ECHO OF GOLD FIELDS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12392, 11 March 1926, Page 11

ECHO OF GOLD FIELDS

HIGH SCHOOL JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT DUNEDIN, Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 10. The diamond jubilee of the Alexandra Distriot High School, with which was associated the opening of the meTPoriffi gates to jshe early pioneer Dun-, stan miners, wap celebrated on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, when ex-pupils of the school and ex-residents of the distriot assembled from all parts of Australia and New Zealand. The occasion was an historic one, and suitably recognised the progress of Alexandra and the Dunstan district oypr a period of 60 years. In that time - Alexandra, one of the earliest settlements on the Central Otago goldfields, lias developed from a busy headquarters bf the large but shifting population of gold miners to a thriving and solid .centre of ricji fruit growing lands. -Particular interest is also attached to the town gt the present time. as the Government irrigation proposals for Central Otago will have an important ’bearing ort the growth and progress of the district. ’ The school was opened in 1864, and has grown steadily until to-day it is a district high school, attended by more tlcn 200 children. Arrangements for the jubileo functions were in the hands of Mr C. Weaver, a prominent ex-pupil and townsman, aided by a strong committee. On Sunday an’d Monday ex-pupils reunions were held, and at the roll call on Monday, when 167 ex-pupils answered to their names, Mr P. Weaver, aged 70 years, a pupil of the scjiopl in its opening year, was ’suitably^hjSnoured. Mr F. S. Aldrect, the earliest exteaolier precept, alquitpob a prominent Part in the celebrations on Tuesday, The memorial gates to the Dunstan pioneer miners were unveiled by two of the remaining miners, Messrs J, Dewar and G. Field, in Hie presence of 400 visitors and residents. They granted the large reservation area in the centre of the town, a block of land reserved for the use of the town by the pioneer settlers.