RANGIORA DISTRICT SCHOOLS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 64, 14 August 1874, Page 4

RANGIORA DISTRICT SCHOOLS.

Yesterday the opening of the new district school buildings, and the distribution of prizes to the meritorious scholars attending the boys' and girls' schools carried on under the Board of Education, appeared to form quite an epoch in the history of the township. For some time past the opening celebration has been the theme for conversation, and anxiously looked forward to ; therefore, it was with no slight degree of pleasure that the local school committee and others interested witnessed such beautiful weather as that of Thursday for the proceedings. The affair passed off so well as 1o afford every reason for congratulation. The distribution of prizes was followed by a soiree, and the latter by a public meeting, at which the speeches of several influential gentlemen, including one or two members of the Board of Education and Provincial Government were interspersed with selections of music, and thus provided for the large number of persons present a pleasant entertainment. A deputation of the school committee met Mr C. C. Boweu, Chairman of the Board of Education, and Mr T. W. Maude, (Secretary for Public Works, at the Bangiora railway station at 1.5 p.m. These gentlemen then proceeded to the schools. Passing up the main road of the township, the visitors could not help being struck with the signs of prosperity and progress which have lately been shewn iu the number of new business places erected, and improvements in the roadways. A number of flags, as on gala drys, were hung out to the breeze, and seemed to convey the impression that the inhabitants considered this an important occasion. Arrived at the building, the first thing was, of course, a tour of inspection. The schools wore succinctly described in the Preti.s of July 15th, aud to that it need only be added that they have been well painted, a bell hung, and the furniture of seats, desks, and so forth put into it. The grounds have been securely fenced, and a belt of evergreen and English trees planted, which adds to the appearance of the place. It is also proposed to erect a mistress's cottage near to the gill's school, rad preparations art being made for it. Having examined the premises, the paity adjourned to luncheon, laid in the girls' class-room, at which were present several of the influential persons of the district. This having been got over, the distribution of prizes took place in the girls' schoolroom. The children were assembled in the centre under thu master. Mr G. G. Chapman, and mistress, Miss Kiddell, and around wcro about one hundred of their parents and friends. The chairman of the committee, Mr A. H. Cunningham, stepping towards the table on which the prize books were displayed, requested the Kev Cauon Dudley to open the proceedings with prayer. That gentleman complied, by offering a fervent blessing upon the school and the labours of its teachers.

Mr Bowen by invitation then said he had been asked by the committee to distribute the prizes, and felt very happy to do so as well as be present at the opening of the school. It was a great gratification to him to see similar institutions going up in all parts of- the province, and the Board of Education, were very pleased at the energy

shown by the committee in this district. Persons who held strong opposite opinions in regard to other matters, it was gratifying to see, were on the question of erecting these institutions agreed. The committee had made every provision for teaching as well as not overlooked the arrangements for play and health of the children. He hoped that the children would take advantage of them, and now he would be happy to give them the prizes. [Cheers.] The names were not yet inserted in the books, but proper labels would be sent up, and names could be put in by applying to the chairman. [Hear.] He then proceeded to hand the prizes to the successful scholars according to the following list. BOYS. Class I. —James Pearcc, general proficiency and mapping, I ; Edwin G-. Wilson, history, grammar, &c, 2; Eugene P. Bean, reading, &c, 3. Second Division, Class I.—Henry J. M'lntosh, general proficiency and mapping, 1 ; Wm. J. Bourke, history,, geography, &c. 2; Horace Shrimpton, reading, spelling, and grammar ; David E. Ivory, general improvement ; Edmund It. A. Haworth, mapping, writing, &c ; H. A. Stephens, reading, writing, &c. Writing Prizes—James Pearce, 1 : H. J. M'lntosh, 2. Drill, Gymnastic, and Club Exercises —Hon mention, lidward Hunnibell, 1 ; H. J. M'lntosh, 2. Fred. J. Hunnibell held first place in second division of first class, but had not attended school long enough to take a prize. Class ll.—Duncan M'Kenzie, arithmetic, geography, and writing, 1 : Wm Wilson, general improvement, 2 ; Harry Hessell, reading, spelling, and tables ; William Blackett, writing and arithmetic ; Leslie Fred. Fuller, reading and grammar; William Bean, general improvement. Class lll.—Arthur Truman, 1; Samuel J. D. Good, 2 ; Arthur Hills, 3. Class IV.—William de Moulin, 1 ; Charles Blake, 2. Class V.—James Watson, 1; Charles Frost, 2 ; William Wakely, 3. GIRLS. Class I.—E. Heath, English history and needlework, 1 ; M. Bartrum, writing, grammar, and arithmetic, 2 ; F. Stephens, geography, reading, and spelling ; M. Ponsonby, 4. Class ll—Alice Bartrum, arithmetic and writing, 1 ; M. A. Pearce, grammar and reading, 2 ; Daisy Shrimpton, history and geography, 3 ; E. Wilson, 4. Class lll.—Emma DeMoulin, arithmetic, 1 ; Jessie Johnston, writing, 2 ; Emily Carter, reading, 3. Class 14. —Flora McKenzie, reading, 1 ; Flora Purvis, arithmetic, 2 ; Amy Stephens, writing, 3. Class V.—Lucy Rickman, reading, 1 ; Elizabeth Miles, writing, 2. Jessie McKenzie, absent, was also recommended for a prize by the Government Inspector, Mr J. P. Restell. Three cheers were then given for Mr Bowen, the school committee, and the teachers.

After the examination the soiree was held, in the boys' division of the new school. About 500 persons, it was computed, sat down to tea. The trays were provided and presided at by Mesdames Cunningham, Chapman, Pearce, Blackett, Nevin, Burrows, Dudley, Bramley, J. Bell, Aherne ; and Misses Good (2), Josling (2), Luxton, and Deal. There was also a bachelor's table presided over by Miss L. Luxton and Miss Wycherley. The spread was a very beautiful one, and everyone seemed to consider this part of the proceedings very enjoyable. The public meeting was held in the larger room of the school and it was densly packed, holding about 600 persons. A raised platform had been put up for the Musical Society who contributed vocal selections, as well as for the speakers and other gentlemen. The Chairman said, in the first place he had to apologise for the position he was in, as he expected his voice would not be powerful enough to be heard through the room, and hoped for himself and other speakers that utmost silence would be kept. He had little to say, as so many other gentlemen were present, and his Honor the Superintendent would also have boon present' but was at present in Wellington. He should not weary the meeting with a report, but would only say they might congratulate themselves on the auspicious event which they had met to celebrate that evening, viz , a thing which, two years ago would not have been thought of. The schools had hitherto gained in reputation, but the past was as nothing to what they expected in the future. With reference to the pecuniary matters, the land was purchased from Mr Sansom for £3o°, the contract for the schools cost £1235 ; master's house, £4lO ; furniture, £BO ; and contingent expenses about £100; therefore the outlay was £2134, and there was to be a cottage erected for the mistress. Had Rangiora been declared a borough, as it must soon be, they might have dipped deeper into the chest and obtained a larger grant for the school. He then went on to make several pertinent remarks on the subject of education, concluding by hoping that the teaching in that school would tend to place the children of that township in a prominent position. He did not see why they should not produce a Dr Livingstone or a Mary Somerville among them. He called upon Mr Montgomery next to address the meeting.

Piano duet—March from " Le Prophete"— Mr Burrows and Miss Dudley. Glee—" The Happiest Land" —Messrs Merton, G. Merton, Johnston, and Hunnibell. Glee—" Blow thou winter wind"—by the full company.

Mr W Montgomery was t- ceived with cheers, and said he had seen in the papers that he would give an address, but he had not time to prepare it, and was not certain lie could attend, and the people would perhaps not regret it, as Mr Maude was to follow him. The committee, who had given great energy and patience to the work, were to be congratulated on the success of the school buildings, and which was highly appreciated by the Board of Education. He understood 200 attended the schools, and that now the room was increased there would be accommodation for more to attend. It was gratifying to notice from the Chief Inspector's report -a gentleman who was indefatigable, honest, and painstaking in carrying out his duties [cheers] —which he read to them, that it stated the school was such that it had produced the best specimen of mapping and writing done in Canterbury. [Cheers.] In other branches the school had been equally succi ssful. They were aware the Provincial Council had made liberal provision for furthering the cause of education, and it would he the aim of the Board to place properly qualified teachers to districts

where twenty-five children could be got together, carry out a good system of inspection, and increasing the masters' salaries to remunerate these worthy gentlemen. In reference to school committees, he advised that they should take up their work well, and do it thoroughly. This was only a beginning, but he hoped that what they had done and intended doing in the cause of education would maintain Canterbury as one of the foremost provinces in New Zealand. [Cheers ] Song—" The Soldier's Dream," Mr C; Morton ; part song, " Bird of the Wilderness." •

Mr T. W. Maude, who was received with cheers, observed that they were witnesses of the great progress which education was making, to be able to assemble in so handsome a building, on the possession of which he congratulated the district and the committee. The prospects of the district were never brighter than at present. This prosperity, however, had not been obtained without difficulty. He referred to the proceedings since the question of bringing the district under the Ordinance was first brought up. They were now covering the country with primary schools, and higher class schools in the towns, and a college in prospeetu in Christchurch, which was a kind of Noah's ark, which its navigators could not tell where they were to land (laughter), but they appeared to be" neglecting female education. What was wanting was a means of educating girls of thirteen and upwards, and also scholarships for females (cheers). The Avonside committee had already made a move in this direction, and the Board of Education or the Provincial Government, he thought, would not be slow to recognise this, if it was brought before them. In Otago they had taken the question up, and one school was reported to be doing good educational work. Provision was made in Canterbury for educating girls to 13, and at that age, if inducement offered, they would aspire to other studies; and he need hardly say that domestic cookery, for instance, would be very useful. [Cheers.] There were many branches of domestic economy in which they might educate women. Now that they were addressing themselves so much to promote education, this was a question which th y would take up and heartily support. The speaker then read an extract from the Spectator of 1711, written by Addison, referring to the fair sex, and after comparing a woman to different animals wound up by comparing her to a bee, the acquisition of Buch a woman as a wife bringing a man unspeakable happiness, her family flourishing and improving by good management. She loved her husband and was beloved by him ; she brought to him a race of beautifal and virtuous children, and distinguished herself among her sex. [Cheers.] Duet—Overture to " Zampa," Mrs Burrows and Mrs Caffry ; glee—" Ye Shepherds tell me." Eev W. M'Gregor, Presbyterian minister, complimented the people of Rangiora on the success of their efforts in getting up such a fine building, and the proceedings of the day, which he supposed would live in the memory of the present generation. He had been asked to speak upon the cultivation of the domestic affections, but as this was too wide a question, he would simply refer to the mainspring of these affections, viz, love for one's fellow man. He then gave some excellent advice to the young, but appeared to be somewhat imperfectly heard at the end of the hall.

Glee—"ln the lonely Vale of Streams," the company. Mr J. P. Restell, who was next called upon, was received with applause. He was afraid if he said all that he felt he would like to say he would have to detain them a long time. [Hear.] He came, not expecting to speak, but he had been requested to propose a resolution. He then proceeded to give a retrospect of Rangiora when he first saw it. He came part of the way by a rocking chair vehicle, and travelled on foot the rest. There was only one house, a miniature building used as a school, and the teacher was a good old lady whom he hoped was still living. The progress of the present system he next referred to, and was glad to see that the overruling of education was no longer confined to the management of the parson of the parish. The present system was able, not only to put up schools in many places, but to provide good masters. In reference to this school, he was glad to see that the master was a good architect, for he had seldom seen a design which had pleased him so much as this. [Cheers.] As an evidence of progress, he the other day, brought his horse up by the train, went on to Oxford, examined the school, and was able to return here for this meeting. He hoped that the education would make like progress. In reference to the recent examination of the school, he was glad to see the chairman present, and the clergyman and his lady, who must have been gratified with the knowledge which the children possessed of Scripture history. The school was to be congratulated ou the maps and writing done by the boys, which were so good that he had taken some of them to Christchurch. The committee were fortunate in securing the services of the present mistress, and if a full attendance was kept up, they would be able to retain her services. He would not detain them longer than to express his pride and pleasure at being present, and would conclude by proposing " That a vote of thanks be passed to the donors and contributors to the prizes." Mr H. Blackett proposed a vote of thanks to the visitors. He was glad to see a great many present to assist in the cause of education, which meant progression.

Mr E. R. Good in a pithy speech said all would cordially agree with his resolution, that a vote of thanks be accorded to the ladies who provided the tea. [Cheers ] Musical company—" Here's a health to all good lasses," Messrs Merton, G. Merton, Johnston, and Hunnibell. Rev Canon Dudley said he had received a telegram from the deputy Superintendent, stating that he could not attend, Although at first opposed to the introduction of the Ordinance, he had lived to see the schools opened, and now rejoiced that they had been opened that day by God's blessing. He had great pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Merton and the musical ladies and gentlemen who had assisted them on many occasions. Mr Merton replied.

Mr Maude apologised for the absence of Mr Joynt, as he had to attend a business meeting in the city. Song—" Never mind the rest," Mr Merton.

The proceedings terminated by singing the National Anthem, aud a dance afterwards took place,