"Youth No Worse Than In Past Years”—Mr McAlpine

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 14

"Youth No Worse Than In Past Years”—Mr McAlpine

Young people were as good and better now than they had been years ago, said the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) on Saturday. The Minister spoke to 300 persons who attended a function to mark the ninetieth anniversary of Weedons School a two - roomed primary school near Christchurch.

“There is a tendency to decry and blame the young I people of modern times,” he said.

“Delinquency, as it has come to be known today, has gone on always. In the old days the actions of the young were called practical jokes.” Where the activities get beyond a practical joke, the homes, and not the schools, were to blame. “There is a tendency to blame the schools and the educational system. I don’t think this has anything to do with it,” said Mr McAlpine. Among those present was the earliest living pupil, 87. year-old Mr J. Curragh. who joined the school in 1879; and the latest pupil, Christopher Morris aged five. Function Opened

Mr Curragh rang the school bell when the function was opened by Mr J. H. Weaver, chairman of the Paparua County Council. Mrs J. Maginness. who

was at the school in 1887, cut the cake at the banquet in the afternoon.

Former pupils were recalled by Mr L. R. Ellis, of Dunedin, who -was master at the school from 1907 to 1911. They included Mr A. Phillips, an engineer who died recently, and Mr E. A. Lee. S.M., now a Christchurch magistrate. This was the school’s fourth reunion to mark an anniversary. "I hope it will still be here for its hundredeth year,” said Mr Ellis.

Other former teachers present were Mrs I. Turner. Mrs E. Dingwall, Mrs G. Cree, Miss D. Bowker, and Mrs J. Morris. Mr T. R. Dawson, who becomes master of the school today, was welcomed. Several speakers referred to the need for a new school. The school committee had negotiated for a new school as far back as 1920, said Mr F. P. Ryan. Past pupils were photographed in decade groups A ball was held in the evening.