RUNANGA SCHOOL

Grey River Argus, 9 May 1935, Page 7

RUNANGA SCHOOL

Official Opening

BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION. The new Runangu Public School, which was recently constructed to replace that destroyed by fire some twelve months ago, was officially opened by the Alinister of Education, Hon. S. G. Smith, yesterday afternoon. There was a good attendance of pupils and parents. Amongst those present were Messrs P. C. Webb, M.P., for Buller, J. O’Brien, M.P., R. McTaggart (Alayor or IRiunanga) and MYs Mc-

Taggart, R. J. Armstrong (Chairman of the Runanga School Committee, who presided) Mrs Armstrong, R. Wild (member Canterbury Education Board) and Airs Wild, R. A. Barrowman (Chairman) and W. G. Scott (Secretary) Grey Alain School Committee, F. O’Flynn (first Headmaster Runanga School) Rev. Father McKeon Rev. A. O. Harris. The Alinister was accompanied by Mrs Smith, .his secretary, Air Deavoll, Mr W. Bromley (Unemployment Board? and Air Mcßii.de Unemployment Board officer. Apologies for absence were received from Air Al. Alalonc (former Headmaster) and Airs Malone, Air Colville (former Headmaster) and Airs Colville Mr and Mrs G. A. James, Air C. T. 'Thompson (Chairman Canterbury Edu cation Board) and Airs Thoiuspon, Rev. and Mrs Alarks, Rev. H. R. and Mrs Fell, Air AlcDougall (contractor) and Airs AlcDougall, Air Rowley (Sccictary) Canterbury Education. Board and Airs Rowley, Air 11. Bignell, Airs K. O’Brien, Airs A. O. Harris and Mill. Bignell. Air R. J. Armstrong on behalf of the Committee, Headmaster, staff and children, extended a welcome to Hon. and Airs Smith, visitors, old pupils and parents. Despite the handicap brought about by the loss of the old school, Alp AlcLeod, the Headmaster, and his staff had secured excellent passes. The school had cost £4,300 and to the contractor (Mr AlcDougall) the Supervisor (Mr Gabardi) and the ■ Canterbury Education Board, they wished to extend their thanks. There were now about 225 pupils at the school, with u teaching staff of eight. All that was now required was to get the grounds in good order and he hoped the committee would work hard in order to do so.

The Alayor (Air AlcTaggart) extended a hearty welcome to the Alinister and Mrs Smith, stating that the people of Runanga, appreciated his visit. Although a mining community, Runanga took the credit of being one of the most progressive towns in assisting the working class, this being due to the way the citizens had fostered institutions and various classes of sport. They had one of the most foremost cooperative stores in New Zealand, which was the only one to withstand the depression. Thirty years ago Rununga was a place of virgin bush and now there was a population of 1.700. Ee hoped the Alinister would endeav■j,r to have the school ground placed n keeping with the very fine school. The school had turned out some good scholars, many of whom were to-day in good positions. The Alinister said that he was grateful for the warm welcome extended himself and Airs Smith, and apologised for it being his first visit to the West Coast. In the future the Coast would have a champion in the. member for New Plymouth. He had heard a lot about the yVest Coast but it was not as eloquently expressed as to what he had found it. He congratulated the township on its op-to-'late school and natural beauties. The Chairman would have his assurance that he would not be satisfied until the grounds were in keeping with the school and hoped before he left that they -would complete some satisfactory arrangement prior io his departure* The Chairman, he >.iid had talked about the misfortune in losing the old school, but they wore taking it rather gladly. T'ne first school at Runanga had been iqtuned by that great statesman, the late R. J. Seddon, and it was a pleasure that 29 years after his death he should open officially a new school at Runanga. His father had been for many years in Parliament as a supporter of the Seddon Government. He only wished they had more schools in the district like Runanga’s school. He was pleased to see the perfect lighting .-nd design so that five benefits were t.erived from the sun. The late R. J. Seldon had had a fight to bring in I'e-linical and High School Education but it. was now r an accomplished fact and would remain so, as they permitted uhi Id run to learn beyond the primary stage, and go into factory and field better equipped ’ than in the earlier lays. Boys and girls of to-day were

tow receiving the benefits of the foresight and courage of these men. He was glad to be Alinister of Education to see if he could not in some way take a leaf out. of the. books of the past, and even if only to show a litne courage do something better. He complimented the Committee on its good work. All over New Zealand they were indebted to the school committees for their great work. With the utilisation of the unemployed in New Zealand, school grounds had been beautified and must prove beneficial t.o children. He congratulated the (Canterbury Education Board on its progressiveness. Jf he had money available he would give authority to alter and remodel schols, . for sake of God’s sunlight. There were signs of a recovery particularly in the Old country, and lie was sure -when it came along they would be able to open their purse strings and assist more where they had been hampered in the past few years. lie declared the school officially open amidst applause. Air P. C. Webb. M.P., said he knew of no mining village with a better public spirit than Runanga, nearly all the work in the town having been done by spirited working bees. He ngrutulated the town on having such ; fine school. Air J. O’Brien, AI.P., referred to the ..ue spirit of' fellowship always present .n the town of Runanga. He said it was a pleasure fo” be at the opening of such a fine school in the town that he and Mr Webb had lived in and worked in.' Air ,Ri. Wild impressed upon the children to-day to engender the spirit of fellowship, and to rbmember not to try and push ahead of the other fellow. He appealed to parents to send their children tp school constantly. Air F. O’Flynn congratulated the town on its fine school and traced the early history of the old school. Mr AlcLeod, Headmaster, on behalf of the children and teachers, thanked ‘ho Minister for performing the cere rnony. The National Anthem was then sung. The .Minister invited the Head-

master to declare a holiday for the children on a suitable date. - Three heart v cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs Smith. The school was then inspected by the gathering, after which the visitors were entertained al afternoon tea.

At the conclusion, the Minister and Mr Bromley met the members of the School Committee and the Mayor (Mr R. McTaggart).

After hearing the deputation relative to the improvements necessary to the school grounds, introduced by Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., the Minister said he would make available a grant of £lOO from the Education vote. The Com mittec should get together and see what, it could do regarding employ ment of men. There was a scarcity of unemployed in Runanga, there being but half a dozen men available and possibly they could get some unein ployed from Greymouth. They could perhaps get the Public Works Engineer to lay out the scheme for levelling and cleaning up the swamp at the southern end.

Mr Bromley said there were only 70 unemployed in Greymouth and they could perhaps get 25 of them until the aerodrome ground was ready to be proceeded with. These men could be given a locality allowance, and the work could be carried out under the “task” or co-operative system. It was decided to see if arrangements as suggested could not be put into effect.