NORTH TAIERI SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 20582, 6 September 1930, Page 3

NORTH TAIERI SCHOOL

■■ AFTER SEVENTY-TWO YEARS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Tbo seventy-second anniversary celebrations of the North Taieri School were commenced yesterday. There was a largo number present for the celebrations. the oldest ex-pupil there being Mr William Smellic, who attended the school on its inauguration in 1858. Tho earliest provincial school in the district was that of East Taieri, which was also intended to cater tor the children of North Taieri, though (he distance and the lack of roads and bridges prevented their attendance The population of the district gradually increased, and in 1858, after much agitation, a school was erect-*! at Moeraki Bush. This, however, was still insufficient to fulfil tho needs of the North Taieri settlers, and two years later a deputation, consisting of Messrs I). Oughton, John Shaw, and Andrew Todd, Availed on tho Education Board to such good advantage that on August .1, 1860, North Taieri Ayas proclaimed a separate educational district. Air Findlay was appointed first teacher of the North Taieri School, at the salary of £IOO per annum. By the ordinance of 1856 teachers Averc authorised to levy fees, which Avere usually added to tlieir salaries. Mr Findlay’s fees ranged from 10a for the first child in a family, decreasing by 2s 6d for each succeeding child until the fourth. Any further were exempt. The church AA’as used as the school, and the first report to the Education Board showed that the attendance was twenty-seven, comprising sixteen boys and eleven girls. The report urged that a building should be erected for the accommodation of the scholars, and pointed out that land could be obtained in a central position at a reasonable price. As a result there appeared in the Appropriation Ordinance of 1860-61 a grant* of £425—£400 for school buildings, teacher’s house, and necessary equipment,'and £25 “in aid of education.” The site of three acres, whicli is at present used, was purchased from Mr Donald Reid for a small sum. It was a considerable time yet, howeA’er, before a school Avas erected. At the ond of 1861 Mr Findlay resigned to open the first store in the district, and, his position was taken OA*er by Mr George,Blyth Anderson. Avho was born in Jamaica in 1836. Ho arrived at Auckland in 1858 by the ship' Evening Star, and took an active part in the Maori War in Taranaki, for which he receiA’ed the New Zealand medal. Mr Anderson began his teaching in the combined church and school, and shortly after, his arrival opened a night school which was very much appreciated by the settlers. In 1864 a combined school and residence Avas built, and is in use to : day. . , In ■ tho new school Mr Anderson Avorked for seven years under great difficulties. Pupils came from as far aAvay as Taioma, Avhich was then known as Mullocky Gully, and owing to the absence of good roads they attended school on only three days in tho week. Despite these obstacles, however, thy attendance rose in 1871 to seventyeight, thus warranting the appointment of a mistress. Mrs Price received the position, and assisted Mr Anderson very ably to maintain a high standard of work. She Avas succeeded at- the ond of 1872 by Miss Agnes Short, and three years later a further increase in the number of pupils necessitated the appointment of a pupil teacher, Miss Bethia Bringans being appointed. Miss Short left the school in 1876, Avhen Miss Christina Winder took over her duties. In the same year the building Avas enlarged. and a separate teachers’ residence of seven rooms Avas erected at a cost of £350. . About that time it Avas iclfc that there was a necessity for a colonial system of education, tho disparities in tho A-arious provincial systems being obvious, and on November 29, 18/7, Avlien Sir George Grey was Premier, the Education Act came into force. In 1878 tho system of “ free, secular, and compulsory education ” was introduced. School fees Avere abolished, the powers of school committees curtailed, and a rigid syllabus Avas enforced by inspectors’ annual examinations. In 1886 the old school which had carried out its function for twenty-two vears Avas condemned, and a new building of three rooms was erected at a cost of £533 ss. The old school then housed an athemeilm, which became very popular. Ono ex-pupil, Archibald Wool la tt, fell iai the Boer War. In the vear 1904 manual exercises were introduced, with the idea that the children should become more proficient with their- hands. Nature study was also taught. . .. , Mr Anderson, then the oldest teacher in the service of the Otago Education Board, resigned on March 31. 1908, after fortv-six years spent in the North Taieri School. By that time, owing, to the establishment of other schools in tho district, the attendance at tho school had decreased, allowing for only ono teacher. This position was assumed on Air Anderson’s resignation by Miss M. S. Pretsch. avlio remained until April, 1928. The Great War brought forth a noblo response from ox-pupils, leu of .whom paid the supremo sacrifice. Tho pupils also did good Avork in providing money and comforts for the soldiers. • , , The school was totally destroyed by fire in NoA’cmber. 1919, and strenuous efforts Avere .made by tho committee to have a ucav building erected, but the Education Board preferred to bouse the scholars in tho Athemeum, Avhich had formerly been the school. Miss Imrie acted as relieving teacher lor a few months after Miss Pretsch’s retirement, and then Mr A. A. Harrison, the present teacher, Avas appointed, and under his direction tho school has since continued to progress. OPENING FUNCTION. ’The president of the ex-Pupils’ Association (Mr Charles Findlay), in officially opening the celebrations, said that it gave him very much pleasure to see such an excellent response to tho invitations which had been sent out. The distance Avhich many had travelled in order to bo present gave evidence of a great affection lor the old school, and ho trusted that everyone Avould have a thoroughly enjoyable time. The sneaker apologised for the absence of the chairman of the Taieri County Council (Mr A. Kempshell), and as tho member on the council 'for the North Taieri riding he extended a welcome to the ex-pupils and teachers on behalf.of tho district. ROLL OF HONOUR UNVEILED. The unveiling of the roll of honour, upon which were inscribed the names of ex-pupils of the school avlio had served and fallen in the Boer and Great "Wars, was carried out by Mr David Smaillie, and Mr John Williamson read out tho names. At the conclusion of this ceremony a lament was played by Pipe-major Stavert. The major portion of the afternoon was occupied by photographing, the ex-punils and teachers being taken in accordance with the various decades of their attendance at tho school. During an interval, in Avhich afternoon tea was served, the seventy-two candles on a birthday cake were lighted, and the cutting ceremony was carried out by the oldest lady ex-pupil .present, Miss Eliza Whyte, who attended the school as long ago as 1862. Tho president of. tho ex-Pupils’ Association (Mr Charles

Findlay) presented Miss Why to with tho knife she used, as a memento of tlio occasion. After a suitable reply the recipient was accorded musical honours. Tho gathering broke up at about half-past 5. SOCIAL AND DANCE, in the evening the school hall was tho scene of a gay throng. Old and young assembled in largo numbers, and spent a very enjoyable time. Mr C. Findlay and Mr John-Williamson, controlled the evening’s entertainment. They staged—with tho assistance of Mrs D. T. Shand —a very excellent programme, and arranged both.old-timo and modern dances. There was no speech-making, but an excellent concert, an enjoyable dance, and a tasty, supper. North. Taicri is noted for tho homeliness of its socials; hut last night’s function about eclipsed anything previously held. Old scholars renoweu acquaintances, and old men and women danced with partners ot bygone school days amongst tho younger generation of to-day. Others were glad to sit and chat of years long since gone hy. Tho closing time came all too soon, hut there was tho consolation —the picnic on the morrow, which would provide even great opportunity of' renewing tho days of their youth. M iss Harrison, Messrs Harrisoji (2), and Meiklojohn supplied the music for the dancing, and tho follow ing ladies and gentlemen favoured with vocal, instrumental, and elocutionary items: —Mesdames C. Penman, J. A. Fowler, J, Williamson, 11. Wedder spoon, Misses Miller. Matheson, B. Findlay, Messrs W, Currie, R. Algio, S. Smellie, Harrison, and Smellie’s orchestra. Mr Harrison and Miss C. Smellie played the accompaniments. Sapper was served at an interval.