DIAMOND JUBILEE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3831, 9 November 1936, Page 5

DIAMOND JUBILEE

pAterangi school celebrations. GREAT GATHERING OF OLD PUPILS. Friday last was a real “red letter day” for Paterano-i, for it was the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the district school, which had been established as far back as January 17th, 1876 nearly sixty-one years ago. The jubilee was to have been held earlier this year, but special circumstances (including the lamented death of Mrs W. G. Macky) entailed a postponement. Glorious weather 7 prevailed on Friday, and the attendance of about 600 to 700 people from all parts of the Waikato, and even further afield, was a tribute to the organising ability of the special committee in charge of the function, and also to the former residents’ abiding love for Paterangi. A big programme of interest and amusement had been planned, and the weather proving decidedly propitious, the ceremonies were held in the school grounds. A children’s sports meeting was held during the morning, and then commemorative trees were planted, Mr W. G. Macky, the oldest pupil still resident in the district, sponsoring a rimu, and Mr J. J. Ryburn, another old pupil now resident only a faw miles away, planted a totara. Thgse two native trees will be under the care of successive school children, charged with the obligation of tending them faithfully as reminders of a very important occasion in the life of the school. As the day advanced, more and more old pupils arrived, and the scene was a very animated and interesting one, as old associates met and recalled happy memories of their youth. Among visitors of note present were the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, and four members of the Auckland Board of Education Messrs J. Primrose (Hamilton), C. R. Munro (Auckland), A. N. Macky (Cambridge) and W. I. Bowyer (Otorohanga); Messrs G. Spinley (Mayor of Te Awamutu), D. Stewart Reid, ex-M.P. for Raglan and an old pupil; Wm. Goodfellow (Auckland), an old pupil; and a host of other former pupils who had come from far and near. Opportunity was taken to secure group photos of the oldest pupils, and also a composite photo of the assemblage. A party of nresent-day girl scholars gave a fine exhibition of folk dancing, and after light luncheon had been served the main event of the day’s programme—the roll call of old scholars —took place. Mr S. C. Macky, present chairman of the School Committee, accorded a very cordial welcome to the assemblage, and briefly traversed the organising preparations, paying a special tribute to the present headmaster, Mr N. F. Oram, for setting such a splendid lead to the executive, delving deep into old records for a concise history, and generally spurring everybody on to achieve success for the jubilee. ■ Mr Macky said the gathering that day was to be a very informal one, and everyone was accorded “the Freedom of Paterangi” for the day. Then he called unon Mr C. S. McCallum, as the oldest identity in the district, to hoist the flag. Mr and Mrs McCallum were the oldest settlers still surviving, and he recalled the way -they were honoured on the occasion, a few years ago, of their diamond jubilee celebrations. Mr Macky went on to call attention to the school flag, which was used on the occasion of the celebrations connected with the coronations of King Edward VII and King George V., besides many other public occasions in which the scholars were connected. The old flag, tattered and torn, would be treasured, by present and future pupils, and a new flag would be used from henceforth. After cheers had been lustily accorded Mr and Mrs McCallum, their youngest grandson presented Mr McCallum with a rosette in honour of the occasion. • The National Anthem was sung, and the school roll call was held, Mr Oram explaining first that maybe some names were missing, but it was hoped, as a result of the function that day, to complete the roll. The roll commenced with the pupils of 1876, and as each one present answered his or her name hearty applause was given. The first girl pupil to answer was Sarah Jane Smith, and to her the youngest pre-sent-day pupil presented a beautiful bouquet. When Mr W. G. Macky stood up to receive a rosette from his youngest grandson pupil, it was mentioned that the youngest is the grandson of two of the earliest pupils and a great grandson of the founder of the school, the late Mr W. Scott. The 1882 roll included some notables in public life, including Messrs D. Stewart Reid, ex-M.P. for Raglan; Colin Munro, member of the Auckland Board of Education; and S. C. Macky, chairman of the Waipa County Council. The roll of teachers was then read by Mr A. Benton, a former headmaster now at Roto-o-rangi. The roll of past School Committee chairman was read by Mr S. C Macky, and several of them were present. Rev. D. C. Mclntyre was called upon to read the school’s roll of honour, with 17 names of pupils who served in the Great War. Five of them made the supreme sacrifice. Hon. W. Lee Martin was accorded a hearty welcome as representing the Government. He first apologised for the unavoidable absence of his colleague, the Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Education, who forwarded hearty good wishes for the school’s future. Another apology was from the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, who had married a former pupil of the school, Miss Alice Fox. (Applause.) Mr Lee Martin briefly traversed the development of the district in the past sixty years, and the “mighty good job” made of their tasks by the past school teachers. Many of the Paterangi’s former pupils had made their mark in the nation’s affai's and he named Messrs S. C. Macky, D. S. Reid, W. Goodfellow, Colin Munro, as examples to present-day pupils. Continuing, Mr Lee Martin said he sometimes wondered if present-day education was anv better, or more rightly directed, than that of the early days. The Minister concluded with congratulations to the organisers of the

jubilee and good wishes for the future of the district and school. Mr W. I. Bowyer, of Otorohanga, as a member of the Auckland Board of Education, was the next speaker, and he referred to the unqualified success of the Paterangi jubilee, and the smiling pasture land of the district. An especially hearty welcome was accorded Miss Bright, a teacher at the school from September 1903 to June 1907, when she was called upon for a brief address. She recounted incidents connected with the school during her term in charge and the years before and since, especially referring to the influence of Mrs Agnes Bates, who for 20 years presided over the destinies of the school. Mrs Bates had been a big factor in the educational life of Paterangi, and neighbourhood, and her work was invaluable. Reference was made to the historic associations of the district, and her regret that so many historic relics had not been preserved for the benefit of future generations. Paterangi was practically on the earliest high road of the Maoris from Auckland to Taranaki and the south, and therefore it had always been a place of importance. Mr James Cowan, the well-known historian, had recorded some of Paterangi’s most noteworthy events in pre-Maori War days, but she was confident many matters of interest remain untold and unrecorded. Mrs Bates, who was introduced as “the teacher with the longest term of service,” was accorded a rousing reception. Mr D. Stewart Reid, a former pupil, congratulated the present-day settlers upon their enterprise in pro motmg the diamond jubilee celebrations. They had given very great pleasure to scores of former pupils, and incidents would be recalled for a long time yet. Events of half-a-cen-tury ago and niore were perhaps not viewed as important at times, but now in retrospect they assume great importance. The pioneers were upright, staunch God-fearing folk, and their descendants are worthily upholding the traditions of their forebears. Afternoon tea was served on the tennis courts, and a feature of this part of the occasion was the cutting of the beautiful jubilee cake by Mrs Bates, after the sixty candles on it had been lighted by Miss Scott (a daughter of the founder of the school) and extinguished by past and present pupil teachers. Mr Colin Munro, of Auckland, was called upon to address the gathering, and he was accorded rounds of applause on rising to speak. He said he was a pupil in the days when Mrs La Trobe was in charge of the Paterangi School, and one of the few boys of the school who entered the teaching profession. He was very proud, as a Paterangi product, ox the fact that at 32 years of age he was in charge of the important Remuera School, holding the headmastership for fourteen years, and then being appointed an inspector. Now he serves on the Board of Education. Recollections of his school days included the forceful methods of the teachers in those days, and he paid a warm tribute to the influence of his aunt, Miss Munro, who still survives at Te Rore. Paterangi was a good school, and it was especially fortunate in having had competent teachers of a fine type. Was it, then, any wonder that it produced a good stamp of pupil? Any district has reason to be proud of its pioneers, and Paterangi especially, for its earliest settlers had applied themselves with diligence to their great task of settlement; their integrity and grit was reflected in the assemblage that day, and the very fine district. The pioneers had set a very fine standard. Among his many pleasant recollections also was the religious instruction given to the young folk by the late Messrs James Ryburn and Robert Kay, men of sterling character. They gave up their Sunday afternoons to instruct the youngsters, and achieved good results by their thoroughness and earnestness. Mr Munro concluded by expressing congratulations on the continued success of the Paterangi School, for it had consistently turned out good citizens, reflecting credit on Paterangi. (Applause.) The celebrations were continued in the evening, when a well-attended dancei was held in the Paterangi Hall. On Saturday afternoon a cricket match took place, in which quite a number of former pupils figured as players and onlookers. A special commemorative service was held in the Paterangi Church on Sunday morning, the Rev. D. C. Mclntyre officiating. JUBILEE CRICKET MATCH. The celebration of the Paterangi School diamond jubilee was continued on Saturday when a cricket match was played by local and visiting veterans, assisted by younger players and visitors from surrounding districts. The game took place at Mr Spiers’ farm, and what used to be called “Germann’s paddock,” the battle ground in earlier days of many hard-fought games of both football and cricket. Some of the' veterans disnlayed surprisingly good form in the field and with the ball) but many complained that they did not feel in form with the bat, as they had had no practise during the last fifty years. During the afternoon tea adjournment, Mr W'. G. Macky, formerly the youngest member of the Paterangi Club, formed by Mr S. C. Crooks in 1887, returned thanks to the ladies of the district for dispensing afternoon tea and also to Mr C. J. Spiers for the trouble he had taken in arranging the match. On displav during the afternoon was the cup won by thq Paterangi Club in the Waikato Cricket Association’s competition in 1887 and 1888. Bv winning the, trophy in two successive seasons, the club won it outright. It is now in the possession of Mr W. G. Macky. The following are the scores:—No. 1 team: R. Carey (senr.), l.b.w, b Kay. 0; Franklin, b Head, 0; S. C. Macky b J. Cavanagh, 2; R. Spiers, c and b Oram 10; N. Reid, 1.b.w., b J. Cavanagh, 1; W. Finn, b Oram, 1; A. Graham b J. Cavanagh, 1; F. Gillett, b J. Cavanagh, 0; C. J. Spiers, not out. 2; R. Carey b J. Cavanagh, 1; C. Ryburn b J. Cavanagh, 2; L. Karl, b J. Cavanagh, 0; extras, 2; total, 22. No. 2 team: S. C. Macky, retired, 8; R. Head, b Carey, 14; R. Kay, b Carey 0; A. Edwards, b S. C. Macky, 0: J. Cavanagh retired, 9; T. Macky, b S. C. Macky, 0; W. G. Macky, c and b Carey, 3; M. Shaw, b Carey,

1; J. Curtis b C. J. Spiers, 4; R. Carey, b C. J. Spiers, 0; N. Oram, not out, 1; extras, 3; total 53. CHURCH SERVICE. The final scene of the jubilee celebrations was staged on Sunday when a thanksgiving service was conducted in the Presbyterian Church by the Rev. D. Mclntyre, The hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,” was sung by a large congregation, after which a short address was given to the children. The preacher took for his text Heb. 13:8.