JUBILEE CELEBRATED

Northern Advocate, 8 December 1936, Page 8

JUBILEE CELEBRATED

MAORI SCHOOL AT KARETU Any function conducted by the Maoris of Karetu is popular with the pakeha; hence the great number of Kawakawa residents who, on Saturday, December 5, joined with the Natives in the celebrations attendant on the opening of their new school, and the school’s jubilee. The school children a fine band of boys and girls—opened the proceedings with the National Anthem, and the chairman of the committee, Mr A. Bristowe, asked the present head teacher, Mr Savage, to call the roll of the school’s first pupils, afterwards calling for one minute’s silence in honour of those past and gone. Mr Uru Davis and Mr H. Bristowe spoke on behalf of old pupils, and Mr Robinson—himself a past teacher—for' the long line of men and , women who had served the cause of native education at Karetu. Mr C. W. Boswell, a member of the executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute, speaking on behalf of" its GOOD members, welcomed the new building as a distinct advance on the old, but showed that it yet lacked adequate accom- ! modation for both pupils and teachers. More floor space per child, and separate rooms for teachers, was, he declared, the policy which the N.Z.E.I. endorsed as in the best interests of the children, and he begged Karetu that it should neither “slumber nor sleep” till another wing was added to their new school. Letters were read from the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, and Mr W. W. Bird, ex-Chief Inspector of Native Schools, the latter’s having a postscript in Maori, which was much appreciated by the Natives present. Captain Rushworth, M.P., while congratulating the people on their new building, said he could not but endorse the remarks of the last speaker, for he had to confess himself disappointed that he found the floor space per child but little better than he had observed in some overcrowded London schools.

After an inspiring address to the children, Captain Rushworth declared the school open, and Mr A. Bristowe invited the guests to adjourn to the hall and to luncheon prepared in native style. Later, at the cutting of the birthday cake, Captain Rushworth offered the thanks of the guests for the hospitality tendered them, and congratulated all concerned on the dignified and orderly tone of the celebrations.