MUSSELBURGH SCHOOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19867, 13 August 1926, Page 12

MUSSELBURGH SCHOOL.

TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY. The twenty-first anniversary of the Musselburgh Public School was celebrated last evening in a manner worthy of the occasion. The function took place in the St. Kilda Coronation Hall, which was packed by the scholars, their parents, and friends. Mr D. C. Cameron, jun., chairman of the School Committee, presided, and seated on the platform were a number of those who take an active interest in the school and in public life. Mr Cameron said it was a great pleasure to see silch a large gathering on the occasion of the twenty-first birthday of the Musselburgh School. The had established a splendid record since its inception. In the matter of its staffs it had been very fortunate. Splendid work had been done by the first head master (Mr John White), Mr J. B. Grant (the present head master), and such efficient teachers as Mr T. J. Woods, T. Paterson, Miss Cameron, and others. It had been a great pleasure to the committee to work in harmony with the teaching staff. The present head master (Mr J. B. Grant) was a most capable man, who was generally respected. Under his charge the school had become one of the best in Otago. The speaker also said that during the 2’ years of its life the school had only had two head masters, Mr Grant being the second. The chairman thanked the members of the Education Board and the staff of the board for their hearty co-operation since the school was established. He referred to such men as the late Mr J. W. Gore, and Mr J. Harris, members of the committee, and who had done much in its interest. The school had the hearty support of the residents, as was proved by the large gathering that evening. Mr J. J. Marlow said he was Mayor of the borough when the school was established in 1905. In 1904, when he was elected, he promised the residents of Musselburgh that a school would be established there. When he made such a promise hb had no idea of the opposition that would be made against the project, but with the support of the late Hon. R. J. Seddon, Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., and other prominent men, the school wag finally established. The school had proved to be one of the biggest assets of the district,' and he hoped it would always be staffed in the future as it bad been in the past. Mr J. Wallace (chairman of the Otago Education Board) congratulated the committee on the celebration of the school’s twenty-first birthday. The committee had set a good example during the past 21 years. The board was always learning, and always asking the Government for money, but it was always doing its best. The school in which he was personally interested also held a good record, as it had only had two head masters during the 40 years of its life, and one was still in active service. Ho wished the committee and school all success in the future. Mr E. Aslin, the first chairman of tho School Committee, referred to .the early work of the committee. The district had grown considerably during the past 21 years. The late head master (Mr White) had done yeoman service (or the borough and the school, and .it was a pleasure to see his work being carried on so well by the present head master and his staff. He hoped tho coming years would prove as prosperous for the school. The Rev. R. Scott Allan referred to his early association with the district and the school, which dated back some 15 years. He had become a great friend of Mr Grant, and he watched the progress of the school with interest. He did not know of one blemish attached to the school, and it ranked very high among the schools in the Dominion. As the old scholars had set a good example, ho hoped the present and future scholars would also pass from the school and take their places in the would and prove good citizens. The ideal of the teachers was to make good men and women of the scholars ond make them worthy citizens of tho land. He congratulated them on their birthday, and hoped that on even better record would be shown in future years. Mr A. T. MTndoo (chairman of tho Schools Committees’ Association) congratulated them on their coming-of-age. The committee's delegates on the association had been wise men and had kept themselves to the front. He concluded by wishing the committee and school every prosperity in the future. . Mr J. B. Grant, who was received with cheers when he rose to speak, said it was with pride that he took part in this celebration of tho twenty-first anniversary of the opening of the Musselburgh School, because of the regard he had for all .connected with tho school—pupilsj members of the staff, School Committee, the parents, and tho community in general. He know of no institution more dependent upon all sections than a primary school. He had found that in Musselburgh School district all tho sections ho had mentioned worked together for the good of the school. When ho took charge of the school in succession to the late honoured head master (Mr John White), the utmost friendliness existed between pupils, staff, committee and community. That friendliness, he was proud to say, had stood the tost of time, and continued to exist. The Education Board and the Education Department, too, had been most sympathetic and had subsidised the funds which the committee had helped (o provide for the purchase of the equipment needed to make their work effective. They now had facilities equal to any in Otago. Tho school reference library had filled one cupboard and was overflowing into another. The children were constantly consulting it, even Training College students found their way to it. The school equipment enabled them to provide the means for self-development of a pupil vyho might show a bent in a particular direction. Mr W. Jacobsen, who had been a member of the committee for 20 years, also spoke. He referred to the early days of the school, and concluded by congratulating the committee and school on attaining the twenty-first birthday. During the evening the Chairman, on behalf of the committee and school staff, presented Mr Jacobsen with an attache case in recognition of his past services. On behalf of the school children, the Chairman next presented Mr Jacobsen with a leather bowl bag. It was mentioned by the Chairman that the original committee consisted of Messrs E. Aslin, C. W. Gore. T. S. Culling, J. Wade, and J. Harris. The latter, before his death, occupied the position of secretary. Musical items were contributed by the school choir. Mr W. Mitchell, Miss D. Skinner, Miss M. Mumford, and Master Bruce Jones. The latter gave a splendid impromptu speech and recitation, which caused great amusement.