PALATIAL SCHOOL FOR RANGIWAHIA

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 2

PALATIAL SCHOOL FOR RANGIWAHIA

Opening Marks Jubilee Celebrations EDUCATIONAL AIMS AND AMBITIONS Rangiwahl&’s new and palatial school building, conforming in every respect to the latest architectural designs for modern educational centres, was officially opened by the Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, at the school’s jubilee celebrations yesterday, in the presence of a record gathering of settlers and ex-pupils. The day was a red letter day for the district which has been so fortunate to secure a school of architectural beauty and one designed to meet the topographical and geographical features of the district. Pioneer settlers and original ex-pupils had nothing bat the highest praise to offer for the particularly handsome structure compared with which their log-cabin of the pioneering days was but a make-shift shelter hewn out of the heavy bush-clad countryside and accepted in those stirring pioneer days as the district’s school.

Proceedings were in charge of Mr. W. E. Boshier, chairman of the school committee, who cordially received the official party on their arrival from Taihape. The Minister was accompanied by Mr. EL F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, Mr. G. N. Boulton, secretary of the board, Mr. E t R. Hodge, the board’s architect, and the Ministerial staff.

On arrival the Minister was greeted with the presentation of a colourful bouquet for Mrs. Fraser, and later m the proceedings was given the freedom of the district when a little girl of the school pinned to his lapel the badge and ribbon of ex-pupiis. “I thank you most heartily for your meet charming reception,” said the Minister in opening his address to the gathering. His inspection of the new school building satisfied him that the district had been provided with the vary best the Government could provide and he wished to eongratulate the board’s architect, Mr. Hodge, for the erection and completion of such a fine building which was a fitting commemoration of the school’s jubilee. He praised the beauty of the structure and the workmanship which had produced such a splendid edifice. Both the interior and exterior came up to very high standards and it was good to know that the children were able to be provided with such beautiful surroundings—surroundings which would give them a standard to which they should aim. While the new building did not reach the highest architectural standards which the Education Department had laid down, it conformed in every way to the requirements and climatic conditions of the district. Where the climatic conditions were suitable the aim to-day was to provide the open-air school buildings where the school opened directly on to the playground, offering the maximum of fresh air and sunshine. He was sure that the new structure must be very heartening to the headmaster, Mr. Mills. He congratulated the present committee, the past committees and old pupils upon the success of their efforts in securing such a handsome school.

The Minister went on to congratulate the district in celebrating the jubileo of tbe school —a jubilee which was being marked in a very creditable manner. He realised what the old school meant to those old pupils who had come from far and near to take part in the celebrations and he felt that they would be thinking how fortunate the children of to-day were to possess such a fine structure. He was honoured indeed to be associated with them in their celebrations.

The Minister went on to refer to the past political representation of the district, mentioning that it had always been fortunate in securing Ministerial recognition. He recalled the late Hon. D. H. Guthrie who rendered great service to the country as Minister of Lands, while he was well aware of the great social work Mrs. Guthrie had rendered the district. There was also his friend Hon. J. G. Cobbe whose interest in the district had meant much to its progress. He had been very fortunate in his office as Minister of Education in that he bad had the fullest co-oper-ation of everyone for the advancement of his programme. When the budget figures came down it would be seen that the expenditure on education had been very considerable and his desire was that the people would be able to appreciate how the money had been expended. The new Bangiwahia school was a typical example of bow that money had been expended. The Government was determined that the children should have the best schools possible because tbe aiui was to start the children off along tbe road to good health. There was enormous lee-way to make up, said the Minister. Hundreds of localities had celebrated their jubilee and he had been inundated with letters pointing out the need for new buildings to replace those worm-eaten structures, many 50 to 00 years of age. In the light of to-day’s knowledge those buildings were absolutely unsuitable, having the wrong orientation and fulfilling every condition for the spreading of disease among children. One he had in mind in the North Auckland district was a hot-bed for the spread of tuberculosis germs. To-day school buildings were not erected simply for architectural beauty but were erected primarily with the object of promoting the children's health. All were built facing, as far as possible, the north, so as to ensure the maximum of sunlight. The old type of buildings were in the nature of freezing chambers and no child could be nappy in such conditions. It was a question of fresh air against stuffiness. There was a day when one knew little about fresh air and sunlight, but to-day all thoso old-fashioned ideas had changed and the importance of health was always a foremost consideration. The Minister went ou to mention that he was to be approached on the subject of extending the dental clinic service to Kangiwahia and agreed that it was in

every way desirable, since good teeth were important in the matter of promoting good health. He mentioned the the rapid development of the dental clinic service and the training of hundreds of girls to undertake the work of attending to the teeth of the children. He did not wish to enter into any controversy over what happened during the depression years in the training of dental nurses, but he marvelled at the hallucination that it was possible to build a healthy nation by curtailing expenditure on children’s health. The Government was out to develop the service and was training nurses as fast as possible with the ultimate object of giving districts such as Kangiwahia the clinics which would pave the way towards good teeth and good health.

Tho milk-in-scliools service was another iihasc of the Government’s plan to build up the health of tho children, said the Minister, who outlined the development of this scheme and the wide appeal it was now making. The service ensured that the children received at least one article of diet towards the promotion of good health. The scheme had exceeded the greatest expectations. Reports from teachers demonstrated that the children taking the milk not only improved in weight but improved in vitality and intelligence. The greatest success came from districts literally surorunded with milk, and in these districts the bottle and tho straw appeared to make a new appeal. He spoke of the experiments carried out to test the value of the milk scheme, and it had been proved most valuable in improving the teeth of the children. The objective was health first, then educational training. There had been, he said, all-round support for the educational programme of the Government, but there was enormous leeway to be made up on account of the depression years. Considerable expenditure was involved in making up this leeway and there was still much to bo done if the children were to receive the full benefits of the educational training. The aim was equality of opportunity for every child. The scheme of allowing boarding allowances was being developed and endeavours were being made to establish in every district facilities for secondary educatiou so that tho training offering will be equal to the education obtainable in tho cities.

Concluding, the Minister asked for the full support of settlers in order that the objectives might be achieved. (Applause.) Mr. W. P. Shaw, of Mangaweka, represented the Kiwitea County Council in the absence of the chairman, Mr. L. T. McLean. He offered his congratulations to the school committee upon securing such a fine building. Mr. E. B. Gordon, M.P. (Kangitikei) said that it gave him pleasure to be associated with the gathering and the welcome to the Minister. The new building and the jubilee certainly marked an important stage in the district’s progress. The speaker went on to refer to the very great interest the Hon. J. G. Cobbe had always taken in Kangiwahia and recalled that Mr. Cobbe had played a part in assisting the district to secure its school which the district might well be proud of. (Applause.) , Mr. Hodge said that the district had been provided with a school designed to serve the needs of the children and he was sure it would fulfill every requirement and give every satisfaction. Mr. Hemingway offered his congratulations to the district on the celebration of the school’s jubilee. He hoped that the present generation would not forget the great work of the pioneers, those industrious settlers who paved the way for the future development of the dis trict and made it possible for the children of to-day to receive such an excellent school.

At the conclusion of the Minister’s address when the school was formally declared open, the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea. Last evening a ball was held and to-day there will be sports and an evening entertainment. Many ex-pupils including the original headmaster, Mr. Stantiall, are present for the celebrations. Opening Proceedings. Before the Minister arrived Mr. A. E. Mills, headmaster, extended a hearty welcome to all ex-pupils and ex-teachers and said that it was a matter of extreme pleasure to him to look over'the school records and note the achievements recorded therein. Ex-pupils he knew were scattered throughout New Zealand and perhaps throughout the world. The school had a fine record of service and he hoped that the children of to-day, when they grew up, would be as ready in time of need to step forward to offer the same honourable service.

Mr. W. P. Stantiall said that it gave him great pleasure to be present and he recalled that the Kangiwahia School was his first charge as sole teacher. The district he remembered was outstanding in its hospitality—its people were moßt kindly and he had very many pleasant recollections of his days at Kangiwahia. He spoke of the original building, an old log whare standing in a clearing carved out of the bush by the pioneer settlers. All should be very proud of the new building, he said. It was evidence of the progress of the district and of the enthusiasm of the settlers for the welfare of their children. He concluded by thanking Mr. Mills for his references to the ex-teachers. (Applause.) Names of Original Pupils. (1889 to 1895.)

Mary Stent, Louis Stent, Arthur Stent, Agnes Bielski, Annie Bielski, John Bielski, Clara Bielski, Ada Clark, George Lash, Alexander Goodwin, Frank Bieiski, David Koscoe, Nellie McKinnon, Annie McKinnon, Frederick Ahlers, Theodore Ahlers, Herbert Goodwin, John Goodwin, Mary Gould, Alex McKenzie, Thomas Chinn, John Carey, George McKenzie, Ernest Gould, Charles McLenaghau, John Gould, Kenneth McKenzie, Richard Jones, Charles Jones, Mary Jones, Martha Jones, Ellen Goodwin, Gwladys *Jones, William Sands, Maude McKinnon, Mabel Gladstone, John Gladstone, John Neilsou, Mary Neilsou, Florence McGregor, Headly Thompson, Arthur Thompson, Joseph Thompson, Florence Thompson, Trances Thompson, John McLenaghan, Frederick Hankoek, Jonathan Rose, Emily Rose, Harriet Rose, Ruby Thompsyn, Harold Rule, Basil Rule, Cecil Rule, Empress McKinnon, Thomas McLenaghan, Allan Franklin-Browne, Helen Pemberton, Zoo Brazier, Grace

Goodwin, Francis Gould, Mary Bengeman, Maud Bengeman, 'Thomas Bielski, Edwin Old, Charles Hasse, Minnie Hasse, Edith Basse, Archibald Stevcn.i, Harry McGarcll, Laurence Stevens, Charles Goodwin, John Bengeman, Annie James, Maggie Bryce and Mary Reid.