RONGOTEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 176, 25 June 1938, Page 4

RONGOTEA

(From Our Own Correspondent.) , RONCOTEA, June 2s. There was a better attendance at the school on Tuesday .evening, when a second meeting was held in connection with the formation of an Old Pupils’ and* Parents’ Association. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdamcs D. B. Rowe, A. Hill and H. Fieldhouse, and Messrs H." Rowe, L. Hogg, A. Hill, H. Fieldhouse, and D. B. Rowe. The meeting formed a committee and elected a chairman as follow; Mr AV. A. Hurst, chairman; Mr Colin Hunt, secretary; Mcsdames F. Fraser, H. Fieldhouse, A. J. Will, A. Hill, M. Bower, H. V. Caverhill, D. B. Rowe, and Messrs K. V. Bickers, Fieldhouse, C. B. Hunt, W. Amoy, AV. J. Read, and D. B. Rowe, with power to add. A discussion took place with regard to the name, members pointing out that there were many people in the district who, although they had ho children at school at present, were interest; od in the school, and were always ready to help with any function connected with it. It was decided to call the association the Rongotca School and Householders’ Association, thus including not only pupils and ex-pupils, but all residents who were interested. The annual subscription was fixed at half a crown, quite a number being handed in. The association has been granted the use of one of the rooms at the school for - meetings, and it is hoped to' hold a social function later on. Mr Churchill said that ho felt that closer co-operation between the teachers and parents woidd result through the formation of the association, and this would be of inestimable value. Apart from the usual school routine there were the outdoor activities of the children and the annual,Calf Club and gardening competition. Then there was the question of swimming baths, which it was hoped would materialise in the near future. . This question was discussed, and the chairman and secretary were authorised to wait upon the directors of the dairy company. The diamond jubilee of the school was discussed and a sub-committee formed to compile a list of pupils. This will commence' with the first register and carry on up to the present time. An interesting feature of the meeting was the fact that two of the first pupils to attend the Rongotea School wore present. Mrs C. De’Ath, of Marton (formerly Miss Phelps), who was the first white child born on the Taipo Block, Rongotea, and also Miss H. Coker, they having entered the school together; also Mrs E. J. George, another of the early scholars. Mr C. Hunt mentioned that his father, Mr W. J. Hunt, was” actually the first child whoso name was entered at the school. A few interesting reminiscences concluded the meeting.