Hikurangi School’s Fine Patriotic Effort

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1942, Page 2

Hikurangi School’s Fine Patriotic Effort

Juki what can be accomplished by a group inspired wiih a spirit of patriotism and fired with contageous enthusiasm, is graphically portrayed by the children of the Hikurangi School. For the best war effort in Northland the school has succeeded in attaining equal first with the Herekino school in tlie competition for the H. W. Crawford Memorial Prize and open to all Northland schools from Albany to the North Cape. This is indeed a

worthy effort, and the school and individual helpers are to be highly commended on their achievement. Many will be interested to know what constituted the children's war effort, and from a brief review of the Hikurangi school's activities a fair criterion of the nature of the work performed may be obtained from the following:—The children have a garden of half an acre under intensive and systematic cultivation, from which vegetables are supplied to the army. Eggs are sent to the Carrie Hostel in Auckland by individual pupils through their own poultry club, an institution. recently formed under the jurisdiction of the Whangarei Poultry Association. Wool spinning is another departure: the manufacture of spinnerettes in the school workshops for distribution to various country schools, the making of large numbers of sea boots from raw wool, and spinning large quantities of wool irom thi• fleece.

Then the school workshop has supplied 24 sets of splints to the Hikurangi Red Cross and the E.P.S.. Many tons of waste have been collected. Bottle drives have brought in revenue.

patriotic functions have had practical assistance from the children, and in one instance the pupils of the school organised their own bring and buy. from which .£2O was realised in one afternoon.

Other activities less significant, but of real value, are continually occupying the young people's attention.

Breaking-Up and Prize Giving The annual breaking-up and prize giv ing ceremony of the Hikurangi school was held in the Criterion Theatre on Tuesday evening.

Mr C. K. Munro presided. He addressed Ihe assembly, as also did Mr D. H. Cochrane, chairman of the town board. Tie' hall was literally packed, many having to be turned away.

The first half of the programme was occupied with the distribution of certificates and awards, whilst in the second half the children entertained with a pleasing concert programme, an outstanding item being that of the infant department. The children’s choir also received an ovation.

Amongst, the honours, mention must be given to at least two pupils. Thirteen year old James Hardie attained the medal for Dux of the school, and he was also runner-up for the Kerr Scholarship. A special honours certificate issued by the Wellington Red Cross Society for first aid l was awarded to thirteen-year-old Violet Scott, a meritorious achievement. The prizes and certificates were presented by Mrs C. K. Munro. Fire Board Meeting At a meeting of the Hikurangi Fire Board held in the town board office on Tuesday evening, and over which Mr D. H. Cochrane presided, the matter of equipment for the auxiliary fire service was discussed at. length. It was resolved ihat tite National Service Department be again communicated with, stressing the point that the firemen are not fully I'quippi'd and asking that the Department endeavour 10 expedite the matter. The question of the supply of a frailer pump met with little success from the Dominion Fire Controller who informed the. board rha: it was not practicable to supply one to Hikurangi. Messrs Buckland and Co., Ltd., advised the board that fire hose was not yet to hand but a large supply was on order and as soon as it came to hand the board would receive its share. Concern was felt at some members of the fire brigade receiving notice of transfer to the Home Guard and that the question oi remedying the matter bo dealt with.

Accounts totalling £54/19/2 were passed for payment.