New School at Avele.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 24, Issue 25, 20 June 1924, Page 3

New School at Avele.

OFFICIALLY OPENED. The official opening of the Agricultural School at Avele, on Thursday, June 12th, proved a most interesting function in itself, and additional interest was afforded by the picturesque surroundings. The arrival of His Kxcellency the Administrator, Gen. Richardson and suite was signalized by the playing of the National Anthem by the Band of the Malifa School. After the kava ceremony of welcome had been performed His Excellency addressed the assembled schools, explaining the aim and object <>i' the school now being opened, lie referred in appreciative terms to the work done formerly and in the present by the mission schools. Ju future the children would receive instruction in the village .schools till they reached the age of 14 or 15 years, then the best of them would be sent to Avele, and later on the best from Avele would go on to Malifa or Vaipouli. He emphasised the great necessity of work and Urged them to try to elevate their people and make Samoa prosperous ; but to remain Sainoan. They should be proud ot their race and country and not make the mistake of trying to imitate the papalagi and of despising then own people. He would always feel a special interest in the Avele School a.s it was practically at Vadium, and heasked ti:e Paipules and other Samoans also to take a .special interest in it and give the assistance it needed in the early stages. He thanked and complimented the boys of this school for their work during the last few weeks ; very few boys could have worked harder in clearing the bush and making tiie malae. In working hard they had followed the example set by Mr. Rutherford and their teachers. He was glad to .see the boys from Vaipouli School with their teachei. Mr. Foster, and told them he would pay their school a visit in alxjui two mouths' time. He wished the school success and the boys success in after life and again urged them to work hard at school for the benefit of themselves and their country. His Excellency then called upon Mrs. Richardson to open the school. The school being a fale had no door to he unlocked but bands of green and orauge ribbon had been stretched between its posts, and in place of the key usual on such occasions Mrs. Richardson was handed a pair of ribbon-bedecked scissors with which to cut the hands. This she did, and in a neat little speech declared the school open and wished it much success. Aiono, representing the Faiptiles delivered a speech which met with approval from his hearurs. The dedicatory song, Samoan words set to the music of the "Gloria" from Mo/art's Twelfth Mass, was exceedingly well sung by the buys of the Vaipouli School. After this the dedicatory prayer was said in Samoan by Moli, F.T.S., Papauta, Pupils of Mulifa and Lauuiua schools gave much pleasure by their tuneful singing of songs in English. Then came a plenteous Samoan least followed by sivas by pupils from Vaipouli) Malifa and Avele schools, all of which were given with great spirit and to the enjoyment of both performers and onlookers. There was a large and representative gathering at the function, l)oth of whites and natives, and the teaching staffs of the various schools mustered in full force. The new Sclfool is to be conducted by Mr, Williams.