BENHAR SCHOOL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 22, 19 September 1911, Page 5

BENHAR SCHOOL.

FORMAL OPENING,

Friday was a red-letter day in the history of the township of Benhar, for on that day the new school was opened. The weather was warm and bright I and nearly all the residents, together with a contingent from Stirling, turned out to celebrate the epoch in, the progressive march of the pipe village. , The fair population availed themselves of the opportunity offered by the sunny weather to bedeck themselves in summer apparel, and put winter and his sombre garb on the shelf. At 2.30 the Hall, which up to the present had also been used as the school, was filled, and nearly -10 bright, healthy looking, boys and girls marched up to the platform to give the fust part of the day's celebrations. Profeedings opened with a chorus by the 'pupils, "Ye banks and braes," followed by Katie McKinlay singing "Sweet and Low,"—an excellent intorpretatioii. Master E Barnett recited "Killed at the Ford," and Nettie McNeil sang "Why don't they play with me?" which was followed with Janet Hislop and Rosie McNeil singing a duet; "Won't you buy my pretty flowers?" The children's programme was concluded by James McNeil singing "The blacksmith." The children acquitted themselves splendidly, displaying good vocal powers, intelligence and careful : training in deportment, Miss Bremncr , (the relieving teacher) played the accompaniments. I Mr P. McKinlay, member of the Education Board, apologised for the absence of the other two southern members of the Board (Messrs Smith and j Fleming). He also expressed regret that the Board's architect (Mr Rogers) , and the secretary (Mr Park) were un- | able to be present. He then called on the speakers. j The Rev. Mr Brown said he was not going to take up their time wth n jlong speech, but he was pleased to be i able to congratulate Benhar on the .successful position they had reached in connection with their school. It said a great deal for their enterprise when as , soon as they had a hall built they set about getting a school of their own, and now they had both a hall and a school. He sympathised with the teacher in the conditions under which she had to carry out her work in the past, and it said a great deal for her that success was attained under such conditions. They had a member of the Board in their midst, and Benhar should have everything that the Board could give, and he hoped the time was | not far distant when they would bu asking for additions to 'the school.— (Applause)' Mr I). Boyd, member for the riding in Bruce County Council, said he was associated with the Stirling school committee when it raised an objection to a "side school" being started at Benhar ;it was not a creditable action, and did not get favour from hinw It had been shown that Benhar was justified in asking for a school, and he hoped that its pupils would make the name of Benhar famous for all time.—(Applause). He would not wonder if the day would come when Benhar would be asking for a High School—(Applause and Laughter). i Mr P. Mi-Skimming said he was interested in the school because he was the "grandfather." Some of the pupils attending it were his grandchildren, and they all called him "grandfather" without any hesitation when they saw him on the road. He expressed' his , pleasure at having a suitable school j in Benhar, and referred to the inconvenience which the children had to put up with when they had to walk to Stirling, Mr W. Harvey, secretary of the. school committee.'said the first agitation for a school was about three years ■ ago. They got some of the members of j the Education Board down to Benhar , and the ladies waylaid them, with the I result that when the deputation got them they were considerably softened towards the request [or the school, j which they admitted was required, but they did not know if the Board could j afford it. The deputation then buttonholed them for a teacher, agreeing , to supply the building themselves. The Board could not get away from this, and they got a teacher and had their school in the hall. Mr McKinlay was 'elected to the Education Board, and [he was told not to come back without a school, and six months ago the conI tract was let for the building. At first there were "21 pupils on the roll ; i now there were 3d, " So we're not do- , ing so bad." There had been .two wori king bees in tidying up the ground [and putting in fences, etc. He eoni eluded by saying he was exceedingly | sorry that the late teacher was not present that day.—(Applause). I 'Mr McKinlay said they were fortunate in getting a good relieving teacher like i Miss Bremner. There was a possibility that a man would be appointed as teacher at Benhar, as the task would been too strenuous for a lady teacher's health. A move was then made to the new school building, close to the pipe works. The flag was unfurled by Mr Anderson, and as it fluttered gaily in the breeze the children sang "The Red, White and Blue." Mr McKinlay then briefly declared , the school open, making eloquent reference to the _ old flag, and how the Empire was built up by Truth, and Honour and Righteousness. He hoped , the pupils would advance step by step to a glorious future, and that the Bern; hni' school might one day blossom forth into a high school.—(Applause). ''God save the King," was then sung by nil, after which an adjournment was again made to the hall, where afternoon tea was partaken of. Mr Robertson, inspector, who appeared at this stage, having come over from the Stjrling school, briefly spoke, wishing the school all prosperity, and hoped it would be the means of extending the good work in the country done by the Otago Education Board. : The day's celebrations concluded [with a number of races for the children, and a football match by the men. | The school is a wooden structure, built on solid concrete foundations. The classroom is 26ft' by 'lßft. and the ' height about 14ft. There are a numb'er of ventilators oiv the walls and roof, and it is well lighted by four windows facing the west. The porch and cloak room is 1-Sft by 6ft 4)in, and there is also a shelter shed, while the children have a spacious playground.