Reunion at Waitohi

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7031, 15 December 1932, Page 8

Reunion at Waitohi

SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS From Our Own Correspondent. A largo crowd assembled at the Waitohi school yesterday afternoon the occasion being tho 54th anniversary or tho school. Many past pupils were present, the most notable among them being Mrs. I. A’Court (neo Isabella Hammond), who was one of tho pupils to attend the school when it first opened 54 years ago. The first teacher was Miss Matthews from Wairarapa, rne following teacher being Miss Stevens. Other pupils who attended the school w;itk Mrs. A’Court were Mrs. Basil Thomson (Kairanga), neo Miss Margaret Brookie, and Mrs. Prior (Whangarei), .nee Miss Margaret Phillips. The land for the school site was donated to the Wanganui Education Board by Mrs. A’Court’s father, tho late Mr. H. Hammond, a pioneer settler of this district. Two past teachers were present, namely, Miss A. Silby, now Mrs. Howell, of Palmerston North, who taught at Waitohi 32 years ago, and Miss a. M. Williams, now Mrs. C. H. Symons, of Foxton, who taught at Waitohi 18 years ago. : Mrs. Howell related an amusing incident of how tho present building was obtained. The Education Board naa been asked to build a new school because tho old. ono was much too small. The board did not see the matter in this light. Finally, however, a member of the board was persuaded to pay a visit to tho school. Knowing the day ho was coming the children were told to bring their smaller brothers and sisters to school. Tho building was filled to overflowing with not nearly enough seating accommodation. The member duly arrived and only put his head inside tho door. Tho new school was granted immediately. Mrs. Symons expressed pleasure at being presont and said the hospitality of the people of this district was indeed wonderful. Mrs. Symons' term of teaching hero was the war period, an especially trying time. The boys and girls were all very enthusiastic knitters and made many pairs of socks for soldiers. Mr. E. Rowe, chairman of the school committee, extended a hearty welcome to all present and expressed regret that a number of local farmers who were past pupils of the school were unable to be present, haymaking keeping them too busy. Mr. Rowe apologised for the absence of his mother, Mrs. Rowe, who had been called to Wellington through the serious illness of her daughter, Miss Rowe. An apology for absence was also received from the secretary of the Wanganui Education Boaru, Mr. Swanger. The board extended best wishes to the gathering. To Mrs. Howell was given the honour of presenting the prizes to the children. Mrs. Howell said it gave her extreme pleasure to present the prizes, a number of the children’s parents having attended the school wnen Mrs. Howell was' tho' teackor. The ’ following arc the names of the children who received their prizes:— Primary classes: Percy Knutt, Helen Parker, Ngaire Henson, Stanley Rowe, Josie Chapman, Ross Telford, Betty Chapman. Standard 1: Mavis Telford, Nicolas Rowe, Tom Manson, Doris Pearce. Standard 2: Rex Pearce, Fred Rowe, Eileen Manson, Marjorie Dear. Standard 5: Ngairo Dear. Standard 6: Mildred Nicholson. Congratulations were extended to Mildred Nicholson in gaining her proficiency certificate and a special prize was presented to her. Other special prizes were presented to Rex Pearce, dux of the school; Doris Pearce and Mavis Telford, ror neatness; and to Ngaire Dear and Fred Rowe, for highest attendance. Mrs. Howell was presented with a beautiful bouquet made by Mrs. W. Henson.

The pupils then gave an excellent exhibition of folk dancing which reflected great credit upon their teacher, Miss Mitchell. An excellent afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of the district. "A beautiful cake had been made and iced by Mrs. Hilary Rowe. Mrs. A’Court was called upon to cut the cake. Before the cake was cut the four flags decorating the cake were presented to Mrs. A’Court, the oldest pupil present, to Stanley Rowe, tho youngest pupil of the present school, to Mrs. Howell, the oldest teacher piesent, and to tho present teacher, Miss Mitchell.

Mr. Rowe thanked all who had helpe’ to make the afternoon the success it was, particularly thanking the teacher, Miss Mitchell. The oldest and youngest pupils of the school present were photographed together. Incidentally Mrs. A’Court’s (the oldest pupil) father and Stanley Rowe’s (the youngest member) grandfather were both pioneer settlors of tLe Waitohi district.

Mr. J. Glover, junr., gave a short address, expressing pleasure at being present, he having started the first bunday school at Waitohi 28 years ago. Tho district then was mostly standing bush with no roads and only bnaie tracks. Tho mothers had a particularly strenuous time, often doing their washing at night after the children had gono to bed. A peanut scramble for the children concluded an enjoyable and unique afternoon.

Past pupils present were:— Mrs. I. A’Court (nee Isabella Hammond), Mrs. W. Chapman (nee Mavis Penny), Miss K. Rowe, Miss H. Rowe, Louis Nicholson, Miss G. Henson, Mrs. T. Manson (nee Phillis Scandlyn), Mrs. A. Adams (nee Susie Adams), Bernard Rowe, Lorraine Rowe, Sylvia Backman, Ella Pearce. Others present were: lurs. Mitchell, Miss Mitchell, Mrs. T. E. Collins, Miss L. Howie, Mr. and Mrs. J. Telfor I, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bradley, Miss H. A’Court, Mr. and Mrs. J. Nutt; Mrs. J. Scandlyn, Mrs. P. Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. E. Rowe, Mr. T. Manson, Mr. J. Glover, junr., Miss E. Galbally. Mr. J: Bradley congratulated Mrs. H. Rowe on tho excellent c..ko she had made and explained to the children the large number of people who had been employed in its making. A past pupil the school could be proud of was Mr. Frank Hammond, now residing in England. Mr. Hammond invented the patent for a bowser, some of which were erected in Palmerston North.