FEILDING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 18 March 1936, Page 5

FEILDING

CHELTENHAM SCHOOL. JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. On Saturday, March 28, the Cheltenham School will attain its jubilee, and fitting steps are being taken to mark this important milestone in the history of the district. Prominent among the local residents who are taking a part in the preparations is Mr H. W. Wood, headmaster of the Cheltenham School, who has just completed a booklet entitled “These 50 Years,” covering the progress of the school from its birth in a little-known bush covered settlement half a' century ago. From Mr Wood’s booklet the following account of the school and district has been taken:—

The district grew out of the settlement of what was known in those early days as the Manchester Block and some 12 years after its settlement, when the landscape was still in its picturesque native bush, the first Cheltenham School was opened in a house situated on Kimbolton Hoad. The first route to the new settlement of Cheltenham which received its name, through one of its earliest prominent settlers, Mr Wm, Mills, who migrated from Cheltenham, England, was via the Oroua River, and this was used until the track leading out of Feeding, northwards, grew into Kimbolton Road and a highway more convenient than the rough going along the river’s course. It was on April 19, 1886, that the first school was opened with Mr R. C. Templer as the first teacher. He also had charge.of the Kiwitea School, which he took in the mornings and Cheltenham in the afternoons. The original school register is still in the present school. The roll on that memorable opening day numbered 10, but I by the end of the month had increased , to 15. Bush fires along the roads I were responsible for the small attend-1 ance during the opening week of the school. Within a year of opening a new buildjng was erected on a site, given by Mr Wm. Mills and the original room of this building is to-day used as the infant room of the school. By the end of 1887 the roll had increased to 24, and early in 1888, on two occasions, there was no school owing to bush fires—an echo of the perilous pioneering days when the great forest

which encompassed the district was being cleared to make way for the pasture lands of to-day. School records make mention of difficulties over the chimneys, which smoked too much and often from the wrong end. Bad weather and bush fires adversely affected the attendance, while smoky chimneys contributed to the unpleasant lot of both pupils and teacher. Despite all, the work of educating the children persisted and in January, 1890, the school became a full-time institution with Mr Templer, relieved .of. his duties by Mr R. 0. French at Kiwitea, as head teacher. In 1893 the roll stood a.t 40 and that year witnessed the celebration of Arbor Day by the planting of an oak tree as well as some wattles and some pines. The oak tree remains along with the wattles, but the pines have gone. Mr Templer relinquished his duties in January, 1894, and Mr H. J. Carter relieved until Mr H. Coventry was appointed in the following April, a.nd"he served until June, 1906. Mr G. Small did relieving duty until the appointment] in July of Mr J. Harre, who was head | teacher until 1911 wnen Mr M. R. | Mac Ewen took charge. In 1920 Mrs A. 1 Horneman was appointed and this lady retired in January, 1925, when Mr Wood obtained the position. The school roll gradually grew and when the school resumed in January, 1896, the number of pupils attending was 57. The room was built to accommodate 44 and a shed had to be utilised to take the overflow. At this time the school received its first cadet, Mr John Cunningham, who remained for a few months, when Miss Winifred -Ray was appointed pupil teacher and she re-, mained till November, 1897, when the roll stood at 61. Other pupil teachers were appointed from time to time until 1902 when Miss Cunningham (Mrs D. H. Mac Lean) was appointed assistant teacher —the first to occupy that position. Owing to the crowded state of the room the board built another room to accommodate a further 20 pupils. At the end of ’B9 the roll had risen to 73.

Not the least interesting part of the school’s history is the incident concerning the school flag. This flag was purchased 36 years ago through

subscriptions gathered by the boys, and its official unfurling by Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, the-then member for the district, took place on November 1, 1900. At that time the head teacher, Mr Coventry, caused the following oath to be copied in front of the class readers : “Here under the school flag, I will always remember that I am a British subject and I will try all the days of my life, with God’s help, to do my duty, to honour the Flag, and never to lend myself to a mean or cowardly action.” The old flag, though tattered and torn, is still in the school and much treasured for its associations. ■ FURTHER ADDITIONS. ,

Early in the twentieth century the roll continued to climb and with the figure at 96 the board decided to erect another room and this was opened in 1903. During Mr Havre’s term as head teacher dairy science instruction was commenced at the school and a school garden was cultivated with excellent results. In 1914 Mr John Bruce presented additional ground for a school garden and at this period an asphalt tennis court was laid down and officially opened by the late Hon. D. H. I Guthrie. After the Great War a roll of honour was erected in the school and later efforts were successfully directed towards acquiring more land. In this connection the souvenir booklet makes special reference to the excellent work done by Mr Harry Jaggard, through whose efforts the school is better off for grounds than many others. The first chairman of the School Committee was Mr Wm. Mills, and | those who followed were: Messrs W. 0. S. Nicholls, W. Stretton, R. Bar-1 row, J. C. Hare, R. Taylor, H. Jaggard, and A. B. Shannon, who was elected in 1929 and is still acting. The district’s history in sporting activities is one testifying to a practical interest in outdoor exercises. The 'District Sports Club was established 45 ypars ago and continues to function with a big meeting held each New Year’s Day. The Football Club commenced its career before 1896 and the Wanderers team still plays in the Oroua Sub-Union’s competitions. A cricket club was formed in ’96 and the team was successful in winning the Guthrie Shield in 1909 and 1910, but when the Great War intervened and brought with it so many changes the club was not resuscitated. The Rifle Club, which still holds regular weekly shoots was formed in the early nineties under the presidency of Mr F. Spencer. The Tennis Club, which is of

fairly recent birth, came into being largely through the enterprise' of Mr Bruce Short. The two churches of the district, the Anglican and Methodist, were opened about 1304. HE ADI [ASTER T R AXSFER R ED. It is reported that Mr H. IV. Wood, headmaster of the Cheltenham School, has been transferred to Whakarongo and leaves at Easter to take up bis new duties. Mr Wood took over the Cheltenham School 11 yeais ago, being transferred from Bangiwahia. During his residence in the township he entered thoroughly into the social life of the community and took a leading part in practically every organisation in the district. Under his energies as secretary, the Cheltenham-Kiwitea Athletic Club prospered, while in the midst of all his usual duties he found time to be chairman of the Hall Committee, secretary of the Church of England and the local flower show, j At present Mr Wood is ■secretary of i tho Cheltenham School jubilee celebra- j tions. which commence on March 28. He has also boon closely connected with all sports bodies in the district and he will be greatly missed when ho leaves Cheltenham.

COMING-OF-AGE PARTY. The coming-of-age of their daughter, Miss Gwladys Bealing, was celebrated by Mr and Mrs F. J. Bealing, Derby Street, at a party given in the Oddfellows’ Hall at which some 70 guests were present. Pretty floral decorations enlightened the hail. Cards, dancing, and competitions were enjoyed. Mr S. Leitch was M. 0., and under his direction a varied programme of oldtime and modern numbers was enjoyed. Mr E. Bramwell was at the piano. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss Jessie Bealing and Mr H. Boniface. After supper had been served, Mr A. J. Humphreys, whoso friendship with the Bealing family is of many years’ standing, proposed the health of the guest of honour,- and paid a tribute to her popularity. He also thanked Miami Mrs Bealing for the opportunity afforded the guests of the gathering to celebrate the occasion. The traditional gold key was handed to Miss Bealing by her father, the presentation being accompanied with musical honours. The birthday cake was made by Mrs Bealing, and was lit with the appropriate number of candles. The party continued until an early hour. A number of visitors, friends and relatives of the guest of honour, were present from various centres, and included the following: Miss P. Brown, Mrs Brown (Auckland), Mr and Mrs Madsen, Mr and Mrs Alec Donald, Miami Mrs Albert Donald, Mr and Mrs' F. Perrin (Wairarapa), Misses M. To Punga, D. Naesmith and M. Verry (Palmerston North). Mrs Bealing, wearing a frock of crepe' marocain, received her guests. Miss Gwladys Bealing wore leaf green satin and laoe, while of her sisters, Miss Jov Bealing chose red and white crepe, Miss Jessie Bealing, floral crepe, and Miss Betty Bealing, blue satin.

CARNIVAL PARTY. The final party for the school queen carnival candidate. Miss Jean Wood, was a success socially and financially. Greenery and flowers gave the hall the attractive appearance the occasion demanded. Messrs C. Anderson and L. Murray were M.C.’s and music was provided by an orchestra from Feilding. Mr H. McFarlano and Miss H. Christensen were the winners of the lucky Gay Gordons, and Mr L. Burns and Miss D. Pettitte carried off the prize in the Monte Carlo dance. At the end of the evening Mr "Wood thanked the patrons for their attendance, following which his daughter expressed her warm appreciation of the liberal support accorded her throughout the campaign. PERSONAL. Miss M. Francis was successful in passing the rudiments of music paper at the December examination for A.T.C.L. She is a pupil of Mr 11. 11. F. Jones, L.8.5.M., L.T.C.L. Mrs A. Dutliie, Kimbolton lload, is visiting relatives in Wanganui.

JOHNSON PARK LEASE. FEILDING OLD BOYS’ VIEWS. “I'm not very favourable to the attitude of the Manawatu Rugby Union, but at the same time I do not like this talk of the ‘big stick’,” stated Mr I). Whisker, the president, at the annual meeting of the Redding Old Boys Foot- | ball Club. on Monday . night, in • referring . to the remarks made at the Feilding Club’s annual meeting relative to the dispute between the Manawatu Rugby Union and the Feilding football executive in connection with the lease of Johnston Park. Continuing, the president said the Feilding football executive might have a legal right in the matter, but at the same time it was not doing any good I by creating a situation which would tend to widen the breach. The dispute] had now been going on for quite a while and might never be settled, and Mr Whisker did not like the idea of waiting until the dispute had been settled before the club nominated its teams. He favoured the nominations being put in at once. Mr J. Finlay agreed with the chairman in this direction, and moved that the club endeavour to nominate three teams.

Air L. Penney felt that the club should stand behind the Feilding football executive and the Feilding Football Club in the matter, and moved an amendment that tho nominating of teams be left in the hand of the committee until such time as the dispute was settled between the executive and the union.

Or. being put to the meeting the amendment was agreed to. Closing the discussion, the_ chairman said the dispute had been going on for quite a while and might never be settled. What then, he asked, would be the position of the club and its teams ? SCRUM "FORMATION. DIVERGENT VIEWS. Reference was made 'by Mr C. Pearse at the annual meeting of Fcilding Old Boys’ Football Club, on Monday, to the remarks of Mr S. S. Dean, of the New Zealand Rugby Union, regarding the international scrum formation of 3-—2—3. Mr Pearse did not think that this was the ideal formation, and favoured the return to the 2—3—2 scrum, and as the matter was to be discussed at the annual meeting of the Rugby Union he suggested that the meeting should pass an opinion on it. His views were ! all in favour of the 2—3—2 formation. Mr M. C. Amadio: What about the eighth man; where would you put him ?

Mr Pearse replied tliat tliis was a problem. ' Expressing tho opinion tliat the 2—3—2 .scrum was hopeless against the 3—2—3 or the 3— i —l formation, Mr It. Ewart said a return to the formation suggested by Mr Pearse would spell the South African disaster over again. The backs could not play without the ball and the 2—3—2 scrum could not give it to them when pitted against a 3—2—3 scrum. _ It was decided to leave the question to the union to settle. CHELTENHAM RIFLE CLUB. CHAMPIONSHIP SHOOT. . The Cheltenham Pifle Club opened the series of championship matches on Saturday' afternoon over the 300, 500 and 600 yards range*. Messrs E. Whitphead and J. C. Williamson each won a silver spoon for scores of 100 or over. 'The fololwing were the results:—J.O. Williamson, 31—32—35 101: F. Whitehead, 3335—33—101; S. Mavhew, 33—34—32—99 ; S. Harrow, 32 E. Booking, 32—33 33 J. Fraser, 32—34—31—97; ,T. 11. Williamson, 33—35—28—96; It. Stuart, 30—-32—31—93; V. Barrow, 26—34—33—93; P. Churcher. 26—33 —32—91; U. Buekman, 27—33—28 88. B. grade.— R. Tavlor, 26—29—31 86; J. Osborne, 24—27—27—78; ltev. Williamson, 22 —16 —25—63.

VALEDICTORY. MR W. MAI FAREAVELLED. Mr AV. Alai, of the Feilding Post Office staff, who lias been transferred on promotion as cadet to the Packakariki office, was met by his fellow officers and the postmaster (Air J. B. Purcell) who, on behalf of the staff, presented Air Alai with a leather suitcase. Air Purcell said Air Alai would take with him the best wishes of his fellowworkers for his future advancement, and he wished him every success in his new sphere. Air Mai suitably returned thanks for the kindly gift and expressions.