TE MARUA SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 126, 31 May 1939, Page 51

TE MARUA SCHOOL

DIAMOND JUBILEE

On Saturday, the Te Marua School, near Upper Hutt, will celebrate its diamond jubilee, the original school having been opened on June 3, 1879. At that time it was known as the Maungaroa School, the name being changed to Te Marua on April 7, 1913, on account of confusion with Mangaroa Valley. The first school was held in what is now the head teacher's residence. On July 19, 1882, a one-roomed school was opened and on August 27, 1912, a second room was added. The first teacher was Mrs. E. H. Evans, who remained in charge until March 31, 1911, a period of almost 32 years, probably a record for New Zealand. Since then the following have been in charge:—Miss A. L. Banks (now Mrs. Brown), Miss E. A. Wallace (February to August, 1920), Mr. A. E. Barrowclough (1920-21), Miss M. E. Oswin (1921-25), Mrs. L. E. Smeaton (1926-27), Mrs. A. Wheatley (1927-37), and Mr. W. A. Macnab (1937-39). In 1912 the first assistant teacher was appointed. Of the above Mrs. Evans and Mr. Barrowclough are now deceased. The following have notified their intention of being present next Saturday: Mrs. Brown, Mrs.' Wheatley, and Mr. Macnab. together with Miss Pilling (now Mrs. Benge) and Miss Kershaw (assistant teachers). An apology has also been received from Miss Oswin. On the opening day 19 pupils were enrolled, the first to be entered being Mr. J. T. Benge, of Upper Hutt. The following Monday 10 more pupils were enrolled, while at the end of the year the roll number was 49. Of the 19 foundation pupils, 12 are still alive. The following six will be present:— Messrs. J. T. Benge, James Johnson, and Arthur Evans, and Mesdames Mabey (nee Elizabeth Benge), C. C. Jackson (nee Mabel Evans), and S. Poulsen (nee Sarah Johnson). Of the second-day pupils Messrs. John Lawry. John McDonald, and Ernest Pink will also be there. Of the 886 pupils enrolled in the school over half were traced, and on Saturday next over 200 past and present pupils will assemble at the school, many coming from as far north as Auckland. A notable feature on the compiling of the rolls was that only three ex-pupils were located in the South Island.