RANGIWAHIA.

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2005, 18 February 1913, Page 2

RANGIWAHIA.

A TRIP, A RECEPTION, AND A , DAY'S ENJOYMENT.

A school picnic-in the country is vastly different to a similar function in town. The latter is usually a treat where the children are provided with enjoyment by the committee and the teachers, and savours- generally as a place where the adults steer clear from trusting to their offspring being cared for by those who the average parent consider is "paid for the job." In the rural districts, however, it is a gathering of the whole j countryside, assembled to do honour to "children's day," and to assist in making the occasion a notable one in the lives of the young folk, but not at the expense of those who have a considerable amount of drudgery to perform in connection with tlie upurmging of other folks bairns, it was thus with pleasant anticipations that Mr D. id. Guthrie, M.P., one'of tne -pioneers of that portion of Feilding's hinterland, and until recently a resident there, and Mr Fred. Pirani, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, accepted the cordial invitation to participate in yesterday's enjoyable function. They covered the distance in the comfortable tune of two hours, the roads almost all the-way being in very much better condition than Feildinp;.'s streets, and were met at the township by Mr Boshier, chairman, | and other members of the School Committee and their wives, and after viewing the school gardens, were taken to the ■ Rangiwahia Hotel, where -iirs Ryan is conducting tho establishment in a manner equalled by few of her _ compeers. A ■ splendid lunch was enjoyed by tlie visitors, who included two ladies in their party, and tlie committee of ladies and gentlemen, and after complimentary reference had been made to the kindly treatment accorded them by Messrs Guthrie and Pirani, and responded to by Mr Boshier, an adjournment was made to the fine recreation ground, where some 150 adults and children had been enjoying themselves from early morning. The time passed pleasantly in games, races, and neighbourly conversation, varied with the sampling of daintily prepared refreshments, the function being strong evidence of the good feeling and -kindly fellowship existing amongst this progressive community. At 3 o'clock, tho assemblage adjourned to the hall, where the prize-giving ceremony took place. Mr Boshier presided, and the prizes weie distributed by Mr Pirani, Miss D. Pirani pinning the medals on tho breasts of the recipients. in opening the proceedings, Mr Boshier expressed the pleasure of the residents at the visit of the two nieni-■-bers of the Education Board and the interest they had taken in the school and the welfare of the children. They looked uiion Mr Guthrie as one of themselves, but in Mr Pirani they had an outsider who had taken a high place as an educationist and had always been ready to give his services to the public interest.

-Misses Siddell and Wisdom played a duet on the piano very nicely. .Mr F. Campbell, headmaster of the school, briefly explained the position taken up by the school in various competitions, the regularity of the attendance for years, frequently under the most- trying conditions', and the capital record in school work won by the pupils. Mr Campbell pointed tait that the roll in 1910 averaged 53.7 and the attendance 45.5, in 1911 51.5 and 44.97, and in 1912 50.25 and 4.3.53. Amongst the successes of the school were: Rangiwahia Show, Walter Mclntyre (geometrical drawing), I -Max Homisham (map of Australia), i Elsie Hancock 1, Grace Morgan 2, and Kathleen Little 3 (writing and brushwork) _ Jennie Wood, Nellie Bielski, and Kathleen Bielski (sewing), and the school second in school gardens. ,At Palmerston Show. Walter Mclntyre and Max Homersham (mapping), Max Homersham (literary), Laura Pcmberton (freehand drawing). Ethel Mclntyre 2. Feilding school competi, tion, Walter Mclntyre 1 (notebook). One candidate sat for proficiency and one for competency examinations, and both got through. 'He heartily thanked the committee and parents for the liberal manner in which they had always assisted him. Referring to his own work, he (.aid lie had given the best that was in him to the service of 15ie children, and looked forward with interest to-the result of his work. Mr D. 11. Guthrie referred to the many happy years spent in the distiict and the large number of enduring friendships he had formed there. \\ hen he left Feilding that morning it seemed to him as only another of the many hapn v home-comings he had been used to, and he could honestly assure them that he fully appreciated the heartiness of their welcome and tlie mutual pleasure the occasion had engendered. He referred to the interest taken by the master ol- a school in his pupils not only while they were attending school, but in their after life, and gave instances oi the truth of" this in the many com--inunications he had received from former pupils in the Dominion and even m Australia. He congratulated the district upon possessing such an efficient teacher as Mr Campbell and upon the great interest he had taken iv everything appertaining to the welfare of the rising generation. -Mr 1< red. Pirani spoke on the influence of school gardens on the school work, and on the lives of the children and the prosperity of the community, and congratulated the residents on the great. interest taken m tho school by the committee. He expressed the hope that their visit tc the school aiid surroundings would be of benefit to the children in the carrying out of necessary improvements. . ' .

the following is the prize list of the standard classes: Standard VII., Jennie Wood; Standard ' VI. Susie Loslner 1, Elsie Hancock 2, Max Ho-mersham-3: Standard IV.. Arch Nellie Bielski 2, Kathleen Little 3; Standard 111., Henry Bosl.ier 1, Willie Mclntvre 2 Walter Bryan 3; Standard 11./Len Martin 1, Hdney Hancock 2, Kathleen Bielski £. Standard 1., Jim Bielski 1, Noel baywell 2, Annie Boshier 3. Good attendance (second class): Len Martin. Angus Martin, Gracie Morgan, 1 homas Morgan. Highest marks (Headmaster's medal), Len Martin. Wntina; (prizes pi-esented by Mr and Mrs Morgan): Standard 11., Annie Hancock; Standard 111., Flora Wood: Standard IV., 'Kathleen Little. Most I>opular boy, Noel Saywell, ao-ed 10----girl. Nellie Bielski. aged 13 (prizes presented-by Mr G. H. Bennett and Mr Wisdom).

Cheers were then given for the teachers, the committee, Miss 'Tirani Messrs Guthrie and Pirani, and the ladies ot the district i'or -providing the refreshments.

After another hour spent in the grounds, tlie visitors returned to I'eilding. leaving amidst the cheers of tlie picnickers, reaching home just after 6 p.m.