WOODEND DISTRICT SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17104, 28 March 1921, Page 4

WOODEND DISTRICT SCHOOL.

EE UNION OF OLD SCHOLARS. » On Saturday afternoon the scholars that attended ±lie AVoodend District School between the years 1677 and 1852,. under the headmastcrship of Mr C. S. Howard, held a reunion at the school. The function was convened by Mr W. Stalker, who was assisted by an enthi*siastii; committee formed from eld scholars. When tho proposal lor the reuuion was first suggested it. was decided that no function could tako placo without in sonic way showing a little ot tho appreciation and respec;. of *luo old scholars for their headmaster. It was then decided that when the reunion took place opportunity should bo taken to present Alt C. S. Howard with an illuminated address. The proceedings 011 Saturday opened with tho ringing of tho school bell at 1 p.m., when tho old pupils lined up outside the school, and were introduced to Air Howard. After the introduction those present filed into tho school, Mr Stalker taking the chair. There was a. large gathering. % Alter the toast of "The King" had ten honoured, tho chairman, in presenting Mr He ward with the address, signed by sixtytwo ox-pupils, said it was very gratifying to sco such a largo attendance present. He had anticipated a successful gathering, but not such a large one, and lie thought that a, great deal of tho credit was due to the committee. Ho was pleased to see so many of the old scholars present, some of .whom had. como from tho North Island specially for tho occasion. The ides, of the reunion had originated last Labour Lay; when another school had inaugurated a similar function. Ho had. determined on a similar proposal, the outcome of which was their presence there that day. At tho same timo he thought that they had not gone quite far enough. A better idea would ho to form "an Old Scholars' Association, and as soon as a. pupil pasßcd through tho school • he would be eligible to joiti. An annual subscription of Is would cover air expenses, and no matter where tho members were, they would remember their rouniori day as long Sis it was held on the samo day ifi each year. • Next yea.r ho would'like. to see them hold a picnic. They were all pleased to see- their I old schoolmaster, and to see him so well; Personally the> speaker looked upon their •guest as a master of schoomasters. Ho had received most of his education under Mr Howard. Ho sincerely appreciated what Mr Howard had done for him. On behalf of. tho old • scholars, it gave him tho greatest pleasure to hand him an illuminated address, on ■which 62 of his old pupils had subscribed their names. He wished Mr Howard long lifo and happiness. , Mr Howard, ■ who was received with applause, suitably acknowledged tho gift. 11l a reminiscent spoecli lie referred to several of the old pupils of the school-, who had made their mark in tho world. . Mr F. Horrcll, who proposed the toast' of "The Old Scholars," said he was very pleased to be present to do honour to a gentle-; man who had devoted tho whole of hiß lif© to the cause of education. ,It was also "very pleaain" to note that the chairman had taken the step that he had in reuniting the old scholars who were able to come together and tali over old times, and compare notes as to the progress made in life by each 1 of them. Ho hoped that-tho reunion would become &n annual affair. Personally, he would like to' see all his old school companions, but, unfortunately, the majority had passed into ■the b-oyond. He was ono of the firat schoara' of the first school, and that took them back to ISG9. The first school,, was a_ sod whare with the schoolhous© adjoining. Tli®ir desks were Bft x 3ft planks on trestles. In. those days education cost Is per week, ana there ware none of the present-day privileges. Mr W. Stalker suitably responded. ■ Messrs A. IronSido (Hororata), H. Fairer (Kaiapoi), E. Norton (Wellington), and Jno. Stalker (Greenpark) also made reference to Mr Howard's sterling qualities as a man and a teacher. Other toasts honoured were Iho Location System of New Zealand,'' proposed by Mr "W. A. Banks, and responded to by ilr T E Strachan, Principal of tho Hangiora Hi-'li School; "The Younger' Generation,'proposed by Mr A. Catchpole, and responced to by Mr J. Stanton. At the conclusion of the toast-list the old. scholars wero photographed in a. group, alter which afternoon tea. was partaken of. As soon as afternoon tea had been disposed of those present adjourned to the playaround. where a sports meeting was held, £nd a couple of tins of lollies wero distributed amongst the juveniles. Tho sports resulted as follows: . 75yds Old Scholars' Raoe (lo Smith 1, A. Judson 2, A. Ironside 3. Tune 10 50vds e 6ld Scholars' Bace, ladies (s)—Mrs TV. Leech 1, Mrs E. E. Pateman 2, Mts 1. Scott 3. Time Csec. , nn\-Y ■ Second Generation, 75yds, boys (W-K.. "Whitlow 1, H. Petre 2, E. Little 3. Time 10 ?syds Second Generation,' girls (B)—Queenie Flutey i ( Veronica Bushford 2* Pnscilla Flu ley 3. Time 12»ec. „ • . _ ~ lOOvds over IG, open (6) —R. Petrie l._ M. Derbidge 2, J. Chinnery 3. Time 10 4-osec.