MR. H. BETTS AND FAMILY

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 28 September 1933, Page 8

MR. H. BETTS AND FAMILY

ASSOCIATION AVITH SCHOOL,

No family has been more closely as-

sociated with the life of Okaiawa generally and of the school in particular than the Betts, almost from its foundation, and the history of the school would bo quite incomplete without reference to their good service. Air Henry Betts, who had, with his family, reached New Zealand in 1873, decided, after ten years in the South, to try his fortunes in Taranaki', having heard reports of its fertile well ■watered land and its wonderful resources.

In 1883 ho came North to spy out the land and was at once attracted by the land at Okaiawa, though at that time it was thickly covered in fern, flax and

tute. Just at that time the land was being thrown open, and he attended the first sale of the lands at Okaiawa. The records of the sale at Hawera show that he secured one section.

The famliy live ain the township for two years while a house was being build on the farm. The first school was built before Air Betts arrived and he remembered it well. Two sons

—Messrs A. L. (Rert) and E. G-. Retts —were then of school age and the latter was one. of the early pupils at Okaiawa. His elder brother would have gone ’there also, but Mr Maunder could take pupils only to the fourth standard and he told him it, would be better to go to Manaia, w T hcrc he Would get better tuition. Rev. G. Welks, a man of many parts, was the master at Manaia and Bert used to walk every day to Manaia, crossing by a wire a stream en route. George used similarly to walk daily to Okaiawa. Air Betts treasures very much an cn-j larged photograph presented to him by j

the Okaiawa School Committee as a memento of the work done for the School by the family. Air Betts himself was too busy with his farm and orchard to take a seat on the school

committee, but his family did their full share of work for the school. Air Betts knew Air Alauiuler well and recalled his marriage after he came to Okaiawa. He left no family, but his brother, Air N. T. Alaunder, of the Duthie Road, lived many years in the district and is still alive. Mr GEL Betts, senr., is now nearing his 97th year and is still hale and hearty and keenly interested in the affairs of the district. He takes a live interest in the school and generally manages to be present at any affair in the daytime, and it is only a few years since he followed round the rootjudging and calf-rearing competitions,, going out without overcoat on a dull day and sho\Ving the keenest interest in all the proceedings. He was always keen to see the progress of the school and set the young farmers a wonderfully practical example by growing crops of mangolds which entitled him to the honour of winning the Sutton Cup. His was a very practical interest and its value must have been of very great value to the 'school and its teachers.