented by Lady Kensington) Lilian James; Junior (presented by Mrs. Stokes, St. Botolphe) Daisy Evans; Gardening (presented by Mrs. Lloyd Davies) Margaret Roberts; Hoc- key) presented by Mrs. Howell Walters) Kath- leen Wylie; Tennis-single (presented by Miss Dawkins, Redhill) Olive Trew; Tennis-doubles Gwen Davies and Nan Ritchie; Drill, Irene Dixon and Dorothy James; Drill, form prize, (presented by Mr. T. R. Dawkins) Form Va.; Nell Ball, prize (presented by Mr. Herbert Price), Form IV.; Form Room prize (presented by the Headmistress), Form lib. Certificates. Senior Central Welsh Board. Nellie Ob- salom distinction in Scripture), Nellie Bill (with distinction in Scripture), Ida Corn- well (wth distinction in Scripture), Irene Dixon (with distinction in Drawing), Winifred • Dixon (with distinction in Arithmetic) Botany, Geography and Drawing), Estella Evane, Olive Morris, Edith Phillips. Vera Reynolds (with distinction in Scripture and Cookery) Irene Russell (with distinction in Arithmetic and Cookery), Allie Thomas (with distinction in Scripture and Cookery), Kathleen Wylie. Senior Cambridge Local Certificate.—Ethel Dawkins. Supplementary Certificate in Geography.— Emily Davies. Junior Certificate.—Daisy Evans, Elsie Evans (with distinction in Scripture), Winifred Grif- fiths, (with distintion in Scripture, Arithmetic and Cookery), Irene Hall (wiTh distinction in Scripture), Eva James (with distinction in Scripture, Drawing and Cookery), Edna Ivemplay (with distinction in Scripture), Gwen Martin, Katie Owen (with distinction in Scrip- ture). Music Certificates. Royal Academy, local centre, in rudiments of music, Ida Cornwell; Trinity College, senior, Dorothy James and Margaret Llewellin; Intermediate, Eva Bowler; Junior, Eva Bowler and Katie Owen (honours); 1st Step, Kathleen Thomas. Having distributed the prizes, Mrs Lloyd Davies referred to the importance of women's work in the future, and to the many opportunities open to educated girls. She alluded to the necessity of missionary work in China, India, and Africa, and mentioned that she had just read a book on medical missions—a work of absorbing interest to those who undertake it. It was gratifying to find that much attention was given in the school to needlework and gardening, both of which she had always regarded as essential parts of a girl's education. The Rev. W. Mendus proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Lloyd Davies, and referred sympa- thetically to the cause of the absence of Mrs John James, who was a regular attendant at these gatherings. THE SHYEST GOVERNOR. 1 Mr Mendus, afterwards created laughter by describing himself as the shyest School Gover- nor, but the Chairman promptly got up and claimed this distinction. Mr Dawkins then twitted the clerical gentlemen on their shyness, and speaking courageously as a layman, proposed a vote of thanks to the Headmistress and her staff, mention- ing that the school at the present moment had reached a point that bad never been reached before- financially, educationally, and numerically. In con- clusion Mr Dawkins remarked that be was not endowed with those gifts of oratory which they had lately heard of as being so moving in character as to lift a wedge:trom underneath a table. (Laughter.) That—he added with pleasant wit—was the combined result, he believed, of milk and something stronger (More laughter.) The votes of thanks were agreed to, and a similar vote was passed to the Chairman for presiding. A message was received from Mrs Howell Walters to the effect that she bad been prevented from com- ing up from the Haven owing to the state of the l roads.

I) \1' I: \)1 CBISIEI C. SAIIE, I '10 < t. l\ iJ ,I Ii ii, J 11 I Begs to draw attention to his choice stock of useful goods suitable for CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. The choosing of suitable Gifts at this season of the year is always a difficult problem, but something to wear is always acceptable. We give a few suggestions, and in all the lines mentioned can show you a large and choice selection. GLOVES FURS OVERALLS &c. PINAFORE SOCKS COATS &c. FOR LADIES. HOSIERY HANDKERCHIEFS NECKWEAR &c. FOR CHILDREN. FUR SETS POLKAS GLOVES &c. UMBRELLAS SCARVES BLOUSES &c. PALETOTS FROCKS HOSIERY &c. SAIES, THE HOUSE FOR USEFUL PRESENTS. Market Street Haverfordwest. Present yourself or your friend with a dainty Bluu e for Christmas. We have a lovely selection of the well-known St. MARGARET BLOUSES which are to-day unrivalled. Made of Jap Silk and Crepe de Chene in the following colours:— White, Cream, Pink, Pale Blue and Saxe Blue. UNDERWEAR. We have a good stock of the favourite "Nelson" and "St. Margaret" Underwear— Vests, Bodices, Combinations, etc. All wool and unshrinkable. We shall be obliged if you will favour us with a call. See the goods for yourself. W. EVANS SON, The Welsh Stores, 35 & 37, Dew St., Haverfordwest. 277 BOWLER'S Is the recognised Shop for QUALITY. We have the following in great variety and at lowest possible prices:- Plum Puddings. Mincemeat. Crackers. Oranges. Apples. Chocolates (Fancy Boxes). Brazil Nuts. Almond Nuts, &c. Tins Shortbread. Fancy Tins Biscuits. Iced Cakes. Wines (non-alcoholic). Finest Bacon & Hams. Sausages (fresh daily). Teas (unequalled by any other house) I &c., &c., & c. Bowler, 31, High Street, H=West. DENTAL STTRG-ERT. Messrs. EDWARD ENGLAND Limited Oan be consulted every WEDNESDAY at CHESTER HOUSE, 8 PICTON PLACE, HAVERFORDWEST, From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ———— ALSO AT ———— Mr. MEYLER'S, Chemist, Charles Street, Milford Haven, EVERY MONDAY. ARTIFICIAL TEETH on English and American Systems. All the New Specialities of MODERN DENTISTRY. Single Tooth from 5/ Upper or Lower Set from 50/ NOTICE.-All Letters to be addressed to- BRECKNOCK HOUSE, TENBY.