COURTENAY SCHOOL JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15917, 2 June 1917, Page 11

COURTENAY SCHOOL JUBILEE.

REUNION OF. OLD SCHOLARS. I A pleasant function was held at the Courtenay School yesterday afternoon, the occasion being tbo reunion of old scholars to mark tho jubilee of the school. •Tbo bell was rung at 2.50 jj.ni., and over two hundred names called out. Thoso who answered the roll-call were : —John Barr (Yaldhurst), Henry McXae, Margaret McNa© (Mrs Robertson), Georgina Cowan (Mrs Collison), G. T. Robertson, John. Beattv, Margaret Cowan (Mrs JOde), Andrew McNae, James Weir (Heatiicotc), Donald Mcßeath (Kirwce), and G. W. Leadley (Ashburton). These scholars were admitted between January and Octobor, 1867,

Tho promoters of the function were Mr J. Cowan and - Mr McNac. Apologies for absence. were received front Messrs G. Robertson, A. Kingdon (Gore), F. W. Adams (Greendale), Fraxik Drayton, A. Wliyte, tho Rev. Mr Brown (Kirwce), and Miss 31. Gibson (Taranaki). _ "When, tho -school was first erected (ill 1857), the surroundings consisted of tutu, fem, flax, and tussocks. There wero no roads, only tracks. Wiro fences were tho only shelter. Soon a few sod huts and a blacksmith's shop blossomed in tho desert —adjacent to a property owned by Mr H. A. Knight, of I'acc course Hill, and called I>esert Station. Tho next settlers were Messrs Robertson, Lennox, Cowan, Walker, i Barr, and Littlcjohn. They often received calls from people on the way to tho West Coast diggings. Mails tvero only taken by coaches twico a. week. Yesterday's banquet in honour of tho Jubileo was a most sumptuous one. Tho following toasts were honoured: — "Tho King" (Mr G. Robertson), "Board of Education" (Mr James Weir, responded to bv Messrs Andrews, of tho Education Board, and Poverill, of tho Education Board), "Health of Old Settlers" (Mr John Barr), "Old Identities," (Mr McNae), "Agriculture" (Mr W. Jenkins, Waddington, responded to by Mr Leadley). Speeches were made bv Messrs J. Cowan, Geo. Lead Icy, W. .McNae. and Robertson. Songs were contributed by Mis H Gladys liobartson. tho Rev. Pcrcv Revell, and Mr Malcolnv. (>St. .Albans School).

Tho oldest identities present at the gathering were Mr John Bedford and* Mr D.ysart, both sjilendid specimens of tho early pioneers. Mr L<-adley commented on the Jiaidihond and daring of the early settlers, and contrasted tho position of affairs to-day with tho struggles and privations of tho pioneers. The population of New Zealand was then 218.663 (1867). and nojv over one million. Exports then yielded £1,335.000, and now over £32.000,000. Mr Cbcyue. was the. first schoolmaster, and school is still held: in the original building. Tho reunion was n. most happy function, and much credit is dur, to tho ladies of the district who helped to cater for the occasion. Teachers present were Miss Dohson (Courtonay), Mis-t Sloan (Kirwoe School), Miss Rogers (.Kinibrrley), Miss Rankiu (now Mrs Duncan), Air Malcolm (St. Albans), and Air Kingdon (Christchurch).