RATANUI SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23810, 17 May 1939, Page 4

RATANUI SCHOOL

REUNION AFTER FIFTY YEARS CELEBRATIONS CONCLUDED On Saturday the jubilee celebrations of the Ratanui School commenced, and were continued until the Monday night. . , . i On Saturday a reunion function took place in the school grounds, and on Sunday* the church parade was headed bv Pipers McLay and McDowell, who played the parade to the church, where Mr Reid, assisted by the Rev. Mr Craigie, gave an interesting jubilee address. . . During the reunion many old friendships were renewed after a lapse of 40 years. The weather was fine throughout, and the function v/as a complete success. The committee is to be congratulated on the fine organisation, the whole proceedings passing off without a single hitch. Much of the credit is due to the ener-etic president. Mr J. Williamson, and the secretary, Mr W Harrington. About 500 attended the reunion, and a remarkable feature of the gathering was the presence of the first teacher, Mr D. Percy, and one of the first School Committee members, Mr W. Williamson. Mr Williamson is the only survivor of the first committee. Only three of the pioneers of the district were present

—Mr and Mrs W. Williamson and Mrs John White. As a small token of the occasion, Mr H. Brough presented a small gift on behalf ol the Jubilee Committee to each of the pioneers. Mr Percy, as the oldest teacher, was also presented with a walking stick; although he said he did not yet require one. The first roll was called by Mr Percy, the first teacher, and Mrs Colin Bryce (nee Jane Draper) and Mr Robert Glass were presented with bouquets, being the oldest of the first pupils. The presentation was made by the youngest of the present scholars. Olive Meek. During the afternoon the gathering was addressed by Mr Roy, M.P., and Mr Thomas Maginness, member of the Clutha County Council, and Mr H. Brough. Church Parade On the Sunday afternoon the crowd assembled at the school hall, and, led by two pipers, paraded to the church, where a jubilee service was conducted by Mr Reid assisted by the Rev Mr Craigie The tianquet The banquet was held in the hall, there being 160 guests. The function was opened by the president, Mr J. Williamson, asking the assembly to sing the doxolooy, after which the ceremony of lighting the 50 candles on the birthday cake was carried out by the oldest woman ex-pupil. Mrs C. Bryce. The blowing out of them was the duty of Mr Robert Glass, the oldest male ex-pupil. The ceremony of cutting the cake fell to the lot of the two oldest women pioneers, Mrs White and Mrs Williamson. During the evening the following

toasts were proposed and honoured: — "The School," proposed by Mr Marshal, and replied to by Mr Woods, the present teacher; "The Education Board." proposed by Mr Thomas Maginness, and responded to by Mr Marshal; "The Early Pioneers," proposed by Mr H. Brough and replied to by Mr W. Williamson; "The Teachers," proposed by Mr F. Findlater and responded to by Mr Percy and Mr Davis; " Pupils—Past and Present," Proposed by Mr Craigie and responded to by Mr J. R. White and Mr F. Findlater. Picnic and Ball On Monday afternoon a picnic was held on the school ground, and a number of children's events was run off. In the evening an enjoyable ball was held in the hall, dancing being to the music of the Kaitangata Dance Band. During the evening several vocal items, step dances, and recitations were contributed. Roll of Teachers The following are the teachers since the opening of the school up to the present day, and their respective length of service:— D Percy (1889 to 1891). J. M. Simmers (1891 to 1893). A Gow (1893 to 1895) A. Gow and Miss Carlton (1895 to 1896). „ ~ lono . E Davis and Miss Carlton (1896 to E. Davis (1899 to 1901). W. Bannerman (1901 to 1906). E. Davis (1906 to 1908). E. Davis and Miss Gillespie (1908 to 1913). E Davis and Miss Bradfleld (1813 to--1915).

E. Davis and Miss Smith (1915 to 1916). E. Davis and Miss McDonald (1916 to 1917). E. Davis and Miss Peddie (1917 to C. H Taylor and Miss Peddie (1918 to 1919). C. H. Taylor, Miss Peddie, and Miss Franklin (1919 to 1920). C. H. Taylor and Miss McCutcheon (1920 to 1922). P. R. Kennedy (1923 to 1924) Miss Little (1925 to 1928). W. H. Hampton (1929 to i 931). G. Dewar (1932 to 1935). Mrs Adams (1936). S. McGregor (1937). K. R. Wood (1938 and 1939).