THE FIRST SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1928, Page 4

THE FIRST SCHOOL

I'lm first school, established in 1868, ■ was of one room, with the master’s Residence adjoining, the ground fenced jwith split palings. Mr Robert Ray was :the master, and some of the pupils iwere : —Fanny Smith, Ann Jand Dinan, Noakes. Ellen Boase, George (Stone, Annie Firth. Joseph P. Firth, ■William Ray, Minnie Ray, and Jdhn iTaylor; Emma and Louisa Rose. IMr and Airs Ray subsequently jleft Cobden for Karamea, where they isettled. Of a family of ten. eight repnain. Airs McNabb, sen., of Tainui (Street, is a daughter, and her sister jßertha resides at Christchurch. Airs ;Ray died a few months ago. The greatigrandchild of the late Air Ray, a son 10l Air and Airs Kirkwood, of Bright iStreet, Cobden, is a pupil of Cobden /School to-dav.

Hie first little school was not witli- : out its share of scholars who were to > achieve distinction. Joseph Firth wap i the winner of the first scholarship, at thirteen years of age, which entitled . him to'three years’ tuition at Nelson College. There he gained a further scholarship, giving him a further term of free education. Having won his ‘ spurs, he progressed in his studies, ’ being appointed a teacher at Nelson ’College, later receiving an appointment 'as principal of Wellington College, a 'position lie held'with distinction for ’ many years. Mr Firth retired a few years ago, and was succeeded by Air ’Cresswell. Although released from his responsibilities, Air Firth takes an active interest in matters affecting the welfare of the community. He resides 'with bis wife at Wellington. The King conferred on him the Order of Companion of St. Michael and St. George for services rendered to the Empire. His parents, the late Air and Airs Aaron Firth, were amongst the earliest settlers. Air Firth was a mason by trade, ami built the stone wall separating the railway from the Grey-Omoto ! road (since removed), as w’ell as being engaged on harbour work. George Alilfar was another pupil who also made good. To-day he is engineer of the State Alines, and resides at Kunanga. Air Charles Bruford was the teacher during the period between Air Rae’s retirement and Air James Alalcolm s appointment. Air Bruford married the assistant teacher (Miss Hetty Thompson). Air Fred Bruford, carpenter, formerly of Cobden, was a son. The’school had now grown into one of two rooms. Air James Alalcolrn was beadmaster, Aliss Nellie Brown headmistress, ami Aliss Amy Thompson a.s sislant. Some of the pupils were:--

James Foster, Bella Batty, James Gunn, Herbert (Wisdom, Alonzo Wisdom, Wm. Dickie, Arthur Dickie, Agnes AlcLean.’ Edward Jackson. Florrie Wisdom, Annie AValsh, Alary Jackson. Bridget Dinan, Jane Jackson, Emily and Arthur Stone. Annie Barton. Sarah AlcLean, Carrie Rose, Peter, Hany. John and Ada Thompson, Jessie and Alargaret Wisdom, Lily Dickie. Alary Rose. James and Margaret Bourke; Joseph Rose. Arthur Stone was a pupil, who “rose 'on stepping stones to higher things.” Beginning as a cadet in the Public Works at Greymouth he was transferred to Wellington. He was later engaged in the Marine Department, and finally became chief clerk of the Agricultural Department ; ’recently he retired after 40 years’ service on superannuation. His father was in business as blacksmith on a site where B. Dixon (stationer) is now situated in Tainui Street, Greymouth. Mr Charted Hicks was Air Alalcolm’s successor. Of the old band of teachers

he is the sole survivor, and with Airs Hicks resides in Christchurch. It is hoped by many of his old scholars that he will be present at the Jubilee, lie was a man of rare calibre, and took pains to get results. Two pupils, James Gunn and Elizabeth Noble, gained scholarships under his tuition. Both the successful scholarship candidates enjoyed free secondary education at the Greymouth District High {school, subsequently passing Civil Service examinations, entitling them to Government positions. The former entered the Government Life Insurance I )epa rtment, Wei 1 i ngton, a fte rwa rds resigning to study and become a, minister of the Presbyterian Church. The latter followed the teaching profession, with credit to -herself and the cause of education. The master was a man of many parts. He taught the theory of music and accompanied the singing by playing his violin. Part singing was his forte, and school concerts of those days were of a. special nature. The school was decorated with n’lkau palms, ferns and lycopodium, the desks were packed up in the school ground, and the residents lent forms and chairs for the use of patrons. The school children gathed and returned them to their owners. The piano was hired from Greymouth. In. his spare time Air Hicks taught a number of pupils wood-carving, basketmaking, etc. Quite a number of useful articles were made and an exhibition was held, which Air W. Dae, of Greymouth, supplemented with a variety of electrical appliances, the working ' of which he carefully explained.