SCHOOL JUBILEE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 159, 18 April 1938, Page 3

SCHOOL JUBILEE

CELEBRATION AT MAYFIELD. BANQUET AND SPORTS. LARGE GATHERING- OF OLD PUPILS. The celebration of the Mayfield School jubilee was commenced on Saturday, when there was an attendance of about 350 ex-pupils and residents. Among those present were Mr E. Smith (Ashburton), the first teacher, Mr Stanley Smith, representing the Canterbury Education Board, the Rev. W. ITain, aged 94, the oldest Presbyterian minister in New Zealand and the first Presbyterian minister at Mayfield, Mrs W. Buchan (Temuka), the first assistant-mistress, and the following first-day pupils: Airs E. Beckett (Timaru), formerly Annie Kellalian; Aliss M. Christensen (Ashburton), Messrs J. Christensen, JohnCoskerie (Glenavy), John Kellalian (Christchurch) and David Kellalian (Washdyke).

The proceedings began with the enrolment of -old pupils, who signed the old pupils’ book giving the year in which they started school, and badges were issued to them for the particular decade in which they attended. Some time was spent jn meeting old acquaintances and exchanging experiences of school days.

• The jubilee banquet was held at midday. In the centre of the table was a large two-tier jubilee cake, with a miniature of the old school placed on top. It was surrounded by 50 candles, which were lit by Mrs R. Austin and Aliss D. Smith, daughters of the first headmaster.

Airs Buchan cut the cake. She said she was proud to be present among so many of her old pupils, whom she had always been pleased to meet. She mentioned the progress that Mayfield bad made, and congratulated old pupils on the success that they had made in .the district. Progress of District. A welcome was extended to former teachers and pupils by Air Raymond Oakley (chairman of the Alayfield School Committee, and chairman of the jubilee executive), who presided at the banquet. Since the beginning ol the school, he said, great alterations had been made. Although the Mayfield' land was stony, the soil was very fertile, and was regarded as one of the safest districts in Canterbury. The Mayfield Agricultural and Pastoral Association could be given th§ credit for the marked improvement in stock and produce during recent years. Other changes of a progressive nature stated Air Oakley, were the erection of a telephone exchange in 1922, the reticulation of the district witn electricity, which began 15 years ago, and the building of a new and up-to-date post office, which was opened lastyear. There were now 200 subscribers on the exchange. During the last 50 years, many pupils had lelt the district, Air Oakley continued. Some had given their lives in the Great War. The Canterbury Education Board had recently erected a new school residence, and now the only old building remaining to remind them of past years was the old! school stable. Air E. Smith, the first teacher at the school, said it was 51 years since be took up his position at the school. He arrived at Yaletta, and was taken to Alayfield by Mr T. Rainey, who had the mail contract for Alayfield and Ruapuna. Mr James Dellow accommodated him for the night. “Alayfield is in the fortunate position of being a central district,” said Air Stanley Smith, who predicted that it would have a much better and bigger school in the future. He added that it was pleasing to meet former teachers and pupils of the school. “If the drift of country children to the towns is to be stopped, educational! facilities will have to be provided in the country,” said the speaker. The future of a district depended largely on its school, he concluded.

Decade Races Held. Mr W. G. Gallagher, of Ashburton, who was chairman of the school committee from 1899 to 1901, saidi lie remembered the school ground when it was in tussocks. Mr Gallagher appealed to the young people to put their learning to good use, saying that there was a great need for individuality at the present time. He said ho was pleased to see Mr Hain present at the jubilee. ( Decade races were held in the alternoon, and resulted as follows: First Decade—Women: Mrs Hancock 1, Mrs J. Dennison 2. Men: C. Sewell 1, S. Miller 2. Second Decade—Women: Miss E. I.’retheway I, Mrs R. McCann 2. Mon: W. Burgess .1, R. Oakley 2. Third Decade—Women: Airs G. N. Harrison 1, Mrs W. Edis 2. Moil: J. Edmond. 1, It. Gallagher 2. Fourth Decade—Women: -Miss I. Simpson J, Miss E. Montgomery 2. Men: 11. Oakley L. 1). Simpson 2. Fifth Decade—-Men: Keith Gurney 1, R. D'ellow 2.

A programme of sports was also held, for school children, each child receiving a gift.

Combined Church Service.

A combined church service was held in the Band Hall yesterday afternoon, and was largely attended by visitors and residents of the district. The service was conducted by the Rev. Trevor Williams, assisted by the Rev. J. S. Freeman and the Rev. SS ■ Hain.

Air Freeman led the congregation in prayer and read the lessons. Mr Hain led, the prayer later in the service.. The address was given by Air Williams, who said the educational system played a large part in the destiny of the country. It was free and compulsory, and although it was good, it had its defects. “Teachers should be allowed to conduct Bible reading in schools,” said the speaker, who added that no education was complete which did not include religious instruction. He urged parents to introduce prayers into their homes, and appealed to them

to join with their children in prayer and Bible reading. Suitable hymns were sung, the service closing with the National Anthem. The executive, with Mr Oakley (chairman), Messrs G. B. Murdoch (treasurer), and A. Id. Guiney (secretary) was largely responsible for the success of the arrangements.

The jubilee celebrations will conclude with a ball at Mayfield this evening.