PENINSULA NEWS KUAOTUNU SCHOOL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32898, 20 August 1947, Page 9

PENINSULA NEWS

KUAOTUNU SCHOOL

CLOSED FROM LACK OF PUPILS ANOTHER STEP FROM OLD DAYS The school at Kuaotunu has been closed—whether permanently or temporarily will no doubt depend upon the child population of the district but at present there are no children of ‘School 1 age near enough to attend the school. Its closing is yet another step further away from the days Ox the 'gold rush in the district. Few strangers passing through Whitianga and on to Kuaotunu could realise that forty years ago Whitianga boasted three and Kuaotunu four flourishing hotels! As the mines were worked out and the population the town, the old houses, store and hotels were pulled down and it is not uncommon now to see a solitary chimney still standing in the tea-tree or the overgrown mound of bricks that was once a fireplace. Great clumps of belladonna lilies, snowdrops, jon-

quils and rambler roses that have braved the years bear witness to the fact that some of“ the old timers tended a garden. The hills that are now farm lands are well marked with the mouths of old workings, where prospectors relied on their knowledge or just “ rode a' hunch.” Every one hoped to locate the continuation of the great Try Fluke lode, which stopped at the hillside as if cut off by a giant knife.. Evidence of the one time prosperity of Kuaotunu is the imposing post office building, and the large school and school house on the hill. Of course, there is always the hope of another “ strike ” and a return to former 'glory, hut in the meantime another chapter in the history of the old town has closed.