60th Anniversary Of Opening Of The Dobson School

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 August 1947, Page 6

60th Anniversary Of Opening Of The Dobson School

Tomorrow is the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Dobson School as it was on August 15, 1887, that the original building, since replaced by a more modern building, first opened its doors, to enrol 109 pupils. Few of the first day scholars remain in the district, but among them are Mrs Buckman (Carrie Masters), Mrs Julian (Agnes Glen), Messrs Matthew Bennie and William Carse. A number of children who received their education at Dobson in the early days of the school made good in after years. The late Mr E. E. O’Flynn, M.L.C., Mr T. O. Bishop, M.L.C. and Mr M. Connell M.L.C. were all pupils in the early days. Mr L. F. De Berry, M.A., t a well known educationist and Mr J. Tennent, of Greymouth, were also among the pupils. Early teachers were Mrs J. White (who acted as head until Mr E. A. Scott took up his duties), Miss Haisty, Miss J.. Robinson, Miss J. Sothern, Miss Coulthard, Miss Sweetman and Miss Dixon. Mr F. E. O’Flynn was a scholar on the opening day. Later he became a pupil teacher and headmaster in 1896, when Mr Scott transferred to TayPorville. Maritime Strike Recalled

Old pupils will recollect that in the early days the only playground was among the stumps and the strip of road in front of the school. Anything in the line of picnics was rare in those days and it was a gala day when the first excursion was held, in 1896. With flags 'flying the- scholars marched to the station en route to Hokitika. This excursion became an annual event, and the Dobson School Committee was the originator. The secretary was Mr J. Irvine. An old pupil who today discussed the early days with the Evening Star recalled the maritime strike of 1890 and the fact that it spread to the school, to the extent that any boy associating with the mine manager’s son had to fight one of the sons of a miner. Effigies were also burnt to express the boys’ feelings. Supplejack Canes

He also recalled a sight not now seen in the school—a bundle of supplejack canes drying in the fireplace, to be used as a corrective for boys “playing the wag,” teasing Chinese hawkers or riding the goats in the township. No official functions have been arranged to celebrate the anniversary, but greetings have been exchanged among the original pupils still residing in the district.