MOMONA SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26996, 3 February 1949, Page 7

MOMONA SCHOOL

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

The golden jubilee of the Momona School will be celebrated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday next. The roll call will be held on Friday, a 1)211 in the evening, a. picnic on Saturday, a banquet in the evening, and a church parade on Sunday. Among the visitors who will be present are the first pupil and the first teacher.

A history of the school, Which has been prepared, states that about the year 1897 the Thomson estate was cut up for closer settlement, and the area named Momona. Prior to the opening of the settlement the few children in the locality had to travel a long distance to a school over roads that were not much better than mud tracks. It was due mainly to the efforts of the late Mr A. Moynihan, whose widow resides at Mornono, that a school site was reserved in the estate. ,A one-roomed school vjas opened in February, 1899, under the supervision of Miss Kay. On the opening day 28 children were enrolled, and in a short time the number was almost doubled. Miss Kay carried out the duties of teacher until the end of 1902, when Mr Chesney was appointed. In 1905 a second room was built and an assistant teacher. Miss Campbell, was appointed. Until the erection of the Momona Public Hall In 1912, the school was used for religious services and all social gatherings. At the present time the register shows that 575 pupils have been enrolled. Past pupils are widely scattered, while death has claimed many. Three laid down their lives in World War I. and four in the second World War. Much enthusiasm prevails among local residents over the jubilee and. a programme of functions of an appropriate nature has been arranged.