NEW SCHOOL AT AHURIKI FLAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 41

NEW SCHOOL AT AHURIKI FLAT.

"All things come to those who wait" is

an old adage which has a certain amount of truth ir it, but it docs noi always work ou: satisfactorily; If ihe people of Ahuriri hacf acted on that p&»nc:ple t which they have don* until lareiy; "they would have been waiting still. But they remembered that other well-known saying, "God helps those who heij themselves, and so set about doing what they could to get a suitable building erected in which their ehil- , dren might be educated with as little risk ito their health as possible. For a good many years a small hut las done duty as a school i the photo of which appeared in the Witness some months ago , but it proved uncomfortably small. The number of children in • the district did not warrant the Otagc Education Board in erecting an ordinary school building. Last winter the {School Committee decided to cauvaes the district and find out what the settlers would do to help in the "erection of a more 'suitable- building. The settlers responded very generously, and the committee then applied to the board for a subsidy. Several members and officials of the Education Board visited the district and saw for themselves the need for a larger building and the willingness' of the settlers to assist. : They promised to do what they could lor • the project, and applied to the Govern- . ment for assistance,' which was' readily granted. A site was then purchased front Mr A. North in a very central position, and the settlers undertook to cast the timber and to supply piles for the building. The new school was completed a few weeks ago, and the committee decided to celebrate j the opening by holding a picnic. An in- ! vifcafclor was extended to the members of the Education Board .to be present, which invitation was accepted. -Saturday, November 28, was the day fixed for the official opening, when Mr Thomas Mackenzie, chairman of the board, was expected to bs i present to perform the opening aeremony. Quite a number of the settlers gathered ] at the school in tho afternoon to participate ;in this event. The first disappointment • was occasioned by hearing that Mr Mackenzie had been preveotec at the last moment from coming, and the second wae ' occasioned by the ram coming <on. j The chairm*n "of the School Committee, j Mr Richard Kerr, carried out the openings 1 ceremony very efficiently, and in a short speech declared me school opened. He read a telegram from Mr T. Mackenzie, . M.P., expressing- regret at his inability to ! be present, as he had to attend an import- ' ant meeting in connection with the Taieri drainage scheme. He wished the settlers , and the school success and prosperity. The school being formally opened, all present filed inside and sat down to partake of the good things provided by the ladies, and) | as the Ahuriri ladies are famous for their i hospitality, all present evidently were well satisfied.

After lunch Mr R. Kerr, in a short 1 speech, thanked the settlers in the name of ' the committee, for their assistance, and | also announced that the school would be 1 granted free of charge for Divine service. Mr M'Kie then rose and proposed v vote of thanks to the Education Board, eepecij ■ally to Mr T. Mackenzie, who had exerted I himself greatly on the settlers' behalf, and |to whom they were praotioally indebted! for their new school. This vote was carried heartily by ail present. Outside games were commenced several times during tho afternoon, the young men playing cricket, and several races were run. The rain, however, kept on and drove everyone inside, where the elders eat and talked while the younger ones scrambled , about the floor in pursuit of a tennis ball or a knotted handkerchief, which sport became v«ry exciting at times. Many and various remarks were* passed on the new school; and everyone expressed themselves as -well pleased with i the building, which is well finished, and is a credit to the board's carpenters and painters. The teacher (Miss Mackenzie) will I appreciate the new building after having* been in the little school co long, as" « small building has a depressing effect on the children, especially in warm weather. The rair cleared off about 4 o'clock, when ■all present had their photographs taken ■by Mr G-eo. T. Randall.

An adjournment was then made for tea, when full justice was done to the eatables, after which the picnic broke up and the people wended their way home in a pouringrain.

Although bush fires have ruined a great deal of the forest scenery oh the Rimutakas, these mountains are now in places a blaze of colour. The broom is flowering, and ' whole hills are covered with a. gorgeous yellow mantle, which in the sun. almost blinds the evo«. Tn :•«*■•.-.'«* there are backgrounds of dark rich pine, affording that contrast which juf.»t- *a idyllic spring picture almost perfect.