LONGBURN SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9137, 9 February 1910, Page 5

LONGBURN SCHOOL.

_ For some considerable time an agitation has been afoot to have Longburn School shifted on account of its close proximity to the trains and the consequent danger to the school children.

After considerable negotiation a sito of about 3;2 acres was purchased from Mr H. Collis, and during tho summer vacation the school was shifted there. Its present position in the middle of the township is, of course, meet convenient to those resident in Longburn. Last evening a concert and dance was given to celebrate the opening.- Mr G. Bennett, whose labours are gratefully acknowledged by the district, was, owingto a family bereavement, unable to be present.

Mr F. Pirani, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, was chairman. Mr Pirani said he regretted to begin hie address by apologisng for the ab-

sence of Mr G. H. Bennett, one of tho

best and hardest working members of the Education Board, and who, in conjunction with the old Longburn School Committee, was tho chief mover and

worker in getting the school moved to

its present site. Mr Pirani also apologised for the absence of Mr Guthrie, M.P., a member of the Wanganui Education Board, who was one of the first teachers of Longburn School, and who would have liked very much to bo present. Continuing, Mr pirani referred in sarcastic terms to the wholly unfair way in which the present Government, while keeping highly-paid officials in oflice, had cut, down tho education vote to starvation point, necessitating the proportionate cutting down of grants to the schools in the district. Mr Pirani said the Government had given only a vaguo promise of a grant towards 'the removal of the ?chonl, and he trusted the people of Longburn would rise to the occasion and give all the help they possibly could towards the improving of the school and ground?, so that both teachers and taught could live and work in comfort, and produce results which would be a. credit to both school and district. Finally, Mr Pirani wished the meeting to pass a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr J. Hemmingson for tho contribution of £1 towards the metalling- of the school grounds, an example which he

trusted would bo followed by others who wished the school well. The vote was carried by acclamation.

Mr 11. Vile, late chairman of the Longburn School Committee, eaid he wished to congratulate the School Committee and the residents of the district in getting the school moved to its present site. Mr Vile said he wished distinctly to state that he had no personal feeling whatever as regards the site, but that, as a- large proportion of the children came from Awapuni, ho thought, and the members of the old committee were also of tho same opinion, that the school should have been moved to a more central site, but as he understood the Awapuni residents, in conjunction with the people of western Palmerston, were moving for a site near Botanical roewl, that matter had automatically ficttled itself. Finally, he wished again to heartily congratulate the people of the district on the consummation of their wishes.

The following- concert programme was gone through, the various items being much appreciated:—Overture, Mr Taylor; song (comic), "Killiecrankie," Mr Harris; song , . "Somewhere," Mr J. Meek; violin solo. True Love Gavotte. Mr G. A. Taylor; comic duet, "Why, of Course," Messrs Young and Bethune ; recitation, "Sally and Sam." Mr Beccansall; sons , , "The Drum Major," Mr 11. Lyall ; "Musical Glasses," selection; comic song , , "Jeric-o," Mr Young , (encored) ; cornet solo. "Alice, Whe.re Art Thou," Mr C. Godfrey; song, "Crossing , tho Bar," Miss Passey ; recitation, "The Ninety and Nine," Mr F. Pirani; clog dance, Mr Prentice; song. Mr Jackson; song, "The Singer was Irish," Mr Dickinson : song. "Down on the Farm," Miss Langley; recitation. "Not Too Bad," Mr Pirani.