STIRLING SCHOOL JUBILEE

Evening Star, Issue 21317, 23 January 1933, Page 12

STIRLING SCHOOL JUBILEE

75TH ANNIVERSARY EARLY EDUCATION RECALLED The seventy-fifth anniversary of the opening of the Stirling School is at present being celebrated, and on Saturday afternoon the first functions were held. The weather conditions were made unpleasant by an intermittent thick drizzling rain, but as ample accommodation had been arranged in a marquee erected on the school grounds this did not affect the number of the gathering to any great extent. The scene was an animated and cheerful one, between three ami four hundred people having congregated in a holiday humour well suited to the occasion. The president of the executive committee, Mr A, Anderson, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors on behalf of the local people, and after the reading of complimentary messages, including letters from China and India,- he called upon Mr Parker APKinlay, as representative of the Otago Education Board, to give an address.

Mr M'Kinlay expressed his great pleasure in being present, as he himself was an ex-pupil of the school, having been a pupil teacher there at one time. He thought that such celebrations were of more than merely local interest, as they were the means of concreting much ■ scattered information concerning the early history of the country which might otherwise be lost. He convoyed the board’s congratulations and best wishes.

The subsequent speeches were exclusively of an historical and reminiscent nature. Mr Joseph Smith, an old settler, dealt with the genesis of the school, comeneing with “ the beginning of all things ” and carrying his narration to the “ flood.” Mr Robert Smaill, the oldest surviving pupil present, received a hearty welcome on rising to speak. He first requested that the gathering stand in silence in memory of those who had died. After this had boon done he spoke of Mr Alexander Grigor, the first blaster,' to whose high ability and sterling moral character ho paid a glowing tribute. He recalled the monument which was subsequently erected by subscription in the Balclutha cemetery to Air Grigor and quoted the inspiring epitaph, “ He being dead yet speakoth.”

Air P. APiSkimming, ALP., gave a very happy speech of personal reminiscence, concluding with a sincere appreciation of the moral training which had been given in the early days of the school.

Air C. R. Smith, the oldest teacher present, gave many interesting details of the school's progress.

The formal welcome concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. Afternoon tea was, provided, after which the remainder of the afternoon was devoted to the taking of clan photographs and general conversation. In the evening a concert was held. SCHOOL HISTORY. In the course of the speeches the history of the school was narrated, and many interesting details of early education in the Otago province were given. No official history of the school has yet been compiled, but tiro' following account was taken from the abovementioned speeches. The lack of educational facilities was soon felt by the first pioneers to this country, and after the immediate difficulties had been overcome the Provincial Government drew up a plan to establish thirteen schools throughout the province. One of the sites chosen was at Ineh-CTutha, the sum of £3OO being voted for its erection. The school was opened in 1858 under Mr Alexander Grigor, who, with some other teachers, had just previously been brought to the colony by the New Zealand Land Company under a life agreement. Every morning the school opened with prayers, and Bible training and Shorter Catechism figured tm the syllabus. In the school reports of 1861-2 there arc to be 'found the inspector’s appreciation of the thoroughness of this tuition. At first there were only twelve pupils, and the master’s salary was £125 per annum, £SO being supplied by the Government and the remaining £75 was found in fees and subscriptions. The fees ranged from 8s and 12s to 16s per quarter according to the number of subjects taken. In 1870 a now school was erected close to the old one. Three years later Mr Grigor was transferred to Balclutha, and he was succeeded by Mr James M’Neur. In 1878 the disastrous flood swept away the new building, and a new one was erected, this time on the Stirling Hill. In 1885 Mr C. R. Smith commenced his term, which lasted over fifteen years. Ho was relieved in 1900 by Mr H. C. Jones, who was assisted by a head mistress and two pupil teachers. The mistress was Miss M. i’regonning, who had taken the position in 1887; she remained throughout Mr-Jones’s term, which concluded .in 1913, and carried on for several years. Her terin of thirty-three years is the longest in the school’s history. In 1913 Mr L. Ellisson took charge, being succeeded by Mr Slater, present master, in 1929. MEMORIAL SERVICE. Yesterday was favoured by more congenial weather, and the memorial services drew large attendances. The expupils assembled at the school in clans, and marched to the Soldiers’ Memorial, where two children laid wreaths on the .monument. The ‘ Last Post ’ was sounded, and then the inarch was continued to the Presbyterian Church, where a special service was conducted by the Rev. Fairlie Evans, who was assisted by Messrs P. M'Skimming and C. R. Smith. The text was “There is no continuing city,’’ the speaker taking the transitory nature of life as his main theme.