WAIANIWA SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 21730, 16 June 1932, Page 6

WAIANIWA SCHOOL

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS. COMMITTEE’S PREPARATIONS. The June meeting of the executive committee in charge of the 70th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Waianiwa School was held in the school on Tuesday evening. Interesting reminiscences were read by past pupils and messages of goodwill received from Mr James Hendry, exinspector of schools, and the Rev. James H. McKenzie, at one time minister of the Wallacetown parish. These will be embodied in the pamphlet it is proposed to publish. It was announced that the compilation of the roll was proceeding well, though there are gaps in the period 1863-80, and it is hoped that all old pupils will help to supply missing names and addresses. The finances are in a healthy condition. It is proposed to add to the photographic exhibition of ex-pupils a section representing the early pioneers of the district, and those possessing such, whether of individuals or of groups, are asked to lend these for the occasion. A number of octogenarian pioneers whose children were pupils of the school were duly elected to honorary membership, and all ex-head teachers still living are to be similarly honoured. In the honorary membership list is also included a young man of three summers who represents the sixth generation in direct descent from one of the earliest pioneers.

The main business of the meeting was to draw up a programme of events and to fix the dates for the great event. It was decided that the events shall cover three days—Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 3, 4 and 5, 1933. The assembly, welcomes, roll-call, and photographing will take place on Friday morning, the dinner at midday, the first day ending with a ball in the evening. On Saturday a district picnic is to be held at “Cockpen” comer where the old school stood for so many years. On Saturday evening an oldtime concert will be held, ex-pupils contributing many of the items, and community singing finding a suitable place on the programme. The concluding function will be an open-air thanksgiving service at which the Rev. John Lopdell, of Wellington, an expupil, is to be asked to preside and deliver an address. One part of this service will be a pilgrimage to the Waianiwa war memorial at the school, where brave lads will be fittingly remembered. The registrar was authorized to draw up 'and send a circular to all old pupils announcing arrangements, and inviting their co-operation and membership. A billeting committee was appointed to prepare suitable arrangements for the housing of friends coming from a distance, and at the next meeting to be held on August 16 other committees will be set up in connection with the various events. The utmost enthusiasm is evinced by all attending these periodical meetings, and this augurs well for the final success in February. The chairman, Mr William Grieve, voiced the thanks of all to those ladies and gentlemen who provide supper at each meeting of the executive.