CAMBRIDGE AND THE SUMMER SCHOOL

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 80

CAMBRIDGE AND THE SUMMER SCHOOL

By Anne Bellosy. (For the Witness. > Mr Duncan Rae’s idea of a summer school put forth at the teachers' classes held in February last year at the Kowliai Junior High School was a happy one, and happier still was the suggestion to locate it at Cambridge. This, as villages go in New Zealand, is a fairly large one with a population of 2000, while that of Leamington, a separate town district just across the river, in reality practically a suburb of Cambridge, is 700. The little town must be one of the most picturesque in the Dominion. To “summer schoolers,” intent on a good time as they played in its parks and wandered its shady streets, enjoying whole-heartedly the hospitality of its citizens, it seemed a little place where everyone was happy and kind; where, in every home there were comfort and plenty, and where quarrels were unknown. It is a pretty place. The Waikato between steep, fern-clad banks hurries by at the foot of the town, beneath a fine, high, level bridge with a single steel span. Toe main road to Rotorua from Auckland scarce a hundred miles away, passes through it. Hamilton, by road, is but 14 miles distant, and as one turns into Victoria street from the Hamilton road the loveliness of the place is revealed. There are trees everywhere, and at the top end of this street where the Presbyterian and Anglican churches face each other across the way the oaks r .»d planes meet overhead. "Passing the cnurches the visitor finds the park with sports’ ground on his right, the Town Hall and municipal offices on Lis left, the railway station immediately behind that. Facing him across the Jubilee Gardens, with the most pleasing war memorial I have seen, is the National Hotel. The whole is most compact. The main buildings show a pleasing similiarity of design and finish. Indeed, the greatest foresight on the part of the early managers is evident. The settlement of Cambridge dates back to 1864, when the land of the district was confiscated from the Maoris as some sort of compensation for expense incurred in the Maori War. The old name for it was Karapiro, which was also the name of a small nearby stream flowing into the Waikato. The Hon. Thomas Russel then commanded the troops stationed in this part, and he. because of some iancied resemblance of the stream to the Cam in England, re-named the place Cambridge. The Government offered to each of the disbanded troops 50 acres of suburban land and one town allotment of an acre. These soldiers were then the pioneers of the place. Many of these sections were abandoned, and are only just now being redeemed by the present occupiers, who by right of occupation and after paying the rates for a number of years are entitled to new titles in their names. For some time these settlers underwent much hardship and danger from the hostile Natives, but gradually the hostility died, and the people set themselves to the task of building a town. The Cambridge of to-day is the result. Nor is tlie present municipal body behind its forerunners in enterprise. Housed in a fine block of buildings, comprising a Town Hall seating 750 persons, a kitchen and dressing rooms, the Council Chamber and muncipal offices, its interests are somewhat extensive. It owns a very fine and commodious saleyards, the gas and water supplies, and the public baths, and has provided for the municipality a town band and a very fine library. I have mentioned trees of which they charm of the town. The Domain, only varieties growing in Cambridge. Thesfe, along the main streets, the pretty gardens, and the Domain, constitute the chief charm of the town. The Domain, or two minutes’ walk from the Towr. Hall, is a piece of land of some 60 acres, curiously gorged out, evidently by some old river. It is surrounded on three sides bv high sloping banks, some 50 or 60 feet above the natural lake, Te Koutu, lying deep down in its centre. Winding paths lead downward from all sides, and follow the water’s edge all around the lake. The level stretch of land running round the outer edge of this natural grandstand has been planted with ornamental trees, and is gay with beds of colour. The northeastern side of the terrace has been laid out in bowling and croquet greens and tennis courts. A more charming situation for these beneath huge pines, amid gorgeous flowers and with the lake deep below, cannot well be imagined. The Domain Board is a most active body, and in addition to the Domain has some 421 acres ’of town belt at present used for grazing purposes, as well as the sports’ ground, the show ground, and racecourse of 35 acres. Here one must not omit to mention the very live Arboreal Committee. They follow a definite plan of planting certain trees and areas every year. Mr Milburn, the town clerk, kindly gave me a couple of hours of his time one lovely morning, showing me round the town, and incidentally some of this committee’s work. I was delighted to find that it was not confining its efforts only to exotic trees, but that in n portion of land bordering the railway line a good selection of native trees had been planted last year. It is easy to understand then, that this prosperous (1650 tons of cheese and 508 tons of butter were sent away last year from the eight factories in the district) and lovely spot, with M&ungatautari mountain dominating the landscape, is already becoming known as a favourite winter resort. It is 228 feet above sealevel, and has an equable climate. A golf course of 18 holes is being much improved, and the headquarters of the Waikato Hunt Club are at Cambridge. At many places I saw the timbered jumps in the wire fences.

lii this delightful corner then it was decided to hold the summer school, and 189 students enrolled, though a number of these did not eventually attend. More than half of these elected to camp, the men in tents in the park, and the women in the school, while a common dining place was decided on in the Town Hall buildings. As was to be expected the largest number of students came from the North Island, tut it is interesting to note that most of the lecturers came from the south. The school was fortunate in having representatives of the department present in the persons of Dr Marsden, the assistant director for education, and Mr Longworth, the physical director (for the whole period), and Mr Caughlev, the director (for the last two days). The presence of these men much enhanced the value of the school, and did much to ensure its success for next year The students on their arrival in the morning were welcomed by the Mayor and citizens at breakfast, and taken to their camps. The serious work of the school began in the evening with a lecture bv Dr Marsden, and from that time till the ninth night, when the school closed with a lec ture by Mr Milner, the time was fully occupied. From nine in the morning till noon thero were three lectures of an hour each. The afternoons were devoted to recreation or the students followed their own devices, and the evenings again saw the hall crowded for lectures. These were thrown open to the public, and were of general interest. Dr Marsden in one explained a scheme of mental tests being undertaken by the department, and in another gave an interesting account ot Sir Ernest Rutherford’s life and work. Dr Buck’s lecture on anthropology and his talks on the Maori were listened to with enthralling interest. Dr Marshall’s several lectures on geology were always enjoyable, and he also conducted a jolly expedition up the Sanatorium Hill and another outing down the river. A launch was placed at the disposal of the visitors. Mr Milner on pacific problems was of vital interest. He also lectured on English liteature, and was particularly enjoyable in talks on Japan and Hawaii, both beautifully illustrated with coloured slides. Mr Varley Hudson’s lectures on singing m schools were useful, while the director on his recent trip to Samoa on matt .s concerned with administration in his department, was most amusing and enjoyable. Professor Shelley was unable to be at Cambridge for the whole of the period, but while there gave most generously ot his time, reading plays to interested students before the ordinary evening lectures, during lunch hours and early on the Sunday morning and afternoon. His reading of “The Atonement,” a play in which Ghandi figures, and which illustrates the problem of the British Government in India, as well as his reading ot Masefield's “Trial and Crucifixion ot Christ” on the Sunday evening is something not to be forgotten. His lecture on art was much enjoyed while all his talks were an inspiration to many. Altogether the time was much enjoyed. The very large majority were enthusiastic as to the value of the school, others, few in number, were not so sure. They had attended in order to do some intensive work under some of the eminent men who were present, and as things were found the lectures fa* too popular. Many found inspiration in meeting and talking with \ so many kindred spirits, while one lonely country teacher from Scotland, with whom 1 talked, was grat-Uu ; u.* 'ovti 1.: of meeting so many people. The whole matter was well thrashed out the morning before the school closed at a meeting at which Mr Caughley was present. The older men were in favour ol popular lectures, recreation, and enterment while most of the women and the younger men wanted something of a more ‘ meaty” nature. Committees were set up, Mr Milner being made president for the coming year. All were emphatic that the scheme inaugurated with such success this year should continue. Doubtless a programme that will suit the needs of all will be drawn up for next year. Many were anxious that the school should be again located at Cambridge; but it seems to me that with summer schools as with everything else it would be very risky to attempt to repeat an enjoyable thing. It is rarely that the joys of one year can be the pleasures of the next. I must give credit where credit is due. Mr Rae, whom I have already ’mentioned, and who was recently of Invercargill, was untiling in his efforts to make the school a success, as were also Messrs H. G. Stubbs and G. S H. Johnston, secretary and treasurer respectively. Mr Prichard ot the local school worked hard, and the smooth running of affairs locally was due almost wholly to him. The Mayor, Mr T. Ritchie, and the citizens have the thanks of every student. The Presbyterian and town halls were handed over for their use free of charge. The sports clubs threw open their grounds for play at any time. There was given free access to the municipal library and swimming baths, and in providing some 40 cars one of the most enjoyable days ot the whole period was given when all journeyed for a whole day’s trio to Hora Hora and Awapuni, but of this I must tell another time.

To make some slight return for all its hospitality the student* tendered a complimentary concert to the town. This proved most amusing and enjoyable, many skits in a good-natured way being hit oft at the lecturers and directors. Mrs Varlev Hudson at this concert staged Barrie’s play, “The Twelve Pound Look,* and on another evening “Rosalind,” Barrie’s also, was well acted by two of the students. The promoters have every reason to be pleased with the results ot their efforts, and no higher tribute can Bb paid to the little town than that which Professor Shelley paid when he said that if he were asked to choose the place for a university town in New Zealand, to follow the traditions of that one, his own, on the Cam in England, he would probably select Cambridge.