SIXTY YEARS AGO, AND AFTER.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4046, 11 May 1938, Page 3

SIXTY YEARS AGO, AND AFTER.

DIAMOND JUBILEE OF TE RAHU SCHOOL. HAPPY REUNION OF OLD SCHOLARS MARKS AN EPOCHAL EVENT. STRIKING TRIBUTES TO THE PIONEERS. Fragrant memories of bygone days were re-captured, friendships of old school days were renewed, and scenes familiar in the days of childhood and youth were re-visited on Saturday last when the diamond jubilee of the establishment of Te Rahu School was celebrated with eclat and enthusiasm. It was only becoming that the early scholars now grown to manhood, with families of their own, should pay tribute to their forebears, the hardy pioneers who settled first in Te Rahu district and laid the foundations, well and truly, of the prosperous farming locality as it exists to-day. Indeed, this was the predominant note of all the speeches—a recognition of what the generations which had followed owed to the original settlers, who came as pioneers in the enlightened sense of that word, determined to build homes and cultivate the land for themselves and their children. Theirs was a vision of practical service, their enterprise dedicated to the establishment of a farming community in which due place would be accorded not alone to the needs material, but to the right and privilege of man to develop in freedom the riches of the mind and of the spirit. It was therefore gratifying to all present to hear the eloquent testimony paid those pioneers who were prepared to venture, for their dual faith in freedom and the reward of labour, into an unknown land. To-day, as a result of their united efforts, the area is one of the best farming localities in the rich South Auckland province. And their descendants, proud of their heritage, remain faithful to their own community, as was demonstrated by the large attendance at Te Rahu on Saturday, not unmindful of the good common sense, the high endeavour, and the far-seeing-courage of that band of pioneers who founded the nowprosperous settlement.

“THE DAY OF DAYS.” “This is the day of days for Te Rahu,” declared Mr Harry Weal (chairman of the local school committee) in opening proceedings on Saturday last in connection with the celebration of the diamond jubilee ol the establishment of the Te Rahu School. The observation aptly fitted the unique and interesting occasion for old scholars assembled from al parts of the district and from places as far distant as Auckland and Napiei to participate in the celebrations which were marked by an enthusiasm and bonhomie which at once ordained a complete success, which must have been most gratifying to the organising committee, of which Mr R. Frost was an energetic secretary, in which capacity he was ably seconded by all the members. A lavish display of bunting by day and festoons of coloured electric lights by night (expertly arranged by Mi Les. W. Spence) proudly proclaimed the gala nature of the gathering, which was attended by over 300 adults and children. Among those present were Mr George Blackett, who was teacher at the school for 17 years from 1886; Mrs Bluck (nee Miss E. Harper), of Te Awamutu, and Mr Arthur Benton (now teaching near Auckland), and Mrs Hunter (nee Jeannie Carley), all former teachers; Mr M. M. H. Dixon, of Napier (a former inspector), and Miss M. A. Boucher z the present teacher). A large marquee had been erected in the grounds, which presented a tidy and attractive appearance, and herein the ladies of the district dispersed a tasty luncheon and, later, afternoon tea, full justice -being done to the many good things provided. THE ROLL CALL. Proceedings commenced with the Roll Call by Mr J. A. Johnson, who read out in all over 900 names, starting w’ith the first roll in 1878 and finishing with the one at present in use. The first name called was that of William J. Thompson and he was greeted with applause as he took his seat. Other names followed and when that of “Emily Weal, the oldest scholar,” who has reached the age of 74 years, was called the applause became more pronounced and sustained As each name was called, the assemblage accorded the named one an appropriate reception, thus adding a touch of kindly friendship to proceed ings. As the pupils of each decade were marshalled they were photographed in groups, so that one and all will possess a lasting memento of the unique occasion. The “first day” pupils who answered “Present” were given a rosette of purple and gold—the school colours— and were as follows: William J. Thompson. - ■ Hugh H. Thompson. Frederick Potts. Henry Weal. Mabel Potts. George Floyd. Mary Weal (now Mrs M. F. Goldrich, Frankton Junction). Jessie Walsh (Mrs D. Meredith, Kihikihi). Frances North (Mrs W. Head, Te Rore). Emily Weal (Mrs E. M. Keen, RoyaOak. Auckland). Elizabeth Floyd (Mrs E. H. Smales. 63 Kipy T?,J ~ ' r'’'ad .

Thompson, Edward Churches, Margaret McCabe, Daniel Cavanagh, Wil- ; liam Johns, Nellie Johns, Richard i Bourne, Percy Bourne, Reginald Henry Bourne, Richard Flay, Alice • Ellis, Kathleen Kirkham. Ethel Carley. Albert Carley. This completed the first decade and in the next year 1889 appeared such well-known residents as John Richard Pollard, Annie Pollard (Mrs R. Hardy. Waharoa), and Frank Taylor. And so Mr Johnson proceeded with his Roil Call till the tiny tots at the end of the sixth decade (1938) had answered “Present, Sir!” LOOKING BACK. The assemblage were then addressed from a dais erected outside the schoolhouse, the local Roll of Honour being prominently displayed. On the platform were Messrs Harry Weal (chairman of the School Committee), W. I. Bowyer (of Otorohanga, member of the Auckland Education Board), Fred Potts (one of the first-day pupils, and a member of the Otorohanga County Council and the Waikato Hospital Board), and Stewart Reid (former MP. for the district, and representing Mr S. C. B. Macky, chairman of the Waipa County Council, for whose absence an apology was received). Mr Weal said that they had reached “the day of days” for Te Rahu in that they were celebrating the sixtieth anniversary—the diamond jubilee—of the founding of their school. On behalf of the committee he extended heartiest greetings and welcome to them all. A pleasing feature of that day's gathering was the response of “first day” pupils to the Roll Call, 12 answering the call out of 31 on the original roll. That was very nice and the committee appreciated it. The work of organising the function had been a pleasure to the committee, whose pleasure was added to by the results seen that day. TE RAHU SIXTY YEARS AGO. It was a pretty long time, added Mr Weal, to look back 69 years and, as it was often said, a lot of water had flowed under the bridges—many great changes had taken place—in the intervening years. Indeed, he would assert that there had been more changes in the last 60 years in the world than at any other time in its history. In those changes, Te Rahu had participated. Let them visualise what’ the district was like 60 years ago. Where they were assembled that day there was then ti-tree and fern and the same growth obtained right throughout the district, except for small areas around the homesteads As to the school itself, it took a long time to get it built and working. Ap plication was first made to the Central Board (now the Education Board) and it did not meet with a very hearty ’welcome, especially as its banking account was very low and it had other requests to attend to. So the Board sent back word that the settlers would have to subscribe to the cost—and the latter had about as much money as a frog had feathers. However, a subscription list was sent round and the munificent sum of £54 was gathered. “You may smile,’’ added Mr Weal, “but you would not smile if you were in the position of those pioneer _ Those who subscribed 1 ’«te

shipped to Te Rore, then “the chief port of the Waikato” (laughter) and then it had to be carted to Te Rahu. the latter job being undertaken by the late W. J. Thompson (sen.) and James Walton. In the end the school was erected in 1877 and opened on February 1, 1878, with 31 scholars (15 boys and 16 girls) and under the charge of the late Mr T. W. H. Coulter, who remained for four years. It had to be remembered that the settlers themselves had to clear the site. TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEERS. The highest tributes were due to the old settlers, continued Mr Weal. Really they were visionaries. With not much capital, they took on a big job. Difficulties were always in the offing and sometimes came ashore. But there were no grumblers—what to-day Mr Semple called “scroungers” —and all put in and between them “got there.” It was by the old spirit of freemasonry and co-operation that they got- there. If that spirit prevailed in the world to-day there would be no need of peace pacts and such like. Difficulties would be ironed out and there would be no dark shadows. In those days the pioneers and their children made their own amusements. It was something after the manner in which the committee were enjoying the celebration that day. They saw. after three months of work, the success of the gathering, and that was their reward for a work which in one sense had been an amusement. He supposed it was a trait which they had inherited from the pioneers, who had found a delight and their amusement in getting up concerts and “well, the annual picnic was great. Wasn’t it, Julia?” A reply in the affirmative came back from a lady in the assemblage and smiles and a round of applause greeted the interlude. PICNICS AND DANCES. Mr Weal proceeded to draw an alluring picture of those early day picnics in “the cherry and peach groves where no fruit like it ever grew.” As he had said, in the early days they had to make their own amusements and well did ha remember when William and Hugh Thompson, Fred Potts, Dick Burke and himself assembled in the school, when they were young men. to write out the invitations to the dances. As to the annual picnic, it was regarded as the event of the year, for the whole district participated in it. As a “snooker” he remembered the gathering on the island in Lake Ngaroto—an island which had since disappeared into “Willie” , Macky’s farm as a result of the opera- . tions of the Drainage Board lowering the level of the lake. In those far- ( off days, the picnickers were con- ( veyed to the island in a yacht, which . took 50 to 55 each journey, and it was a journey which was greatly enjoyed | by all. Then there was also a boat which took seven or eight people over to the island at a time. He could t assure them that transit was not of , a high order in those days- it was 1 either by boot or per boat. The orig- ; inal settlers used to tell of how it took j 103 days to come out from London to , Melbourne—and they did not thinly r that very long, so he wondered what t they would think now when Clouston c had done the trip out and back in f ten days. Then “Willie” Thompson ( had told him how in the early days } it occupied him five days to come from £ Auckland io Te Rahu per dray, and c yet only the other day he had made t the same trip per motor car in two f and a-quarter hours—though he (Mr ] Weal) thought it a good thing that a none of “Bob” Semple’s men were a about on the latter occasion or c “Willie” would have “gone up.” (Laughter.) r

THE CHANGED SCENE. Mr Weal went on to say that in the early days the world’s news did not trouble them much. They got the Weekly News, also a Hamilton paper. The health of the settlers was particularly good; they had no epidemics in those days. It was just as well, for medical attention was very scarce. The first doctor in the district was Dr Waddington, uncle of Mr W. H. Garvey, of Te Awamutu. He left and there was a break in the medical service—but no one died. (Laughter.) In those days, the doctor covered the whole area from Te Rore to Hairini and from Kihikihi. The second doctor was Dr Ear] Blunden, “a bit of a character in his way,” but ha succeeded to a title and went Home. EX-PUPILS MAKE GOOD. Mr Weal concluded by stating that ox-pupils of the school who had left Te Rahu and been forced into the world had made good and succeeded in all walks of life, achievements which were a credit to themslves and to the teachers who had taught them. “The old pioneers were visionaries in their way,” concluded Mr Weal, “and here we are to-day on the Main Trunk, on the Main Highway and yes. at any time now, on the sky-way too. Surely the pioneers laid the foundations nobly and well and to-day, in celebrating our diamond jubilee, let us remember their works in reverence and respect.” (Applause.) THE BOARD REPRESENTATIVE. Mr W. .1. Bowyer, member of the Auckland Education Board, thanked the committee for their invitation to be present and apologised for nevei before having visited the school, though all matters which the committee had brought under his notice he* had diligently attended to. He also apologised for the absence of his colleague, Mr Primrose, who had a prior engagement to fulfil. He had attended many similar functions to that which they were holding that day, and he thought the spirit which prompted such gatherings admirable. It was not merely a question of the cider folk meeting and recalling the day when “Mary got the cane and didn’t deserve it” or when “Johnny fell into the pond.” It was more important than that. To look down the past was interesting and when re-told to the younger folk had a beneficial influence. Mr Bowyer then spoke at length on school consolidation, his remarks in this respect being reported in another part of the nreseu 4 ’ ar also is h’T 'W fn '

board out, leaving his wife and children in Auckland. At the school, there was no tank, so the pupils had to take it in turns and go to a near-by spring and carry the water—“l was a little fellow so didn’t carry much” candidly confessed the narrator, who went on to say that there was no shelter shed, so the pupils had to play in. the school porch. He well remembered the picnics in Robert Brice’s paddock and cherry groves. The Te Awamutu Band was a good one in those days and used to be brought out to Te Rahu in a waggon by the late W. J. Thompson. At the picnics, the band was the great attraction. For the bandsmen five gallons of beer were provided. At first there was no school inspector, so Mr Roache and his father conducted the examination, after which each child was given a book, Mr Walton presenting the prizes. The school had half a cricket pitch on the side of a hill, but later the playground was added to and the rough taken off. It was on this area that William Cunningham, a member of the first AU Black team to visit England, learned his football. The annual picnic was always held just before the New Year, with a dance at night, the Te Awamutu Band being in attendance. As to the yacht on Lake Ngaroto, mentioned by Mr WJoal, it was built by a Mr Miller, of Ohaupo, who sailed it for some years. He offered all his sincerest congratulations on the school attaining and celebrating its diamond jubilee.

FORMER PARLIAMENTARIAN. Mr Stewart Reid congratulated the people in the fine manner in which they had carried out their diamond jubilee celebrations. The event was worthy of marking-—he noticed that the old people by the grasp of friendship’s hand were deeply moved at meeting each other once again. Memory strayed back 60 years to when the district was a wilderness and motoring along that day he could not but be filled with admiration for those who had converted it into a very fine farming district. If it had not been for those fine, brave men and women they would not have been that day celebrating their diamond jubilee. Why they had succeeded was because they had been inbued with the same spirit that caused them to journey in a sailing shop to an uncivilised, cannibal inhabited land, there determined to make a home for themselves. These people had faced and overcome tremendous hardships and they could not pay too great a tribute to men of that character. He (Mr Reid) had never seen the farms looking better than at the present time. It was a matter of pride and he heartily congratulated one and all and wished them every success in the- future. CUTTING THE CAKE.

An adjournment was then made to the marquee for afternoon tea, during which Mr Weal invited Mrs Keen, as the oldest pupil, to cut the Diamond Jubilee cake —a masterpiece of the confectioner’s art and reflecting to the greatest credit on Mr J. H. Burns, of Te Awamutu, to whom had been entrusted the duty of supplying it. The cake itself of three tiers was beautifully decorated, being surmounted by 60 candles. After the candles had been lighted. Mirs Keen amid much applause and enthusiasm “cut the cake” in orthodox fashion and to mark the interesting occasion she was presented with a beautiful bouquet by little Molly Grylls. daughter of Mr and Mrs Grylls, of Ngaroto. Thereafter the cake was speedily cut up and distributed among those present. This concluded the afternoon ceremonies.

DANCE AT NIGHT. GAY FESTIVE SCENES. SPIRIT OF OLD-TIME REVELRY. The celebrations were continued at night time’ by a grand dance, which proved to be one of the greatest functions ever held in. Te Rahu. Over 300 people attended and throughout proceedings went with a merry swing, the spirit of old-time revelry predominating the whole gathering. The hall had been gaily decorated with streamers and bunting and the excellent lighting effects introduced by Mr L. W. Spence added to the spectacular effect. Mr T. Flay proved an efficient master of ceremonies and kept things moving with a sprightly swing from start to finish. During the evening, Mr Les. W. Spence and partner staged a diverting sketch, entitled “Evils of Drinking”; Miss Julia Floyd entertained with a recitation of her own composition, “Memories of Te Rahu School”; while much appreciated songs were sung by Mrs L. Young (“Birthday” and “Love’s Old Sweet Song”), and Mr T. Andrew. Mr Nick Kahu played the accompaniments, and he also supplied an extra for the dance, the main music for which was supplied by Havward’s Entertainers. Little Peggy Sager was at her best in the portrayal of “An Italian Pea sant” a character dance. A Monte Carlo competition was won by Mrs J. Sager and partner. In the euchre tournament, Mrs Russell won the ladies’ prize and Mr R Bourne that for the gentlemen. Miss I. Laskey was the'winner of the competition for a cushion. The ladies once again fairly excelled theniselves with the supper arrangements and thereby contributed very materially to the success of the gathering, which terminated at m.id-night with thp sinp.'inj)r of “Auld Lang Syne-” ]

THANKSGIVING. “WHAT MEAN YE BY THIS < SERVICE?”

“SAVE THE CHILD.” “One of the classic stories of history tells us that when the Spartans were defeated, the King demanded fifty of their children as hostages, but their reply was—‘Wei would rather give you 100 of our most distinguished men.’ That was indeed a magnificent answer illustrating their unbounded faith in the future through the child. In our schools are the potential leaders and citizens of to-morrow. By saving the child we are saving’ the home, the country and the Empire I am broad enough in my religious thinkin" to believe that by means of education rightly understood, the principles of Christianity are to a great extent being carried into effect. We have to bear in mind that knowledge means power, and security (to man), and no life that is kept in ignorance of the truth can possibly attain to the standard of character and perfection of which our New Testament speaks. By means of education we are in a sense saving the child, the home, and the country MOTHER AND HER CHILD. “I fsexxj**' reeal- of the UJn

Martin Sullivan (Anglican), the Rev. J. C. Young (Presbyterian) and the Rev. H. S. Spencer (Methodist) conducted the service, at which Mrs Sullivan presided at the piano. Appropriate prayers of thanksgiving were offered up and Bible readings suitable to the occasion read. The hymns were “Oh! God Our Help in Ages Past,” “Fight the Good Fight with all Thy Might,” “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” and "“Oh! God of 4 Jacob by Whose Hand Thy People are still Led.” AN ELOQUENT SERMON. Taking as his subject “What mean ye by this service?” the Rev. J. C. Young delivered an eloquent sermon. “In those far distant Old Testament days,” he commenced, “when the Jewish families gathered together for the celebration of the Passover Feast, this was the question put to the head of the gathering by the youngest member present: “What mean ye by this service?’ The Passover was a sacred feast of thanksgiving instituted to mark the deliverance of the Jewish people from bondage in Egypt. , It was their way of remembering the guiding hand of God and His watchful care over them during their long pilgrimage. To the Jews, then, the Passover was a day of memories. In another sense, this is exactly what this service is to many of you today. It is your jubilee service when the past and the present jolitn hands in a service of thanksgiving and commemoration. There is a little sadness mingled with your rejoicing for you remember those ‘others whom you have loved long since and lost awhile.’ There is also a strange diversity of thought and feeling. “For the aged this is a day of vivid memories. Many of you have, been renewing the friendships of earlier years and recalling experiences of your childhood days. It is a unique experience for you to look back across the years that have gone and, in your dreams, trace your pilgrimage through life unto this day of thanksgiving and commemoration. In sunshine and shadow, in joy and in sorrow, you have been blessed of God and now in tha eventide of life you remember all the way that the Lord your God has led you. DAY OF MEMORIES.

“This is a day of memories for you. For the middle-aged there are other experiences. You are facing up to the tasks and responsibilities of life. You have been gripped by certain ideals which are urging you on; you are trying in some practical and helpful way to make the road ahead more secure for those who are to follow in your steps. You are looking back and you are looking forward. What does this service to-day mean to you? But there are the young, the eager, the strong, the representatives of a new generation. This is not a day of mingled memories for you; you are on the threshhold of life’s experiences—this to you is a day of questionings. What meaning has this service for you? While there is an obvious diversity of thought, feeling and experience manifested in different decades represented in this afternoon’s gathering, yet there is one thought in the minds of all alike —it is the thought of your school. This is to be expected. INTELLECTUAL EQUIPMENT. “The school is one of the most potent factors in the moulding of character and nationhood. This fact is universally recognised to-day by all leaders of thought, and every care is now taken to see that the children have an equality of opportunity for equipping themselves intellectually. It naturally follows that the schoolteacher is entrusted with the greatest responsibility that can possibly be placed on anyone’s shoulders the training of girls and boys for life and citizenship. But I sometimes wonder if our country fully appreciates the facilities for education now made available by the State. I wonder what would happen were education not made compulsory! Possibly many a promising young life would be denied its rightful inheritance, and through unnecessary illiteracy our nationhood would thereby be immeasurably weakened. To-day we are thinking of the child in our midst, for it is through the rising generation that our highest hopes for world betterment and enrichment are to come to fruition. The child is undoubtedly the nation’s greatest asset, and if we have any serious regard for the future welfare of succeeding generations, then we must indicate that regard by implanting vn the plastic mind of the child those ideals which pave the way to victorious living. I remember memorising in my university days certain lines which have a bearing on what I have said —‘Whatever we wish to see introduced into the life of a nation must first be introduced into its schools.’ Such is the value of education, rightly conceived and practised. If we go astray in education, we go astray nationally. . .

Years after, when the same child, Lloyd George, became Chancellor of the Exchequer, the old doctor said: ‘I never dreamed that in saving the life- of that child on the farm hearth, I was saving the life of a national leader.’ It is impossible to estimate in words the tremendous contribution that is being made by our public schools in moulding life and character. iWhat possibilities a country ■Abas when -education--is directed towards noble achievements and beneficient ends. We do well to recall what Benjamin Kidd said twenty years ago in his book ‘The Science of Power’: ‘Give us the young. Give us the young and we will create a new mind arid a new earth in a single generation.’ That is a startling statement but it is true. The school is a powerful instrument in the hands of the State either for the making or the marring of its own nationhood. So, much then regarding our appreciation of what the school has meant to us and means to the child in our midst to-day. A SEARCHING QUESTION. “But what has the school to say about us—we who have passed its educational tests and have gone forth into the world to face its calls and meet its demands? Are we makingcur mark in life by giving expression to the knowledge we have gained and the ideals which we cherish ? Is our yfe a living witness to the fact that compulsory education is justifiable? Or are we squandering our privileges by shirking our responsibilties in that we are not making a worthy moral and spiritual contribution to the life of our day? After all, education in its i truest sense and as I understand it equips us for the whole of life. We may not rise to positions of leadership or of national greatness nor may our life story be graven in stone or recorded in the annals of history; but we may so live that the’ story of our life will be woven into the record of other men’s lives. M,any schools have an honours board on which are insertbed the names of those who have distinguished thems'elves academically; but there is in every school an invisible honours board on which are inscribed the names of all who, by their life of uprightness and usefulness have served their day and generation nobly and well. This is the greatest honours list of all. Are our names on that scroll? Finally—

WHAT MEAN YE BY THIS SERVICE. I. It is a service of thankfulness to God for the knowledge you have gained in the school of your childhood days; for the discipline, experiences and fellowships which enriched your lives in those happy years. 11. It is a service of commemoration, wherebv you respectfully remember the teachers and scholars who have passed from your earthly fellowship. 111. It is a service of prayer for the school of to-day and the children in our midst, that the lessons which they learn, thei experiences which they share, and the fellowships which they form may fit them for the school of life and enable them, in their turn, to make some worthwhile contribution to thei world of their day and generation.” “ LEST WE FORGET.” WREATH ON ROLL OF HONOUR. THE IIMMORTAL DEAD. At the conclusion of the service, the entire congregation adjourned to where the school’s Roll of Honour had been hung- and in tense silence Mr Albert Pollard, an old pupil and returned “Digger” placed in position a beautiful wreath, testifying that in the hour of jubilee celebration, the people had not forgotten those who had answered the call of King and Country in the hour of dire peril. And in the ensuing silence came to mind the immortal lines of Pericles: “So they gave their bodies to the commonwealth and received, each for his own memory, praise that will never die; and with it, the noblest sepulchre, not that in which the mortal bones are laid, but a home in the minds of men.”