NEW NATIVE SCHOOL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20208, 29 March 1940, Page 2

NEW NATIVE SCHOOL

OPEN-AIR BUILDING TIKITIKI OPENING PARADE OF SOLDIERS (Herald Correspondent.) Tuesday was an important day in the history of the settlement of Tikitiki, for it saw the realisation of the hopes of many years of effort to give the children there facilities for education more in keeping with those existing in other parts of the Dominion. It was the day chosen for the opening of the new open-air native school, and the occasion was celebrated in a fitting manner, settlers for miles around and many teachers taking the opportunity of visiting the settlement and offering their congratulations to the residents of Tikitiki on their good fortune.

Over 500 people gathered at the meeting house and from there a procession was formed, and led by a party of 50 soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Parekura Tureia, marched to the school, where the soldiers, who were the guests of the teachers and committee, and visitors were greeted in traditional Maori fashion. Speeches of welcome were made by Mr. Davis Green, the chairman of the school committee, ana Mr. Hnmana Mahuika, after which the visitors were entertained with a unique combined long, short and canoe poi, followed by action songs and hakas, the latter being dexterously performed and led by Mate Smith and Reweti Green, all of which reflected much credit on the teachers, Mrs. Putu Rangi and Mr. Davis Green. School songs were then sung by the children under the direction of Mr. A Dobson Tribute to Teachers The building was officially opened by Lieutenant Tureia, an old pupil of the school. He congratulated the residents on having such competent and conscientious teachers as Mr. and Mrs. Dobson and their staff. He considered the school grounds were one of the most attractive and best laid out that lie had seen. In declaring the school open, Lieu, tenant Tureia unveiled a tablet bearing the name Pne-o-Te-Riri, meaning “The Battle Front.’’ Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Stewart, now of Petone. were appointed as the first teachers and they opened the school in 1887, the original building being still in use. Following the usual custom, all were entertained in the TavVhiwhirangi Memorial Hall at lunch, after which an adjournment was made to the meeting house, where the elders of the tribe made speeches of advice to the soldiers, who were then entertained with parting action songs, and hakas by the Rangitukia and Tikitiki young men and women. Before their departure the Rev. P. M. Kohere conducted a service.