WAIRIO SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 21661, 24 March 1932, Page 8

WAIRIO SCHOOL

GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS BEGUN YESTERDAY AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING It is a far cry back to 1882 when the first school was opened at Wairio to cater for the educational needs of the district, but the hand of inexorable Time has crept round until fifty years have now elapsed since that forward step was taken. In the course of half a century the school has made remarkable progress, and the pupils who have passed through its doors have since occupied prominent positions in the outside world. That they realized their indebtedness to the old school for their subsequent success in after life was evident yesterday when ex-pupils from far and near assembled at Wairio to join in the fiftieth anniversary celebrations and at the same time to do honour to their alma mater.

To mark this important milestone an active committee has been busily engaged in making the necessary preparations for some time past. These were completed and a comprehensive programme drawn up to celebrate worthily the jubilee. It was therefore most unfortunate that’.after the recent fine spell the weather broke yesterday morning and heavy rain fell during the day. This, and other factors, had its effect upon the attendance, but there was nevertheless a good crowd at the school when the celebrations were commenced after lunch. Dampened only in clothing but not in enthusiasm, the happy-natured ex-pupils spent an enjoyable time amid familiar surroundings. As childhood pranks were recalled and old photographs pored over, eyes gleaned reminiscently during the course of the afternoon and the occasion was availed of freely to pay tributes to the valuable services of past’ and present teachers. The programme consisted of assembly at the school and the extending of the official welcome. The small school was insufficient to accommodate the crowd of approximately 200, but the difficulty was overcome by the males chivalrously standing outside in the rain and listening to the indoor proceedings through open windows. Addresses were given by past teachers and pupils and the rolls called, after which afternoon tea was served and the huge jubilee cake cut into pieces and distributed. Much to the disappointment of those attending, weather conditions prevented the taking of photographs, but should there be an improvement to-day, a further attempt will be made to secure pictorial records of the memorable occasion. In the evening an old-timers’ ball proved a popular attraction. The programme for to-day consists of excursions in the morning to coalfields in the district. In the afternoon a combined sports and picnic is to be held and a young people's dance in the evening will bring the celebrations to a close. In Retrospect. The history of the school, compiled from a few available records, makes interesting reading. On April 25, 1881, an inaugural meeting of the householders, convened by Mr John Beck, senior, was held in Mrs Mackintosh’s residence, “Glenroy,”. with the object of stressing the necessity of, and discussing the possibility of, having a school in the Wairio district. On August 1, 1881, a meeting of householders was held in the residence of Mr Joseph Beck, senior, “Heartwood,” for the purpose of selecting a school site, defining the boundaries and appointing a committee. The following were elected a committee: Messrs John Beck (chairman), Ballanger (secretary), John Forde, David Dixon and Joseph Beck. On August 5, 1881, the first meeting of the committee was held in the residence of Mr Joseph Beck. _ On September 20, 1881, another meeting of the committee was held there to further the progress of the school. On June 25, 1882, the Rev. Robert Ewen preached the first sermon in the Wairio School. On June 29, 1882, a meeting of the committee was held to select a teacher, Mr Thomas Warnock being selected. On August 14, 1882, the school opened with an attendance of 31 and in October of the same year the official opening took place. In April, 1928, a new building to replace the one in use since the establishment of the | school in 1882 was opened by the then chairman of the Southland Education Board (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle). The present school, which has been erected on the site previously occupied by tho old building, is a wooden structure of substantial type containing two class-rooms each of 21£t 6in by 20ft with a total accommodation for 78 pupils. The classrooms face the north, a corridor and teachers’ office being situated on the south side of the building. The new school was erected by the Education Board’s staff at a cost of £BSO and was available for occupation since the beginning of the school term in 1928 In 1887 the attendance was 53, in 1897 91, in 1907 39, in 1917 45, in 1927

51 and this year the school opened with a roll of 62. The members of the present school committee are as follows: Messrs J. Nisbet (chairman), C. Everett (secretary and treasurer), J. Pope, B. Dickson and J. Dodds. Teachers, Past and Present. The following is a list of the teachers who have taught at the school since its establishment:—Mr T. Warnock (first teacher), October, 1882 to July, 1885; Mr William Macalister, February, 1885—January, 1889; Mr Hoddinott (head teacher), February, 1889—February, 1896; Miss Baldy (assistant), July, 1892 —October, 1895; Mr Heathcote (head teacher), February, 1896—November, 1898; Miss C. McDonald (assistant), May, 1896—October, 1902; Mr A. E. Featherstone (head teacher), February, 1899—August, 1902; Miss McDonald (promoted to head teacher), Octover, 1902—January, 1911; Miss Popham (assistant), January, 1904—January, 1905; Miss McArthur (assistant), February, 1906 —December, 1906; Miss Smith (head February, 1911 —August, 1911; Mr Cowie .(head teacher), August, 1911 — May, 1914; Mr E. McKay (head teacher), killed in the Great War, August, 1914— February, 1917; Miss Gallagher (assistant), September, 1914 —September, 1924; Mr Burt (head teacher), April, 1917—October, 1917; Mr T. Gilfedder (head teacher), October, 1917 —March, 1919; Miss Hanning (head teacher), March, 1919 —March, 1923; Mr R. Moir (head teacher), April, 1923 — March, 1925; Mrs J. Ford (formerly Miss McDonald), assistant, February, 1925— February, 1931; Miss Constance Miller (assistant), March, 1931 to present; Mr H. Laytham (head teacher), April, 1925, still holds position.

The following ex-pupils signed the rolls yesterday:—During Mr Warnock’s time: Annie Robertson (Mrs C. Payne, Centre Bush) ; Isabella Beck (Mrs William Ayton, Aparima) ; Jane Beck (Mrs John Keen, Aparima) ; Mary’ Beck (Mr's x P. Beggs, Otautau) ; Janet Beck (Mrs Joseph Beck, Woodlaw); James Robertson; Donald Robertson, Duncan McKenzie; Robert Kirkpatrick; William Mclntosh; Joseph T. Beck. During Mr Macalister’s time: Lizzie McDonald (Mrs Henry Garden, Orepuki) ; Margaret McKenzie (Mrs R. Donnelly, Wairio) ; Jessie Kirkpatrick; Mary Keen (Mrs A. Cuthbertson, Wairio) ; Mary Clifford (Mrs D. T. Muir, Waikouro) ; Minnie Dickson (Mrs M. Hawthorn, Wairio) ; Robert Dickson; James Taylor; Charles Keen; Duncan McDonald. During Mr Hoddinott’s time: Susan McDonald (Mrs W. G. Glendinning, Tuatapcre) ; Grace Beck (Mrs Taylor, Timaru; ; Margaret Ayton (Mrs J. A. Dodds, Wairio) ; Eliza Dickson (Mrs S. Ward, Wairio),; Maggie Robson (Mrs Richard James, Invercargill); Eliza Robson; Mary Jane Robson (Mrs Dale, Invercargill); Joy Gray (Mrs Farmer, Ohai) ; Kate Fitzsimmons (Mrs M. J. Forde, Invercargill); James Dodds; Walker Forde; John O’Brien; Ben Dickson; John Ayton; Thomas Forde; Alex Kirkpatrick. During Mr Heathcote’s time: Thorn Taylor (Mrs R. Affleck, Otautau) ; Katie Flynn (Mrs M. Boyle, Gladfield) ; Jean Ayson (Mrs G. Shedden, Ryal Bush) ; John Alex Beck; Francis Strudwicke; James Hall; William Robertson; Thomas Egan; Martin Forde.

During Mr Featherstone’s time: Ethel Collins (Mrs J. Irving, Invercargill) ; Violet Beck; Norma Featherstone (Mrs Wright, Invercargill) ; Mary Fitzsimmons (Mrs W. Bonisch, Wairio) ; Delia O’Brien; Maggie Shedden (Mrs P. G. Dahlenburg, Waikouro) ; Annie Keen (Mrs G. Ferguson, Wairio); Alice Keen (Mrs W. Crawford, Wairio) ; Louisa Keen (Mrs J. Spowart, Wairio); Martin O’Brien; Robert Ronald; James Egan. During Miss McDonald’s time: Clarice Collins (Mrs G. Dale, Invercargill) ; Mabel Beck (Mrs Gardiner, Invercargill) ; Janet Keen (Mrs E. J. Dickson, Woodlaw): Annie Ronald (Mrs A. McCorkindale, Opio) ; Mary Ayton; Jean Hawthorne (Mrs Beal, Canterbury) ; Margaret Hawthorne (Mrs 'Winter, Canterbury); Jean Walker; James Harry Beck; Stanley Beck; John Keen; John Ronald; Thomas Robertson; Nathaniel Bates; John Crecgan. Darring Mr Cowie’s time: Ethel Beck (Mrs J. A. Flynn, Woodlaw); Ina Beggs; Jean Ronald (Mrs S. Macdonald, Beaumont) ; Ethel Ellis (Mrs E. Mackie, Riverton) ; Gladys Ellis (Mrs W. Porter, Invercargill) ; Archie Ferguson; Pat Creegan. During Mr McKay’s time: Maisie Beggs; Alice Bain; Mavis Bain; Gilbert Niven; James Nelson; Robert Bates; James Ellis; E. Pope. During Miss Hanning's time: Alicia Hanning; Elizabeth Hanning; Ivy Keen; Greta Forde; Hilda Forde, Molly Pope; Donald Forde; Archie Forde; Fred Keen; Lyall I Genge; Alwyne Genge; Albert Crawford; John Forde; Maurice Hanning. During Mr Moir’s time: Chrissie Roland; Francis Roland; Lsobel Kirkpatrick. During Mr Laytham’s time: Ada Jenkins; Mary Dodds; Edna Everett; Mavis Everett; Theresa Dunne; Alice Brown; Graham Nisbet; James Munro. The Official Welcome. In extending a welcome to those present Mr J. Nisbet, chairman of the School Committee, expressed regret that the adverse weather conditions prevented the function from being held out-of-doors. In referring to the object of the gathering, Mr Nisbet said that the Wairio School had opened to receive pupils in August, 1882/’ and the official opening ceremony had taken place in-October of that year. The actual celebration of the jubilee was not taking place in either of those months this year but at Easter, which was considered to be a more convenient period. Mr Nisbet went on to express thanks to all who had spontaneously assisted the cause, mentioning in particular the Ohai Railway Board, the Wairio Jockey Club and Mr W. Macalister. Mr Nisbet said that although he was not himself an ex-pupil of the school, he had a long association with the Western District and had been connected for many years with the Wairio School. He said the committee had done its best to secure ground improvements, but this policy of course was regulated by the amount of finance available. After conveying greetings to all ex-pupils, present and absent, the speaker called on the assembly to honour the memory of those who had passed away. This was done by those present standing in silence for some moments. Amongst the apologies for absence received were goodwill messages from the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Mr William Macalister and Mr T. S. Hoddinott. The lastmentioned, who is a former teacher now resident in Dunedin, forwarded a lengthy letter in which he described his affection for the school and recounted humorous incidents connected with his stay at Wairio. It was read out by the present head teacher (Mr H. Laytham) and listened to with the keenest interest by those present. .Warm approval was expressed of the sentiments contained in it. Former Teacher's Address. ’ Mr A. E. Featherstone, of Invercargill, a former teacher at Wairio, the next speaker, was accorded an attentive hearing. He returned thanks for the welcome extended by Mr Nisbet and congratulated the school on attaining its jubilee. In Southland at the present time school jubilees were common occurrences but, he reminded his hearers, the common things in life were those'usually most cherished. He was quite sure that the reunion of Wairio ex-pupils that day would be attended by the most happy memories. It was a delight for him to be present among so many of his boys and girls. They were still “boys and girls.” Conversing with them he had been assured by his former charges that they bore him no ill-feeling. (Laughter.) Continuing, he said that there was always a note of sorrow in a jubilee because people could never meet without noticing the absence of those who were either far from the scene or else had passed away. He was glad that the gathering had honoured the memory of the dead in the way it had. Mr Featherstone provoked laughter when he jocularly referred to the failure of a number of his former girl pupils to enter into wedded bliss. In mure serious vein,

he said he was glad to see present an old comrade in Mrs Ford who, as Miss McDonald, had been assistant during his term at the school. Right well had she fulfilled her duties of teacher, (hear, hear) and site had been the most loyal assistant it had been his privilege to have. Wairio owed a lot to Mrs Ford for what she had done for the district. In the course of preparing for the Waianiwa School jubilee next year, Mr Featherstone said he had been disappointed to discover that a large number of ex-pupils'had only the haziest memories about their old teachers. This had wounded him and he expressed the hope that the memories of those present of their teachers would always be full of respect. After sa y _ ing that he would always look back on his three and a-half years at M airio with very happy memories, Mr Featherstone concluded by wishing the present jubilee celebrations every success, valuable as they were in cementing old friendships. Miss Hanning addressed the gathering, describing how keenly she had looked forward to the event. Mr Laytham said it gave him great pleasure to meet the ex-teachers at Wairio, possessing as they did so honourable a record. It was of so high a standard that he was having a hard row to hoe to maintain it. Ex-pupils could well thank the past teachers for what they had done in their interests. Usually it was only after they had left school and embarked upon their careers that they realized the full nature of this obligation. Education Board Represented. Representing the Southland Education Board, Mr F. G. Stevenson apologized for the absence through indisposition of the chairman (Mr J. C. Thomson). After returning thanks for the welcome, Mr Stevenson said that when one remembered the class of " , st teachers, one could realize why Wairio occupied so prominent a place in the education world. The school had turned out many promising pupils destined to make their mark in the outside world. Reviewing its history, Mr Stevenson said that the contract price for the old school building had been £295 and that for the present edifice £741 12/-. “The first teacher received the princely salary of £lO 8/4 a month,” remarked the speaker, “quite a difference from that of to-day.” ' Mr J. Campbell also spoke on behalf of the board. He assured district residents that any reasonable request for assistance in connection with the school would be met if the board could possibly do so. Mr Campbell told the children that they were fortunate in being able to attend the jubilee of their school. He himself had studied at many schools, but for various reasons had been unable to attend their jubilees when they were celebrated. While afternoon tea was in the course of being served Mr Nisbet called for reminiscences from some of the older expupils. Mr Duncan McKenzie, of Invercargill, one of the first pupils at Wairio, entertained the gathering with an account of conditions in the early days, describing the difficulties of travel and farming. The people of to-day did not know what hardship was, he declared, and if they persevered they would soon emerge from the depression. The next speaker, Mr Duncan McDonald, of Dipton, spoke in similar vein and paid a tribute to the farmers of the district on the fine appearance of their land. Mr M. O’Brien, of Otautau, expressed pleasure at being present amid old faces. Recalling how the children of the past used to walk many miles to school, he claimed that they earned their education in fulL He paid a tribute to the work of the parents in the interests of the Waino School. Referring to the Southland Education Board he said its members were very worthy gentlemen and it would be a pity if, in the Government economies now pending, control should be taken from their hands. Mr Donald Robertson, of Wairio, also spoke. The handsome two-tiered jubilee cake, surmounted with its fifty candles, was then cut, amid cheers, by Mesdames C. Payne and John Keen and pieces were distributed among the gathering. The old timers’ ball in Gardiner’s Hall last evening was w’ell attended and proved a popular feature of the celebrations. Messrs M. Forde and J. Finn acted -as M.C.’s and music was supplied by Barnfieid’s orchestra. ,