THAMES CENTRAL SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18693, 26 April 1924, Page 12

THAMES CENTRAL SCHOOL.

NEW PLAYGROUND OPENED.

ANZAC MEMORIAL UNVEILED

JBY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Friday The opening of the gates to the extended playground of the Thames Central School and the unveiling of the war memorial tablet took place this morning. The pupils of the school were marshalled outside the ground. Mr. J. H. Hodge, chairman of the school committee, welcomed the official guests, and Mr. A. Burns, a former pupil of the school, representing the chairman of the Education Board, unveiled the tablet, which bears the inscription: "Thames Central School, 191418. ' Lest We Forget.' " Bugler H. Burrett, ex-pupil and returned soldier, sounded the "Last Post," after which memorial wreaths were placed at the base of the archway.

After the playground had been declared open, the chairman gavo an interesting account of the effort to secure the additional playing space, and specially referred to the great assistance the committee had received from the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister for Education, a former pupil, who won a junior scholarship while at the school; from the Education Board and its officials; from the Borough Council in closing Martha Street, so that it might be included in the new area, and lastly, to the headmaster and staff, who organised the queen carnival, which contributed over £1100 to the object in view. Speeches were also made by Messrs. A. Burns and H. S. W. King, representing the Education Board; Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., Mayor of Thames; Mr. H. J. Wooller, headmaster; and Mr. W. H. Newton, his predecessor. An exhibition of work by the pupils was effectively displayed in the corridors.