SHANNON SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 193, 17 July 1939, Page 2

SHANNON SCHOOL

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. MANY VISITORS PRESENT. Formerly one of the principal centres of I lie flax industry, and one of the earliest areas to lx? colonisid in the Alanawatu, the Shannon district on Saturday celebrated the jubilee of its school, which was opened on July 17, 1889, with 15 pupils—and now has a roll number of .‘3OO. The school lies stood for half a century not merely as a symbol of learning. Round it have been built all the traditions of family life and fellowship which mark the steady development of a settlement. Consequently, from all parts of New Zealand came pest- pupils to renew the strong ties oi sentiment, and the township found its normal ponulition suddenly doubled by the influx of visitors for the jubilee. Six hundred filled the largest hall for the jubilee dance on Friday night, and it was the gayest- function in the history of the township. The celebrations were continued on Saturday afternoon with an official unction in the school grounds, the weather being brilliantly fine. In a corner of the grounds a pig a sheep and potatoes were cooked bv Maoris in hangi style, just- as had been done fiftv years ago on the same ground. Mr J. T. Rovis, secretary of the jubilee committee, read a message of congratulation from the Minister of Education (Hon. P. Fraser), who expressed regret at. his inability to ho present. Numerous congratulatory messages received included those from Mr \\. Jf Venn (A l imns, Greece'l, Mr J. BligH (South Africa), Mr H. J. Mitchell (Kenya Colony). Air H. Hook (Melbourne), and several expupils in Australia. STEPS OF PROGRESS.

Mr R. Law, chairman of the jubilee committee, extended an enthusiastic welcome, to all the visitors, expressing the hope that all would join in making it a most memorable day. He stated that the area had been transformed from bush and swamp into fields of smiling fertility, but even before the pioneers came there were Maori settlements in the clearings along the banks of the Manawatn River. Since then there had ben ; ’D years of educational and social progress.

The first sale of land in Shannon took place in 1887, recalled Air Law, but Air G. N. Woods had been the first settler some years prior to that. The school was opened on July 17, 1889, with the late Air AV. Voysey as headmaster. Early settlers and pupils could look back with pride on the past and count the blessings they bad enjoyed, together with the courageous, sturdy, independent and self-reliant spirit that had made this possible. He hoped they would always retain that spirit, and not lean too much on others. Air Law welcomed to the jubilee the representatives of various bodies. Rev. ATr Murray led the assembly in prayer, and a two minutes’ silence was observed in memory of those who had passed beyond. Afr A. E. Hyde (Dep.utv-Alnyor) said Shannon welcomed the visitors from all parts of New Zealand. He commented that Shannon had become a borough in 1917. its destinies being guided h.v Air AV. Murdoch as the first Alayor, and .he had been followed by Air E. A. Butt, the present Alayor, whose health, unfortunately, would not permit him to be present at the celebrations, but he was one of the pioneers who had taken off his coat and carved out Shannon from the rough. Air Hyde said the improvements in the town had not been great, but its progress had been steady.

Speaking ns chairman of the School Committee, Mr H. B. Morrow paid a tribute to the enthusiasm, ability and unselfish spirit shown by the school staff. He had been given an undertaking by the Minister of Education, lie said, that a new modern school would be built at Shannon as soon as possible.

Mr. AA . E. Dickenson (headmaster) said the jubilee focussed attention on the past. Great changes had been made. Now there were a dental clinic, school swimming baths under construction, bituminised areas, and a more advanced and liberalised education, marked by the abolition of examinations. From the past came the inspirations which expressed themselves in courage, fortitude of spirit and selfreliance. The earlier settlers had taught the unforgettable lesson that knees must not sag in adversity. He admired and respected them, for without the possession of the fine qualities and vigour they had had, much of what they saw that day would not have been accomplished. Mr. A. Judd spoke as a representative of visiting school committeemen, and Mr. T. Kokika on behalf of tile Maori race.

Recalling that he had gone to Shannon 36 years ago. and spent some of the best years of his life there, Afr. •T. Barclay. ALP., said he could truthfully say it was one of the finest districts in New Zealand. He said he was there to deputise for Air. L. G. Lowry. ALP., who would be present in the evening, and he brought a special message (published elsewhere in this issue) from the Minister of Education. CALLING THE ROLL.

Subsequently the roll of early pupils was called by Airs. ,T. D. Brown of Kuku (formerly Aliss Dunlop), the first woman teacher. Posies were presented by Airs. Law to three of the earliest pupils of the school and three of the Hi’st teachers. Former pupils who received these were Airs. C. S. Rush, of Eltliam (Aliss Editli Gascoigne). Airs. T. Jamieson, of Shannon (Miss Maude Richardson), and Airs. E. C. Salter (Aliss Eleanor Thompson). Former teachers who received posies were Airs. .T. D. Brown, Airs. James Richards, of Levin (Aliss Brock) and Airs. F. ’ G. Roe, of Levin (Aliss NewtonA.

Led by the Horowhen.ua Pine Rand, present and past pupils, teachers and committeemen then marched in procession to file South African War ATenmrial, where a wreath was deposited hy Mr. A. Spencer, and the Cenotanli. where wreaths were laid hy Airs. Rush and Air. Law. The hoys who carried fhe wreaths were Selwvn Hyde. Ken AA r nods and L. Spiers. Later, afternoon ten was served in the parish hall, whc'e pieces of jubilee cake were distributed. THE BANQUET.

Festivities for the day concluded with a jubilee banquet attended l>v nearly 400 persons in the Druids’ Hall in the evening, when numerous toasts were honoured. The catering was on a most generous scale. Following the loyal toast, which was proposed by Mr J. T. Bovis. “The Sfhool” was proposed by Mr Lowrv, who commented upon the large attendance at the function, and said the sight of so many happy and contented faces in the fraternity of reunion was not one readily to be forgotten. It I woo'd, he said, be interesting to ascertain the ramifications of the minds of those participating in the jubilee. From a psychological point of view there was no measuring of the happiness of such an eventful day. Coupling ■the toast with the name of Mr S. C. Sheddin, a former headmaster, who had recently been transferred to the Grey--1

town district, Afr Lowry welcomed to the district the new headmaster, Mr Dickensen, saying that he was looking forward to “things to come,” not only in the Shannon School, but the whole educational system. Concluding, Air Lowry expressed the hope that the former pupils of the Shannon School would always speak well of their “Alma Alater,” and that the boys and girls who passed through its portals would develop into good, sound, solid citizens.

Replying, Air Sheddin said that the school had fifty real’s of history behind it, and all its old associations. It had been really wonderful to see the way the former scholars had attended the reunion, and he congratulated the committees responsible for the organisation of the functions which, he said, had been an outstanding success.

Mr 11. .T. Law, who is an ox-pupil, proposed the toast of the “Ex-Pupils of the Shannon School,” saying that every decade was represented, and that ex-pupils of the school had done their share of nation-building in all parts of the world. The responses were made bv Mrs C. (8. Rush and Mr T. Trask (both of Eltham). Mr R. Hayes (Shannon) and Mr AA’. Law (Tauranga), who recalled the early days.

Mr Hyde, in proposing “Past and Present Teachers,” paid a tribute to their ability and tact. Mr J. I). Brown (Kuku) replied on behalf of his wife, formerly Miss Dunlop, and he mentioned a few episodes of the past. Replies were also made by Mrs H. G. Roe (formerly Miss Newton), Mr A. T. Whyte (a former headmaster), Mr I. McDonald, Mrs W. Law (formerly Miss Sylvester), and Mr A. H. Morgan (Cambridge). Mr A. Richards (Shannon) sponsored the toast of “Past and Present Committees.” and spoke in most laudatory terms of their self-sacrificing work on behalf of the children. Mr Murrow (present chairman) and Mr L. H. Best (a past chairman) replied.

“Old Identities” was the toast entrusted to Mr C. H. Spiers (Shannon), who emphasised the courage and perseverance of the pioneers of the district. Replies were made bv Mr G'. N. Stephenson (Palmerston North) and Mr ,T. Barclay. M.P., both former residents of Shannon. The concluding toast was “Absent Friends.” and it was honoured in an appropriate manner. The function concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Items were contributed during the evening by Miss .Tonn Bovis. Miss Joyce Menvood, Mrs S. Barber, Messrs H. D. Brown and J. D. Campbell.