SCHOOL JUBILEE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 283, 30 November 1933, Page 9

SCHOOL JUBILEE.

HENDERSON REUNION. SIXTY YEARS OF HISTORY. CELEBRATIONS NEXT MONTH. Preparations are in train at Henderson for the jubilee both of the school and the district, which is to be held on December 15, 16 and 17. Though the district was settled long before .1873, the residents thought it a fitting time to celebrate the 60th milestone on the road of Henderson's years. An executive committee of eleven members has been set up, and in their hands the preparation for the jubilee lies. They have prepared a pamphlet, which has been circularised to as many J old pupils of the school and old resi-; dents of the district as possible. In connection with the event, a souvenir booklet has been prepared, which contains not merely reading matter and photographs dealing with the history of the school, but shows also the development of the district. Hehderson has had a chequered career, more so than the average person would realise. There is another side to the jubilee: the reunion. "It is needless to point out," says the pamphlet, "that the celebrations will afford a unique opportunity for ,a reunion, of ex-scholars, pioneers and old residents of Henderson. Many of .the pioneers have passed away, but we feel that' there are among those who remain very few who would not wish to meet once again " When Sawmilling Flourish. On the Friday, the first day of the celebrations, there is to be a reception in the Town Hall, then a procession to the school. The procession will be in order of decades of attendance at the school. After will come the roll call, followed by addresses at the school. In the evening will be the jubilee ball and a reunion for the old pupils. The next day a motor tlie district-will

be held for the old identities, and at noon a reunion lunch. In the afternoon sports for young and old will be held. Appropriately, on the third day, the Sunday, an undenominational church service will be held in the Town Hall. Inquiries and good wishes have been received from as far away as Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Christchurch and the West Coast, while the whole district is enthusiastic about the whole affair. There is a streamer over the main road telling passers-by of the coming event. Henderson is an old-established district. It took its name from Henderson's mill, which used to be the centre of the sawmilling industry. Mr. Henderson owned much of the*land thereabouts; in fact it was he who gave the site on which the school now stands. It is hard to believe, looking at the muddy stretch of water these days, that a flfcet of eight scows used to pa6s up the river to carry the timber away. That was in the 'forties.

Heir to Progress. It was some time after this that the school proper was established. In 1873 the Provincial Government began to make educational grants, and Henderson became heir to its share. The first school was at Henderson's mill itself, the second where the main building now is, while the latest addition is the infant school just above the main building. The first school committee meeting was held in the old hotel, under the chairmanship of Mr. R. Laurie. Four families, well-known in Henderson, were t connected with the early school, in fact with the district. They were the Lauries, the Duncans, the Hepburns and : the Huestons. i But these are things out of the past.). The present is now, to-day, and it is in the spirit of the present the jubilee will be held; but while this is so, while a. jubilee is symbolic of progress, there will be many present only because of the past. ,