THE PASSING OF THE OLD SCHOOL AT MAUNGATUA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23393, 7 January 1938, Page 5

THE PASSING OF THE OLD SCHOOL AT MAUNGATUA

TO THE EDITOR Sir—l was greatly interested in the very excellent letter which appeared in a recent issue from the pen of Mr David Wyllie, of Outram, concerning the passing of the old West Taieri School at Woodride. As the oldestablished school at Maungatua has shared the same fate as that of the West Taieri School, 1 think it only right that someone should write its epitaph as a companion letter to that of Mr Wyllie. As an old scholar of the seventies I have undertaken to do this in honour of the old school, though I do not pretend to be such an able penman as Mr Wyllie. I am a bit hazy in the matter of dates, especially as regards the year in which the school was opened. ft appears that the earliest records are not obtainable, but I know it was m the early sixties, a few years after the opening of the West Taieri School. I made my first acquaintance with the school early in 1872, and bade adieu to it in December, 1879, Mr William Murray, Mr W. G. Wallace, and Mr Thomas Halliwell were .the successive headmasters during that period, _Uf all those attending the school during that decade very few now remain in the district, their names being Mr John Millar, John and Jessie Gray. Thomas Gordon, and myself. Others residing in West Taieri, outside of Maungatua, are Mr William Marshall (Outram), Mrs John Marshall (nee Swanson). Mrs James Shaw (nee Murray) Mrs A. Petrie (nee Watts), and Mr William Bell, all of Woodside. During recent years death has gar-rr-red in many of those who attended the old school during the seventies Those who remain are getting well along the road of life with the Paf7jing years, and soon the world will know them not. Of those who attended during the seventies one eventual'y become a medical doctor 'Dr Cattan) Another, Mr G. Graham, took up teaching, and was rector of the high school at Mnsgiel for a time and later was appointed inspector of public schools. In the early eighties a now school and residence were erected, the old buildings being sold and removed. We often hear the term “good old day?” applied to the early years. They mav have been good in their way. but the t r rm certainly cannot be applied to the roods of those davs. for these were anything hut good, bom" chi"lv composed of deep ruts. Diming the winter season or after a protraded spell of we) weather, these clav roods became veritable nuagmires through which the children had to wade on their way to and from school. There were unhridgod creeks, which in times of flood had to ho negotiated bv creeping along the rail fence alongside, at (he imminent ri-k of slipping off into the wnt c r.

The children of Ihe present generation have nothin" of that sort to contend with, having good, well-kept roads to walk upon, and no unbrideed streams to cross. Many use bicycles nowadays, but these useful aids to travel were unknown in the seventies. The fate .that Is in store for our de?erted old school house I do not know, but I would suggest that a company should be formed to purchase it (or the purpose of turning H into a district hall. I think it w"” 1 d he a nitv hav° it removed. The district requires a public hall, and tm’s wnu'd bo a good opportunity of acauirinc one. the situation being admirable. It is for the residents to decide. —I am. etc..

Maungatua, Jan. 5. H. Watta.