DIAMOND JUBILEE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 230, 28 August 1937, Page 9

DIAMOND JUBILEE

WHAKARONGO SCHOOL. OPENING GATHERING. Although the outlook in the early morning was very unfavourable, the weather cleared later at Whakarongo to-day, when the diamond jubilee celebrations of the school were entered upon. Bright sunshine was experienced in the afternoon. The opening gathering was a luncheon at winch former pupils were the guests of residents of tne district, the gathering being held in the Whakarongo Hall. So large was the attendance that an annexe outside the main building was .also used, a loudspeaker system being installed to facilitate the hearing of the sjjeeches. The hall was brightly decorated, and coloured lights were erected in preparation for to-night's festivities. The principal guests, who sat with the chairman of the present school committee (Mr M. E. Knudsen), who presided, included Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., Air J. Hodgens, M.P., Mr A. A. E. Mansford (Mayor of Palmerston North) and Airs Alansford, Air E. F. Hemingway (chairman of the Wanganui Education Board), Messrs AI. H. Oram, 1. W. Aludford, J. Batchelor and Colonel 'J. H. Whyte (members of the hoard), Air G. N. Boulton (secretary of the board), Mr J. A. Nash, and Air TI. AV. Wood, the present headmaster. Among those at the principal table also was the first teacher of the school, then Aliss Nellie Stevens and now Airs P. H. Lynch, of Kumeroa. Former pupils and residents were most pleased to see Airs Lynch in the best of health and she was an honoured guest. The following were the toasts arranged:—“The Whakarongo School,” proposed by Air J. A. Nash and replied to by Alessrs C. J. Erenstrom and J. F. Lynch; “The Early Settlers,” proposed by Air Hodgens, and replied to by Air B. Henaghan; “The City of Palmerston North,’’ proposed by Air J. ltomley and replied, to by Air Alansford.

Welcoming those present, the chairman said that the jubilee committee were most pleased to see such a large attendance. Alany had come a long ■way to be present and the committee fully appreciated that some of them were very busy persons and had had to make sacrifices to attend.

Grace was said by Rev. F. S. Ramson, vicar of St. Peter’s, whose parish includes AVhakarongo. Following the luncheon at the hall the arrangements were for a procession to the school, where further speeches, were to be given and afternoon tea provided. This evening there will be celebrated the coronation ceremony in the hall bringing to a, close the most successful queen carnival yet held in the district and to-morrow afternoon a Divine service will be held in the hall, conducted by the Ministers’ Association. On Monday night at the Coconut Grove ballroom, Palmerston North, the jubilee ball will be held.