THIRTY YEARS AGO

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

THIRTY YEARS AGO

EFFICIENT ORGANISATION ANNUAL SCHOOL CONCERTS. ASSISTANCE FROM PARENTS. Teaching ip the Okaiawa School about thirty years ago under Air T. A. Harris, M.A., as headmaster, and then the late Mr A. O. Bueliler, was a time which recalls memories radiant with happiness and interest, pleasant associations with the early school inspectors under the Wanganui Education Board, and happy co-operation with the different school committees at Okaiawa, together with other members of the school staff—Air George Crocker and Air. Rod Williamson, writes Mrs C. Benton (Alias Crowlitust) who taught at the school from 1899 to 1903. With such masters as Air Harris and Air Bueliler organisation was so good that the whole efficiency of the school and results achieved were of the highest order. Alany pupils rode to school, while the Raikep family, comprising a large number, travelled daily in a covered in van which was quite a sight in South Taranaki.

One of the greatest pleasures of the writer was organising annually a school concert, which brought out and developed much elocutionary and vocal talent. Some of the “stars” in these arts were little Ella Joll, Eileen Johnstone, Aland Chivers, Florrie Jury, Nellie Clement, Alitinie Oughton, Alary Flynn and many more, also Bruce .Toll, Jack Johnstone, Teddy Jury, Jim ■Oughton and many others. The overtures and accompaniments were, played each year by the A. 8.0. Orches- ( tra—All* Atkins (cornet), Aliss Betts (violin) and Aliss Crowliurst (piano). The mothers were simply wonderful for the time and work they put- in making fancy dresses, etc., for their children’s different items. One’s greatest reward in this work was noting the expressions of pride and joy on the parents’ faces while their own were giving a performance. In these days “Holly Bank,” the home of the Betts family, was, as it is to-day, the home of music and beautiful flowers and Aliss Betts, with her well-known sweet nature, at all times gave of her best in helping with her beloved violin, while the Misses Bremer always gave great assistance with their beautiful singing, also their father, the late Air A. Bremer, who possessed a cultured voice. The Betts family organised .a clever and versatile Minstrel Troupe, comprising also ladies, and there are many happy recollections of their successful visits to other towns. Air Frank Foster was one of the teachers who possessed a line tenor voice and later joined a grand opera company in England. In those days people were dependent on each other for social life, and among the “open” houses fof evenings for the young people were the homes of the McGuire’s, Johnston’s, JolTs, Uughton’s, Free’s, Brenmer’s, Seller’s and others. Distance for driving or riding counted as nothing. Notable musical events include the visits paid to Hawera by the Pollards’ Lilliputians. Lovers of animals and good stock always derived great pleasure m visiting the homes and farms of Alessrs Oughton, Bremer and Sellers, who gave every hospitality and valuable information .

In conclusion I cannot dc better than quote a few of these immortal lines of Longfellow’s “Morituri Salutainus,” composed when he visited his old school: “Some of the teachers are gone but We think of the teachers who in early days, Led our bewildered feet thro learning’s maze. Honour and reverence and the good repute, That follows faithful service a® its fruit Be unto them', whom Jiving we salute.” | SPEAKING TO THE PUPILS. And ve who fill the places we once filled. And follow in our furrow that we tilled Young men whose generous hearts are beating high, We who are old and are about to die Salute you, hail you, take your hand in ours, And crown you with our welcome as with flowers.” TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE. “When I survey the throng of faces j. turned to meet my own, Friendly and fair and yet to me unknown. Transformed the very landscape seems to be.’ TO THE ELDERS AND OLD PEOPLE. Ah me! The fifty years since first wc met Seems to me- fifty folios bound, and . set By Time, the great transcriber on his shelves, Wherein are written the history of ourselves. Work on to the end and do not fear to do new things 'because he says ‘Nothmg is too bite.’ Cato learned Greek at eighty and j

'Simonides Bore olf tiio prize of ver.se from liis

compeers When each had numbered more than four score years. Age is opportunity, no less than youth itself. Though in another dress-, and as the evening twilight fades away, The sky is filled wi£h stars invisible by day.”