PORTOBELLO SCHOOL JUBILEE

Otago Witness, Issue 3523, 20 September 1921, Page 44

PORTOBELLO SCHOOL JUBILEE

The diamond jubilee of the Portobello School is being celebrated these days with . an enthusiasm which reflects credi.'on the residents of the popular township on the sunny side of the harbour. Ex-pupils have been very busy for weeks past digging up 1 early records from the days of sawmills, 1 runaway sailors, strenuous pioneering, and hearty goodwill. Sunny Rortobello was not destined to have its pioneering possii bilities realised bv the running of a light railway down to T’eninsula, but it retained its identity, and its school has sent pupils to take part in the wider life of the general community. Such things leap pleasantly to the mind when jubilee conics round. The very early history of the school lias been blurred to some extent by the passing of I the years, but it seems that the school I was first opened about 1857. The present J building is the third in succession, built to meet the expanding needs of the increasing population. Mr Edwards—father of Judge Edwards, recently retired—was the first teacher, and when he was unable to continue through ill-health, or similar cause, the school was conducted by Mrs Edwards. Mr Greenwood was the next teacher, then Mr Lewis, who reopened the school after it had been closed for a time. He was succeeded by Mr Thomas Tily. who taught for about 14 years. Mr Barton was master for twenty-nine years, and after him Mr Robert Fergus (brother of the late Hon. T. Fergus) for 10 years. When Mr Fergus retired the present master, Mr A. Hanna, was appointed. The first lady assistant. Miss M‘George, was appointed about 1863; the present lady teacher is Miss Cable. The first number of the jubilee celebration was a school concert on Friday evening, and it was well attended, the visitors including Mr J. Wallace (chairman Education Board), Mr J. Horn, M.P., and Mr James Smith (local representative on the Education Board). .Mr *•. Bloy, .chairman of 1 lie School Committee, presided. He said the concert that evening was the first of a series of entertainments to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the school. Of the other entertainments he did not wish to speak, but representatives of the school in bygone days would speak at the reunion on Tuesday evening. He. however, took this the first opportunity to appeal. ini behalf of the committee, to all the residents to make the celebrations worthy of the occasion. lie particularly wished to emphasise the committee's desire that as many ex-pupils as possible should endeavour to participate in the jubilee. The reunion gathering would be in the capable hands of Air D. D. Seatoun. and this should be a fair guarantee of a successful social evening. The programme for the first concert was by the pupils, whose preparation for it, however, had been interrupted hy a period of strenuous work prior to the examinations. Mr Wallace congratulated the committee and the head master on the improvements at the school. .speaking m similar lines, Mr Horn said the school compared favourably with other schools. Mr Smith rej ferred to the good work done by Mr Hanna in backblocks school, and of his efforts to rtromote the welfare of the Portobello School. All the speakers made congratulatory reference to the diamond jubilee. Mr Henna responded on behalf of the pupils and the staff. The programme of songs, recitations, etc., was very nicely rendered by tho pupils, the senior and junior divisions taking their parts very pleasingly Mavis Broadley, Iris Hanna, Alexander Montgomery, and Merli Ridley recited, Oueenie Hanning and Ina Mackintosh sang solos, while Norman Brown rendered a flute solo. The committee is indebted to Air Robertson, Mrs Burton, and Miss Robertson, who journeyed from town in order to assist with the programme. A service was held in the Presbyterian Church. Portobello, on Sunday. The Rev. IT. IT. Barton, of Maori Hill, an ex-pupil of the school, whose father, now deceased, j filled the position of head master of the I Portobello School for over 23 years, officiated. He took as his text Dent., | chapter \ iii. verse 2, and delivered a Stirling and appropriate address to a weil- ( filled church. Noticeable amongst the congregation were a number who had come ] from a distance to be present at the fune- | tion.