FERNHILLS SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 22233, 26 January 1934, Page 3

FERNHILLS SCHOOL

JUBILEE BANQUET. CELEBRATIONS CONCLUDE. The main function of the jubilee programme of the Fernhills School was the banquet held in the Pukearuhe Hall on Wednesday night when a very large attendance of ex-teachers, ex-pupils and friends was present. The proceedings throughout were of a most cordial nature and in every way the evening was marked by success. After the loyal toast had been duly honoured the chairman, Mr L. Payne, welcomed the numerous visitors who had returned to the haunts of their childhood, from as far north as Auckland and from many other distant parts of the Dominion. The first toast “The School” was proposed by a very early headmaster in the person of Mr J. S. McGrath, who is well-known to all pupils and expupils of the Southland Boys’ High School. Mr McGrath, in his usual breezy manner, spoke of his sojourn in the district and of his period as headmaster. In his day the land was almost in its native state, the adjoining district of Boggy Bum being at that time well worthy of the name, he said. At present, however to give the district a name descriptive of its prosperous and pleasing appearance, he considered that “Paradise” would be more suitable. The response in the hands of Mr Duncan McDonald, of Dipton, one of the earliest pupils was reminiscent of the early days. Before proposing the toast “Past and Present Teachers,” on the request of Mr J. W. Murphy the gathering stood in silence as a tribute to the memory of two deceased teachers, Miss Florence Shand and Mr James McMillan, both of whom had passed away since the arrangements for the jubilee had been in progress. Mr Murphy then paid a glowing tribute to the patience, perseverance and tact of the teachers who had moulded the character of the pupils—those who attended the school in its original position on the Fernhills and attended the school in its present position. This was replied to by Mr J. W. Lopdell, at present headmaster’ of the Bluff School and Mr A. G. Linn, of George Street School, Dunedin, who spoke of the happy days they had spent teaching in the school. The teachers had always had the support of the enthusiastic school committees and the parents and though few of the pupils had entered public life, yet they were efficient farmers and splendid citizens. “Ex-pupils” was the next toast and this was proposed by Mr J. W. Lopdell who spoke highly of the type of children who had passed through the school. The response, in the hands of Messrs J. Falska, W. King and J. Payne, gave the speakers the opportunity of recounting incidents of their school days. The “Old Identities” were honoured in the toast proposed by Mr R. J. Anderson, who delighted the pioneers with a survey of the district and its residents in the very early days. Messrs Len Cross (Orepuki), J. D. Shand (Invercargill) and R. Ferguson (Canterbury) responded, supplementing the reminiscent remarks of the proposer. The school committees—important bodies in the management of every school, had in the past, and indeed, at all times, taken a keen interest in beautifying the environs of the school. They were eulogized in a fitting manner in the toast “Past and Present Committeemen,” proposed by Mr William Macalister, senior. In responding, Mr M. Murphy, who was incidentally the only living member of the first school committee, spoke of the youths and maidens who had, in the early life of the school, been mustered from the hills to form the nucleus of the old school they knew so well. Messrs A. McKenzie and R. J. Anderson, the latter of whom had served faithfully as chairman for 20 years, spoke of more recent times, particularly those embracing the life of the school at its present site. The “Southland Education Board” was proposed by Mrs W. Woods, a former teacher, who outlined the important share in educational progress, taken by this body. In the absence of the chairman, Mr S. Rise, Messrs P. A. de la Perrelle and J. Campbell responded, both expressing regret for the enforced economy in educational finance during the present time. The “Parliament of N.Z.” was proposed by Dr. P. Gow, who, in his usual happy style, pointed out that taxation might have been more equitably distributed during prosperous times, thus allowing a smaller surplus for luxurious living. This would have done much to alleviate the burden of recent times. Mr P. A. de la Perrelle, M.P., responded. The remaining toasts were “Farming and Pastoral” (proposed by the Rev. W. J. Robertson and responded to by Messrs M. Kean and W. J. Cowie) and “Ex-Soldiers” (Mr F. Lokan—Messrs C. Payne, P. J. Rabbitte and J. W. Macalister). ' Yesterday’s Programme.

The celebrations were concluded yesterday with a picnic in the afternoon and a grand ball in the evening. Favoured by bright sunshine, the picnic proved highly enjoyable, and the committee, headed by Mr L. Payne and the secretary, Mr M. Rabbitte, were congratulated on its great success. The following are the results of the various sports events: Boys races, 5 to 8: Colin Payne 1, Maurice Ward 2, Owen Rizzi 3. Under 8: Owen Rizzi 1, Arthur McKenzie 2, Alex Bolger 3. Under 10: Leslie Ward 1, Hugh Winter 2, R. Braithwait 3. Under 12: Donald Holden 1, Allan Hazlett 2. Tom McFetrich 3. Under 14: B. Hazlett 1, R. Hubber 2, J. Payne 3. 9 to 14: Derrick Pears 1, Bryan Pears 2, Owen Rizzi 3. 14 to 17: L. Cowie 1, H. Payne 2, C. Calder 3. Girls 5 to 8: Hilary Pears 1, Winnie Rabbitte 2, Emma Anderson 3. Under 8: Eliza Thomson 1, Bearnidette Langford 2, Winnie Rabbitte 3. Under 10: Molly Thomson 1, Ngaire Macalister 2, Mary Wilson 3. Under 14: Margaret Grimwood 1, Margaret Hammond 2, Doreen Thomson 3. Under 14: Maureen Rabbitte 1, Marjorie Meffin 2, Dulcie White 3. 9 to 14: Mary Stewart 1, Lois McFetrich 2, Faith Pears 3. Decade races (Men), First: C. Gerrard 1, G. Murphy 2. Second: A. Cox 1, J. R. Anderson 2. Third: E. Cox 1, J. Swale 2. Fourth: G. Rizzi 1, A. McFetrich 2. Fifth: J. Ward 1, L. Braithwaite 2. Ladies, First, Miss Murphy 1, Mrs McDougall 2. Second: Mrs Harvey 1, Mrs Gordon 2. Third: Mrs Langford 1, Miss M. Anderson 2. Fourth: Miss E. McGillivary 1, Miss M. Casey 2. Fifth: Miss D. Wilson 1, Miss McHugh 2. Ladies: Miss D. Wilson 1, Miss F. Payne 2. Young men’s: R. Thomson 1, R. Ward 2. Ex-School Committee: T. McFetrich I, W. Rabbitte 2. Married ladies under 40: Mrs Kean 1, Mrs R. Butts 2. Married ladies over 40: Mrs Pears 1, Mrs Harvey 2. Married men under 40: A. Calder 1, W. Cahill 2. Married men over 40: J. R. Anderson 1, G. Murphy 2. Jubilee Committee, Ladies: Miss M.

McFetrich 1, Miss V. Gordon 2. Jubilee Committee, Men: J. W. Murphy 1, W. McFetrich 2. Couples’ Race: A. McFetrich and Miss B. Swale 1. Couples race: P. J. Rabbitte and Miss M. Baird 1, L. Cowie and Miss A. McFetrich 2. Dancers’ Race: Molly Thomson 1, Margaret Kirkwood 2. Dancing. Highland Fling, 8 years and under: Bearnedette Langford 1, Heather Clark 2, Audrey Moylan 3. Highland Fling, open: Joyce Tinker 1, Mary Hamilton 2, Molly Thomson 3. Seann Triubhais under 12 years: Mona Campbell 1, Joyce Tinker 2, Molly Thomson 3. Sword Dance, under 8 years: Audrey Moylan 1, Jessie Morton 2, Bearnedette Langford 3. Seann Triubhais, open: Mary Hamilton 1, Joyce Tinker 2, Mona Campbell 3. Irish Jig, 10 years and under: Joyce Tinker 1, Molly Thomson 2, Maureen Lindsay 3. Irish Jig, open: Joyce Tinker 1, Mary Hamilton 2, Maureen Lindsay 3. Sword Dance, consolation: Maureen Lindsay 1, Emma Anderson 2, Margaret Kirkwood 3.