CHARTERIS BAY SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 18 May 1929, Page 7

CHARTERIS BAY SCHOOL.

ANNIVERSARY REUNION. PLEASANT DAY SPENT. There was a very large gathering of residents of Cliarteris Bay and district, and of ex-pupils of the Charteris Bay School, now resident in other parts, on Thursday, when a reunion was held to eelebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the school. Those present included two former masters, Messrs A. Cooper and F. J. Alley. The school building was decorated for the occasion, and a large bonfire was kept burning outside during the afternoon and evening. In the afternoon sports were held, the course being the main road in front of the school, and in the evening a dance was held in the school. The guests were met on arrival by members of the .Reunion Committee, which comprised some of the first pupils of the school, and were welcomed by the chairman, Mr Oliver Hunter, Church Bay. Proceeding to the school the gathering partook of afternoon tea, while many old acquaintanceships were renewed. All formality was dispensed with and childhood names were adhered to, although in some instances re-intro-ductions were necessary. After the afternoon tea a formal reunion took place, Mr Oliver Hunter presiding. He extended a welcome to the old pupils and other visitors. He briefly outlined the history of the school, stating that prior to the building of the school use was made of a shed on the property of Mr Allan. That was in 1870, The site for the school was presented to the Government by the late Mr R. R. Bradley. One acre was so given and the Education Department purchased an additional quarter acre to make the site the regulation area. The ; building was erected in 1878 by Messrs Holliss and Williams, of Lyttelton. The 1 first teacher, Mr James Willis, was ap- ! pointed on January 3rd, 1879, and the I school was officially opened on January ; 21st. Originally the sehool was known as the Governor's Bay South sehool, and the Teddington School, which for some years was run in conjunction with the Charteris Bay School under one chairman and one teacher, was known as Gebbie's Road School. The chairman was Mr Robert Blatchford, 1879-1887. Mr Robert Anderson was chairman for a short period in 1887. Mr R. R. Bradley was chairman from 1890 to 1892, and Mr Robert Anderson from 1892 until the school was closed in 1895. He paid a tribute to the good work of the early settlers of Charteris Bay. Mr A. Coopor, a former master of the school, mentioned the pride which he felt when he was appointed to the position in 1884, at a salary of £l3O. Mr Cooper then called the roll, twenty-two of those present responding, of a total of 90, who had attended the sehool. Those who answered the roll-call were: Hay Hay, John Hay, John Hunter, Christina Margaret Henderson (M rs Harold Gardiner), Jane Allan, Gideon Henderson, Jessie Hay, Margaret Anderson, Margaret Hunter, John T. iiay, William Anderson, Tom Henderson, Frank Simpson, Robert Hunter, Robert A. Anderson, Barbara Henderson, Margaret Hay, Willi m Dean, Oliver Hunter Walter Anderson, Elizabeth J. Henderson, Margaret Helen Hunter, William Hay, Andrew Anderson. The chairman announced that it naa been suggested by some of the ola. prpils that a reunion should be held annually, and this announcement was enthusiastically received. A progranime of sports was then held, with the followWalter A»; al The e r d e'union was concluded in the with an old-time and modem evening Gardiner was MC™ The ••Mdler" wm «»» •' «» minils Mr T. Henderson, of Ohoka, and Viss M. Williams was pianist.