ARGYLE: AN IDEAL CLOSE SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 28

ARGYLE: AN IDEAL CLOSE SETTLEMENT

Situate in the Waipawa County, about six miles from its county town, Waipawa, and reached! by a good road, lies the Argyle Settlement. Its Western boundary adjoins the Hampden township, and it is a near- neighbour of Onga Onga, four miles to the southward. Argyle was originally a portion of the Milbourne and T'e Reinga, estates, which were acquired "by the Government about the early part of 1903. A considerable portipn of the settlement is alluvial land, and the cropping has yielded an excellent average, and 1 raised large stacks on the homesteads. The westerly winds, which sweep with tremendous force over the settlement of Argyle, have militated against the growing, for in many cases a first planting has not availed, and. a season has been lost, hut these drawbacks w T ill, in time, become past evils. Many fine dwellings are dotted about the settlement, flanked by commodious wool sheds and farm' outbuildings, several roads branch off from the main road, and will, in due course, be metalled, metal being readily accessible. As the months sped on, and the small prospective crown tenants and heirs presumptive to the County Council and Road Board ratepayers lists, grew bigger ind older, the settlers of East Argyle made strong representation to the Education Board of Hawke’s Bay for a public school building, and a State teacher. Their request was granted and a school erected' on the reserve to accommodate fortyr-two scholars. This is fenced around with a substantial wire fence. Mr Beyers, chairman of the school committee, gave 100 shelter trees, and a portion of the reserve is to he fenced off as a. paddock where the horses of those children who ride to school may be kept. The lady parents of the children, and their friends, desired to mark the opening of the school with due display "of hospitality and merry-making, and prepared afternoon tea on that occasion, which was July 17. The day was fine and sunny, and the invited guests, which included the Revs. G. K. Stowell and GL Frost, Miss Absolum. and Messrs S. Johnson, E. Bihhly and Mclntyre, together with the school committee, assembled at the school. A 1 group of happy little folk in holiday mistress, awaited them, and Mr H. P. Beyers, presided. Mr SL Johnson, member of the Education Board, was the chief speaker. He detailed the procedure of the Board, which had eventuated in the establishment of a school, the various controlling powers and their duties, and impressively urged the benefits of education, commending them warmly to the consideration of his hearers. He then declared the school open. Miss Kemsley has a roll number of nearly 30 children already. The Rev. G. K. Stowell offered prayer, and the Rev. G. Frost urged the necessity for regular attendance of pupils. A sumptuous afternoon tea was enjoyed and a lavish supply of confectionary handed round. Conversation was merrily promoted amongst the adults, and the children feasted, and were photographed. A verse of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close.