RIWAKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 13 June 1925, Page 8

RIWAKA

NEW SCHOOL OPENED FINE M'iMfJL'?>M S vICJCTIJEi: LARGE PUBLIC GATHERING A notable event more espi'eiiiily to tbe rising generation-in the -history (if tin* picturesque district of Riwaka. war. eeicdiraUid yesterday. when a tine modern school was officially opened by Air R. P. Hudson, nieinher for Aluluek;*. Judging by the large attendance, hub of adults and children, the importance of the occasion was fully realised : and the local school committee, which had the function in hand, arc to ho con gl'atld-itod on tin* very complete ai rangejnents made. Among |[Jc visitors present were Mi R. I’ Hudson, AI.P.. Messrs K. .!. Scant lebiirv. 11. Hill. S. ( an, avail. \Y. t . Baigenl (Education .Hoard). Mr Thornton laiivtary), Air Leapcr (aivliiirct) and S-ninr-lnspectoi* Pitcaitidy. \ particularly pleasing feature, was the large number ef well-dressed, sturdy and bright-faced

school children who were termed up in front of tin* building where the speeches were made. Tog;etlmr witli the general public it made one of the biggest- assemblages seen in tin* district for many a day. Tie* chairman of the local school commit lee (Air Drummond) presided. The chairman, in opening the proceedings. extended a hearty welcome to all who had assembled, lie went on to say that there was a history attached to

the building of the school, tint he did net propose to go- into' that. .Most, of those present were aware that the committee had striven very hard for a new school for tin* past live or six years, and their efforts had a! 'last been rewarded by a building which they were justly proud of and one which would serve the district for many years to er.me. Air Drummond went on to refer to the successful efforts made to induce the Department to extend the

original plans to provide an additional room, and the support given by Air R. P. Hudson in tin's direction were recognised. With the sympathy of the Board members and others the district- now had a very tine school. RcgreT- was e.xpiessed that it had not been erected in brick; hut they must ho satisfied with the next best. Air Drummond then called upon Air Scantlebury to address the gathering.

Speaking on behalf of the Nelson Education Board. Air E. J. Scnntlcburv said he ielt pleased at being present today, at what he could safely say was one of the most important junctions that had. ever taken place in the Riwaka district—the official opening of the new school and playground. Thunks to lln* Aliiuster of Education for giving a grant, for the erection of the building and the purchase of a new playground, to- the oliicers of Hie Department. and the great assistance given by Air R. P. Hudson, AI.P.. they had to-day one of the most up-to-date schools in the Dominion. taking into consideration the size of the district. Em* years past the Edu-

cation Re-nrii, in conjunct ion with Ih.* -school committees, had recognised that the old buildings had outlived I heir usefulness and had served their day. and that it was time now buildings and new grounds should he obtained. 3Tc. was very pleased to say that, their efforts had been successful. The residents of the district shewed their enthusiasm by agreeing to purchase the old buildings and laud, and thereby providing tilt; sum of £3OO. He also- referred to the great assistance which had been rendered on the Hoard by .Messrs Diligent and ('anavan. Speaking to the children. Air Sean I lobmy concluded:--"Von have a playground that thou.-.mds of other children in the large cities if they once saw it. would envy your goai fortune in having such a splendid flat piece of land. Aon have also a splendid school, and it- is for you to do your share by paying every attention to the instruction your teachers give von. so thiit- when yon leave school and go out, into the world to earn your own living, you will have a splendid ('duration to assist you." Air R. P. Hudson, m tin* course of his

remarks. paid (lie er.mrniiiee had hoped T lint the Minister of Ed neat inn (Sn C. Pnni wroil-J have been present to officially open I he mu selionl, hilt un toriunatply lie had been prevented from coining, amt he (the speaker) was. therefore asked to officiate in his stead. The chairman had expressed disappointment that the school had not been erected in brick, but .Mr Hudson pointed mil that. although all wore disappointed, it must lie remembered that the Minister had a tremendous expenditure to meet hi connection with new buildings all over the Dominion. Even in the Nelson province there were possible half-a-dozen new schools required, and they must he satisfied with the one they laid, and he* congratulated the district on having such a fine building ir. which to carry out the important work of educating the children. Who did they have, to thank for it? he asked. Answering his own question, he repiied that first and loreincst the school committee, lie knew the effoits. they had made, and he congratulated them. It. was a splendid trait in the character of the New Zealanders a-t the way the comm it ices and the general public laid themselves out to do everything possible for the benefit of the children ; and not only in that district. but others as well 'this spirit was a most commendable one. burning to the children ?dr .Hudson gave them words of sound advice. ■‘Why have you got this bcautifiii molding and school ground:'’ he asked. "Hie committee ami the Education Hoard fought, and bully-ragged the Government in order to get yiiu these fine advantages. Now show that you appreciate them . . . Non have got your duty to do now and it is tins: show that you arc worthy ot i: ; make every effort" todo your lessons well, anti everyone of you try to beat the other one. ' Bui do not let it (11(1 in education. Remember as you grow ujl to he men and women that education is net everything. You may be the cleverest hoy', but if you have not a good moral character ii is not much use to you. What is the of a university degree if von have''mil character behind ii ? Let’that he. your aim and you will he a credit to vt.ur parents, to your teachers, to vein-' di.(lict, to your dominion ami to'the Empire as a whole. Bear that in mind and try to profit b.v the splendid advice and lend and assistance that the teachers give you, and you will grow up worthy citizens.” in concluding, A 1 r Hudson said: "f proudly declare (his school open, and wish it every success and may it long flourish and 'turn cm good citizens who will he a (redo lo everyone connected with n / pin use.) Semor Inspector j'itrailidv added Ida congratulations to the committee lie was yeiy pleased that, the school was not ~ bnek one. because if cdnentimi was unino* to progress, as it had done in the 'past the school would need additions before ’■cry long, and it was much easier to a I tor a wooden building Iliac, a brick one. -Mr 1 ilcaithly referred to the elioils l.v flic commit, te,; and the Education linard in obtaining the-new school, ;m( | Jt |. t*.v that 'dark hmse’ Air llud.-m, win, was pusuing behind the scene.” They Slid t,Ol know how much Mr lludsm, had

done, for tlmm in getting the school. Tin* secretary of the Board (Air Thornton) had also worked most assiduously in their interests. After referring to- the splendid playing area. Mr Piiinithly remarked lliat since he had been in Nelson he hud noticed with pleasure the creah.jti -it M:o. “school sr.'ir.*' ’’ amongst t in* > - i:ddrefi ,ud the decided interest, on (ho p ri ol li:,* |> ireuLs 'lT■> examination of Hw* P w.*ic.i school children this year h,ni mi tv. ' A "ii have a tine stall of teachers, im"i i i gen I children and a fine district, and 1 hope that in a short- time you will li.ive io add another room. 1 am certain the best us' 1 will he made of this very line building." (Applause). Mr \Y. Street, the headmaster, in a bw wi rde to ? lir* parents, said the com nodec had dome a fair amount for the •■cm oj lately and had a big programme lor I lie !utin e. Ihi Ihe morrow t here would he a working I,.a* at the s. liool mound O' plain lives and shrubs. and !he appm In! lot parents to tome forwart! and help. I be i iet irma u 'lnn pros, lit cd II owanl Set l; With the du\ medal preseipcd hv the head teacher; and aunt ttiiccd that Mi fu-oda’l IsrrrctriA of the e< m mitt cel had promised lo deiiale a medal for the best girl timing the coming year. i he lornial piv-rcdmgs then terminal■ •d. Alicrnoon tea was provided for both adults and oliildren. due to the generosity ,i' the residents of tlto district. I’lie 1 1 1 ih1 1 .■ i• also had lollie seram • 'lts and sports, aml the senior hoys play i d a svvei' a side ioolhall 1 i.ui'i amenl with the Brooklyn st-hool. Altogether Ihe ymiugsf el'S had the time <; I their .V'.uun. I'VOS. and should long rellit loh. i t h(* reil-lettcr day in t lie history of their district.

DESC'IiII’TION OF R,GILDING I In new vi liool. built on ;i line area of .mound running into four acres, faces tiic north cast, ami is, erected on the principal to give the maximum amount 1 J air and sunshine, li has a frontage of ahoni ICCit by 30ft. and consists of four dims rooms 24x22. A corridor runs the woole li ngth ol the hiiildiiig. off which the class room's a'v reached. An elevated i-Miicrctt* iooiway 141 \t < ; iilti e. c, s and

rgi'i ss to the building, this doing away with dauge-ri.us steps. Almost, the entire front of tin building consists of I windows, i hnupjii which the sun was pouring into the eomlorlahle class rooms yt slcrdi*.v afternoon when an inspection was made. I here is a fireplace in eac h loom, and the wajls arc hung with some fine pictures and oil paintings. In the. corridor each pupil has a peg on. which thc.tr towels are hung-—a much more sanitary idea limn in the old days when one towel dhl service for a wlioje class ! The outbuildings arc built, on the latest principle: and the water supple is 1 pumped by means ef a If, h.p. Fairbanks Aloi'i-e i, : i engine. The school, which was I designed by the Board's a rehit cot (.Mr ! -A. H. Lcaper) and erected by -Messrs '■alder and Kelly is a credit tin all j ecm'i'iied. and should serve (he needs; < I I lie district for rears to come. The interest taken in tin* school by the. ' teachers and residents is sTfown by the ‘urge number of pictures which adorn the walis. With the exception of £lO worth purchased the whole were framed pc the teachers themselves from material piirveasvd Rev. Scott donated an oil

painting, and Airs C. Gooda.ll, Airs M-'sect and Air E. Bowers also contributed pictures, t' u . whole being valued a I about iJ;> 0. As one of the visitors remarked ve-'erdny on entering the class to. ms. they arc more like comfortable ntting rooms than class rooms. PROPOSED .MEMORIAL GATES Speaking at the conclusion of the lunction. Air Chittenden stated that it. had been said tied Riwaka had done Hint king to perpetuate tin* memory of the lads t'i-i 111 the district who had fallen in I lie I I iea i \\ ar. The matt or. hi.v.cvrr. had no! been forgot ten. hut up to ill** pi'est-m three had heen no suitable site on which to erect a memorial- Now that the new school had heen ('reeled it was proposed P> erect memorial gates at the main eni ranee to "*he ground. I here was a sum of about £l4 in hand from a fund raised during the war. ami tiiiis would form I lie nucleus of the amount, required to. he raised. It was hoped in the near fill live to erect- the gates, on which the people c 1 illii look with pride ami affectionate i ememhranee.