NORTH TAIERI SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21124, 6 September 1930, Page 14

NORTH TAIERI SCHOOL

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS,

AFTER SEVENTY-TWO YEARS

The seventy-second anniversary cole--bullions of the North Taieri School were commenced yesterday.- The weather was rather unfavourable, but those who had gathered for the occasion did not allow the rain to damp. their spirits, and a teiy pleasant afteruopu was spent in renewing old friendships and talking over old times. Considering the size of the school, there was a large number, present for the celebrations, the - oldest ex-pupil there being Mr William Smellie, who attended the school on its inauguration in 1858. ', ■ ; HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL The earliest provincial school in the district was that of East Taieri, which was also intended to cater for the chib dreu of North Taieri, though the distance and the lack (of roads and bridges prevented their attendance. The population of the district gradually increased, and in 1858, after much agitation, a school was erected! at Moeraki Bush. This, however, was still insufficient 'to fulfil the needs •of the North Taieri settlers, and two ydars later a deputation. consisting of -Messrs D.\Oughton. John Shaw, and Andrew Todd, waited on the Education Board to such good advantage tliat on August 1, 1860, North Taieri was proclaimed a .separate educational district. Mr Findlay was appointed first teacher of the North Taieri School, at the salary, of £IOO p.er annum.By the ordinance of 1856 teachers weri authorised to levy fees, which were usua.lly added to their salaries. Mi Findlay’s fees ranged from 10s for the first child in a family, decreasing by 2s Cd for each succeeding child until the fourth. Any further were exempt. The church was used as the school, and the first report to the Education Board showed that the attendance was 27, comprising 16 boys and 11 girls. The report urged that a’building should be erected for the accommodation of the scholars, and pointed out that land could be, obtained in a central position at a reasonable price. As a, result there appeared in the Appropriation Ordinance of 1860-61 a grant of £425—£400 for school buildings, teacher’s bouse, and necessary equipment, and £25 “in aid of education.” The site of three acres, which is at present used, was purchased from Mr Donald Reid for a small sum. It was a considerable time'yet, however, before a school was erected. \ w At the end of 1801 Mr Findlay resigned- to open the first store in the district, and his position was taken over by Mr George Blyth Anderson, who was born in Jamaica in 1836, He arrived at Auckland in 1858 by the ship Evening Star, and took, an active part in the Maori war in Taranaki, for which he received the-New'-Zealand medal. Mr Anderson began his. teaching in the combined church and school, arid shortly after his arrival opened a night school which was very much appreciated by the settlers. In 1804 a combined school and residence was built, and is in use to-day. In the new school Mr Anderson worked for seven years under) great difficulties. Pupils came from as far away as Taioma, which was then known as Mullocky Gully, and owing to the absence of good roads they attended school on only three days in, the week.. Despite these obstacles, however, the attendance rose in 1871 f o 78, thus warranting the appointment of a mistress. Mrs Price received the position, and assisted Mr Anderson, very largely to maintain a high standard of work. She was succeeded at the end of 1872 by Miss Agnes Short, and three years later a further increase in the number of pupils necessitated the appointment of a pupil ■ teacher, Miss Bethia Bringans being appointed. Miss Short left the school in 1876, wheh Miss Christina Winder took over her duties. In the-same year the building was enlarged, and a separate teachers’ residence of seven rooms was erected at a cost f £350.: - - About that time ft was felt that there was a necessity for a colonial system of education, the disparities in the various provincial systems being obvious, and on November 29, 1877, when Sir George Grey was Premier, the Education Act came into force. In 1878 the system of “ free, secular, and compulsory educawas introduced. School fees were abolished, the powers of school committees curtailed, and a rigid syllabus was enforced by inspectors’ annual examinations. _ lu 1886 the old, school which had carried out its function for 22 years was condemned, and a new building of three rooms was erected at a cost of £533 S S . The old-school then housed an athenaeum, which became very popular. One expupil, Archibald Woollatt, fell in the Boer War. In the year 1904 manual exercises were introduced, with the idea that the children shodld become more profipient with their hands.’ Nature study was also taught. -' Mr Anderson, then the oldest teacher in the service of. the Otago Education Board, resigned on March 31, 1008, after 46 ’years /spent in . the North- Taieri School. By that time, owing to the establishment of othbr schools in the district, the attendance at the school had decreased, allowing for only ojie teacher. This position was assumed on Mr Ander soil’s resignation by Miss M. S. Pretsch who remained until April, 1928, The Groat War brought forth a ' noble response from ex-pupils, 10 of whom paid thi supreme sacrifice. The pupils also did good work in providing money and comforts for the soldiers. The, school was totally destroyed by fire in November, 1019, and strenuous efforts were made by the committee to have a new building 'erected, but the Education Board preferred to house the scholars in the Athenaeum, which had formerly been the school. Miss Tmt-ie acted as relieving teaehei for a few months after Miss Pretsch’s retirement, and then Mr A. A. Harrison, the present teacher, was appointed, and under his direction the school has since. con: tinned to progress. ■ . -

1 OPENING CELEBRATIONS. . The President of the Ex-pupils Association (Mr Charles Findlay), in officially opening the celebrations, said that it 0 -ave him very much pleasure to see such a excellent response to the invitations which had been sent out. The distance which many had travelled in order to be present gave evidence of a great affection for the old school, and he trusted that everyone would have a thoroughly enjoy ble time. The speaker apologised for" the absence of “ho chairman of the Taieri County Council (Mr A. Kompshell), and as the member on the council for the North Taieri riding he'extended a welcome to the ex-pupils and teachers on behalf of the district. ROLL OF HONOUR UNVEILED. X The unveiling of the’ roll of honour, upon which were inscribed the names of ex-pupils of the school who had ser-ed and fallen in the Boer and Great Wars, was carried out' by Mr David Smaillie! and Mr John Williamson read out the names. At the conclusion of this ceremony a lament was played by Pipe-major Stavert. The major portion of the afternoon was

occupied by photographing, the ex-pupils and teachers being taken in accordance with the various decades of their attendance at the school. During an interval, in which afternoon tea was served, the <2 candles on a birthday Cake were lighted, and the cutting ceremony was carried out by the oldest lady ex-pupil present, Miss Eliza Whyte, who attended the school as long ago as 1862. The, president of the Ex-pupjls Association (Mr Charles Findlay) presented Miss Whyte with the knife she used, as a memento of the occasion. After a suitreply The recipient was accorded musical honours. The gathering broke up at about half-past 5. . : SOCIAL AND DANCE. Though the afternoon function- was deemed to be successful, that of the evening was oven more so. Old and young vied with each other as to who should derive the greater entertainment. The decorations of the hall were.magnificent, and the bright and attractive scene contained within the four walla will live in the memory of all who attended for many years to come. There were siiigers in plenty, and: all of more than average quality; there were old-time dances and modern dances; there was music both modern and old. The usual orchestral iteriis were interwoven with ■accordeon selections, and all the while fun was at its highest. The musicians, like the,piper'in "Tam o’ Shanter,” “ Gi’ed them music wi’oot charge. They screwed the pipes and gart them skirl ~ Till root and rafters a’ did diri! ” It was a night such as only the jubilee could give. The president (Mr C. Findlay) arid, the secretary (Mr John Williamson)/ who controlled the evening’s amusements, made very efficient M.C.’s. Mrs D. T. Shand must be -complimented on the army of artists she had gathered together for the programme. M*s a Har risen, Messrs Harrison (2) and Meikle John supplied the music for the dancing and the following ladies and gentlemen favoured with, vocal,. instrumental, and elocutionary iteriis:—Mesdames C. Pen man, J. A. Fqwler, J. Williamson, K. Wedderspoon, Misses Miller, Matheaon, B. Findlay, Messrs W. Currie, R. Algie, S.vSmellie, Harrison, .and Smellie’s orchestra, Mr Harrison and Miss C. Smcllie played the accompaniments: Supper was served at an interval. It was well past midnight' when’, the company dispersed, all'looking forward to the continuing of the celebrations today, A picnic will be held during the and a banquet in the* evening.