HAIRINI’S JUBILEE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 58, Issue 4193, 7 June 1939, Page 4

HAIRINI’S JUBILEE

RANGIAOHIA SCHOOL. LARGE ASSEMBLAGE AND A HAPPY REUNION. “ Rangiaohia ” means, according to the text books, “ cloudy sky,” but there was scarcely a cloud in the sky on Friday last when the Rangiaohia School celebrated its diamond jubileeThe weather was perfect, and this undoubtedly tended to make the day one of the most joyous experienced; and certainly it contributed in ino small measure to the success of the function, for the School Committee was able to conduct the whole of the arrangements (with the exception of the lunch and afternoon tea) in the open air. Proceedings really began at 11 ami., and for the* first hour or so there was a continuous reunion, as former school mates met in pleased recognition and began straightway to recall incidents of the days when they trudged wearily to school along unformed roads, across rough paddocks, and so into the dreaded edifice of education—now looked upon with a sentimental regard that could not be conceived a few decades ago. Friday last was a day of reunion, as intended, and it was wonderfully interesting. Officially the present-day scholars opened proceedings with a march to the flagstaff a few chains away. A former teacher, Mr Oscar Pound, who had come back especially to renew old friendships, took charge of the children, and they were followed by the assemblage. Mr G. S. Hall, the energetic chairman of the School Committee, briefly but heartily accorded the Committee’s welcome to old and young, from far and near, and mentioned the fact that it was believed the Rangiaohia district had a school of sorts a century ago, and that over half a century ago the dominees imparted education in one of the two churches in the neighbourhood. At the flagstaff Mr Gavin Gifford, one of the oldest pupils, unfurled the flag to float proudly in the breeze, and the National Anthem was sung, after which two other very old pupils, Mr Charles F. Storey and his sister, Mrs D. McNicol (Hamilton), planted a commejnorative tree (a totara) within a few yards of the flagstaff, with the hope that it would, in the years to come, be a reminder to the former pupils of an important and memorable occasion. The chairman said the Committee had made arrangements to protect the tree from damage by stock, so that it should grow unhindered to maturity. Luncheon was served in the hall by a very competent band of local ladies, and then time was again given for reunions, for very many more old pupils had arrived —some of them having motored for scores of miles to be present. Mr Hall, in introducing the principal speaker, Mr AV. S. Goosman, M.P., remarked that one had definitely to go beyond the towns to realise the heartiness of the people, and the co-operation exhibited by the people of Hairini to make the celebration a noteworthy one was only another example of accord and the real community spirit. He contrasted present-day educational facilities with those of the decades that had gone, and added that the hardships of former days were hallowed by the fact that reunions could be arranged and enjoyed in each centre just as was the case that day. Mr Goosman said the assemblage was a wonderful gathering, and he did not propose to divert those present from the pleasant opportunity of recalling incidents of the older days. Such a jubilee was important to them, and he added that he was quite looking forward to the jubilee of his old school, Mangere, next month, where also a prominent farmer of Hairini, Mr Andrew Rennie, would doubtless be present. Contrasting his school days with those of to-day, Mr Goosman said there were now good metalled or bitumen roads all round the place, indicating advancement and development of a fine district. Hairini was famed, and always had been famed, for its good land, and that it had also good farmers was very evident. He mentioned that many years ago familiar Hairini names to him in the newspapers were Storey, Mandeno, and Cruickshank, and he was very pleased to note that some members of those families were still much in evidence. (Applause.) Other old residents present that day were his old friends Bob and Charlie Ramsay, though neither was still resident in the district- He named another ex-Hairini scholar, a lady from Papatoetoe, adding that it was the presence of such people that made jubilee reunions so successful. Beautiful bouquets were presented at this stage to Mrs Goosman (by Eunice Hall), to Mrs D. McNicol (by Master Storey), and to Mrs Aubin Ahier (by Olive Holden), and to Mrs H. Ingham (by Audrey Long), the recipients being very early scholars on the school roll.

The chairman mentioned, among the list of absentees who had sent hearty good wishes for the day’s success, the names of former teachers in Messrs J. Hill, Ivan McDonald, K. McKenzie, E. Prendergrast, and G. Smith, and read a telegram from the Hon. :W. E. Parry, who had found it impossible to accept the Committee’s invitation to be present. Mr Alan Weal, of Arohena, brought a message of good wishes from his aged father, Mr Thomas Weal, one of the earliest settlers in the district and chairman of the School Committee for many years. 111-health prevented his attending. Next came the very interesting roll call of former pupils, Mr C. F. Storey being the first to answer “ Here ” as his name was called by Mrs Watt (formerly Miss M. Mandeno). Mr G. Gifford’s name was second on the list, and then came a succession of “ Present, Miss ” as the roll was called for children present in the first decade of the present State school’s history. Mrs W. J. North (formerly Miss Mainwaring) called the names for the next decade; and others having similar honour were Miss E. Milndeno, Mr O. Pound, and Miss E. H. Brewer. It was remarked that altogether some-

thing like 900 to 1000 pupils had attended the school, according to the existent rolls, and this notwithstanding it was remarkable the number of them present on Friday. Mr W. I. Bowyer, member of the Auckland Board of Education, who had come from another important engagement at Otorohanga, arrived at this stage, and he was accorded a hearty welcome, acknowledging which he directed attention to the establishment of the new school in Te Awamutu, and reminded all present that it was just as much for the sons and daughters of farmers and dwellers in rural areas as it was for the children of the town. He and his fellow members of the Board hoped that every opportunity would be taken of the facilities provided there. It was the finest school of its type in the whole of New Zealand, and as it A had been definitely proved that in-19 termediate high schools were the best means of education in the country centres the provision of such a fine school in Te Awamutu was a tribute to that town’s importance. He urged every parent to send his or her child, when it passed the fourth standard, to receive the higher education obtainable in Te Awamutu. Education in the country centres was better than in the cities in that there were opportunities for walks and recreation in the wide open spaces and the fresh, clean air. Mr Bowyer added that it did children no harm to walk some distance to school. He was a great believer in walking for exeis cise. If the school buses did not happen to pass one’s door a walk to the nearest point should not be objected to, so long as there was such a fine educational centre available at the end of that bus ride as the one in Te Awamutu. This concluded the official ceremonies for the day, and a tasty afternoon tea was dispensed. In the evening the jubilee dance was held in the hall, at which there was a large attendance, and proceedings were kept going merrily, with old-time and modern dancing, until the early hours of the morning.