TOKOMAIRIRO DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 9

TOKOMAIRIRO DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Educational activities must have been commenced in the Tokomairiro district about 1856. The first Presbyterian Church, which was also used for school purposes, was opened for public worship at Fairfax on February 28, 1857, but for a short time before it was ready classes were conducted in a small building belonging to Mr James Smith, Springfield, and in the schoolmaster’s house. The first schoolmaster was Mr Alexander Ayson, who came direct from Scotland for the purpose. After teaching for* some years he settled at Warepa, where he had purchased some land, but after some time he re-entered the teaching service, conducting the Southbridge School for some years, and finally taking up his residence at Mataura, where some of his family had settled. During this time a new school was built in Milton. Mr David Ross succeeded Mr Ayson, but after some years’ service removed to Oamaru, where he engaged in business. In the Brace Herald on December 24, 1868, there appeared a report of the breaking-up ceremony at the Main District School in Tokomairiro. Mr Ross was then in charge of the school, and with a view to affording an opportunity to the School Committee and the parents of examining the pupils as to the progress made in singing under the tuition of Mr Taylor (provincial singing master), the children were assembled at 11 o’clock. The musical examination showed that great progress had been made by the pupils. Mr Church, a member of the School Committee, expressed his cordial appreciation p Mr Taylor’s tuition. The Rev. A. B. Todd stated that in the appointment of Mr Taylor as provincial singing master Otago was in advance of many districts in the Old Country. The Rev. Mr Morrison, who had lately arived from England, also congratulated the pupils and the master on the music lessons.

An examination of the pupils at the Main District School was held on December 17, 1869, being conducted by Mr Ross and the Rev. Mr Thomson. Mr Ferguson examined some of the junior classes. The number of girls in the Latin class w.ts commented on by Mr Thomson, who said that the benefits reaped from it wont! tie great. He congratulated _ the pupil teacher (Mr Ferguson! on his proficiency in Latin, and said that if he preserved he would, no doubt, become an ornament to the Otago University. The Bruce Herald of December 28, 1870, states that tbe first examination of the local school since it was created a grammar school took place on the previous Thursday and Friday. There were then 165 names on the roll, and it is recorded that great progress was made during the vear. In 1875, by which time Mr Malcolm had assumed the rectorship, there were 350 names on the roll. In 1875 tlie name was changed from the Grammar School to the Tokomairiro District High School The attendance gradually increased, and in 1877 there were 448 names on the roll. Mr Jas. Reid was appointed rector in 1880, and the school was under his charge for a very lengthy period. He was succeeded by Mr W. B. Graham, an ex-pupil of the school, and when the latter retired his place was taken by Mr Bowie, the present rector.