AOHANGA NATIVE SCHOOL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 14990, 10 March 1942, Page 4

AOHANGA NATIVE SCHOOL.

LATEST OPEN-AIR TYPE

OFFICIAL OPEN! XG

(Own Correspondent;. There was a large gathering of parents and friends xor the opening of th e Aohauga Native school by the Hon. Mr Mason, Minister of Education, on Friday afternoon. The school, which is of the latest open-air type, is a credit to its V builder, M r - A Br.insden. The opening of this school fills a Icng-Jefer- • red want in this part of the county, and th© efforts of the Education and INative Departments are much appreciated by the residents. Mr C. Whitmore, chairman of the School Committee, welcomed the Ministerial party, which consisted of HOll Mr Mason and Mrs Mason, Mr J Robertson, M.P.. Mr Jones, tb.e Minister s Secretary, Mr Of the Education Department’ and Mr King, deputy Native Trustee Items comprising Maori action songs, games, and hakas were much appreciated by the visitors, and reflected great credit on the teacher, Miss McGregor, who during the short time she has been in charge, has literally worked wonders with her pupils, both Maori and pakeha. Speeches of welcome to the Minister and his party wer e given in Maori by Mrs Pan e Power, the oldest member of the Maori race at Aohanga, and Mr W. T. Rautu. Mr Jones acting as interpreter. Master Dick Power, again iti Maori, spoke of the appreciation of the pupils i n being provided with such a fine school. Mr S. King, deputy Native Trustee, spoke of the splendid co-opera-tion between liis own and the Education Department in the establisning of this school, wiier© he hoped that the traditions and art of tbe Maori could be fostered in tli e new generation-,, making tiie point, not generally realised, that the two races, Maori and pakeha. were sprung from th© same Aryan race. Mr J Robertson, M.P. for the district, alluded to the many difficulties which were surmounted before construction could be commenced and traced the endea VO Ul*s 01 the settlers to establish a school at the station, sine© 1906. The Minister, who was received v ith acclamation, expressed his pleasure at being present to perform the opening ceremony. He regretted that, owing to a previous engagement Sir Apirana Ngata was not accompanying him, but read a telegram from Sir Apirana wishing t]i e school every success. The Minister then spoke of the great advancement which had taken place 111 all phases of native education. He stressed the need for the preservation of every form of Maori art and culture, and hoped that the pupils of the Aolianga school would maintain and uphold the tra<litions of their ancestors. The Minister then declared the school officially open, and the visitors were then privileged to inspect the building At the conclusion of the ceremony Mr C. Whitmore, the manager of file station, invited all present to adjourn to the station where a dinner had been prepared, .nc ii interest being taken in the opening of the hangi when the air was tiled with sundry appetising odours. A dance in the evening, when the music was provided by Mr H. Power and Mrs Ljwig. brought to a conclusion a particularly pleasant. and memorable day. ■ S^ n - to Aolianga the Ministenal party visited the Pongaroa ‘ enool where they were welcomed by i, E- Johnston, chairman of the Pongaroa, School Committee The HOll. Mr Mason, who was introducc ‘ d tlio pupils bv the bead tenoher, Mr F. H. Maynian. addressed the pupils and proved highly t-»pu-lar when he suggested the customary holiday following a ministerial visit.