WHAREPAPA SOUTH

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 60, Issue 4232, 17 January 1940, Page 12

WHAREPAPA SOUTH

SCHOOL OPENING. (Contributed.) An event of considerable significance to a fast growing district took place on the 16th December last, when a new two roomed school of the most modern design was officially opened at Wharepapa South. Situated on the road from Te Awamutu to Arohena, about 18 miles out, this new school is the centre of a Government land block, now controlled by the Lands and Survey Department, but originally founded under the Waikato Land, Settlement Society by that far-seeing and capable gentleman, Mr D. V. Bryant. As Mr Broadfoot, M.P. for Waitomo, aptly stated in his official speech he, years ago, visualised an area stretching east of Te Awamutu towards Arapuni, peopled by as many as 600 small farming families. And to-day, originated by Mr D. V. Bryant and given added impetus by the Small Farmers Department, his prophecy is fast approaching fruition. In the beginning, about five years ago, the few children of the workers on this block received their education in the one roomed crowded and poorly ventilated district social hall, built by public subscription and subI sidised by Mr D. 1 V. Bryant and his fellow associates. So it was with considerable pride that the School Committee, headed by Mr V. G. Barnett as chairman, took their places on the long concrete steps of this fine new building alongside Mr Broadfoot, representing the electorate, Mr Bowyer, representative of the Education Board for this district, and Mr S. Smith, superintendent of this block for the Lands and Survey Department. In the opening speech Mr V. G. Barnett paid tribute to the work done

by all those gone before in connection with the attaining of their new building, and put forward the admirable suggestion that the time was now ripe to give the new school and district a permanent name fitting and proper to their birth —that of Brydon, a name commemorating for always the name of its founder, Mr D. V. Bryant. After the interesting remarks ‘ of Broadfoot, M.P. for Waitomo as previously stated, Mr Bowyer appealed to the large gathering of parents and the children in particular to help to the utmost of their abilities to safeguard and preserve the fine building, which was now theirs, and to co-oper-ate with the teachers in the extensive work of moulding and beautifying the surroundings and playing grounds. Perhaps of more interest, especially to the children, was the Christmas tree, complete with a live Santa Claus, and picnic which followed the official opening, a very creditable array of gifts being distributed

among the kiddies and a most enjoyable afternoon of events being carried out. The committee, consisting of Mr V. G. Barnett, Mrs A. L. Farrant, Mr R. Barnsdall, Mr A. Hose and Mr L. Williams should indeed be justly proud to represent this building and budding district of about 25 families, an event surely of great importance to the progress of the environs of Te Awamutu.