TE KURA MOUNGA

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1935, Page 9

TE KURA MOUNGA

OLD * GIRLS’ PUBLICATION. SCHOOL MAGAZINE ADDED. - _i It was to express a sense of gratitude to the school and to the teachers, and to strengthen the bond of sympathetic interest between old pupils that *‘Te Kura Mounga,” the magazine of the two-year-old association, was published in December, 1909. With some trepidation a small committee brought out the first number—a modest effort of only- 11 pages—but the fact that the work involved was regarded not as so much unavoidable drudgery but as a pleasure and a privilege made it at once successful. It was written by enthusiasts who brought all the freshness and! vigour of enthusiasm to aid a fine literary talent. ■ \

Blossoming under the influence of a : cordial reception, and a consequent increase in subscribers, “Te Kura Mounga” expanded in the following year, although a wail arose from the . editorial pages that Excessive bashfulness and the fear of scathing criticisms or else a lack of , energy was producing only a meagre response to the appeal for contributions. '“Surely,” pleaded the editor, "surely ' there must have been in each one’s life some experience worth relating, some amusing incident, some exciting adventure? Tell us about it, let us share in your amusement, in your excitement! In this way and in this way only, there will be a variety and an interest in the pages of ‘Te Kura Mounga!’ ” Use the pen! There’s magic in it!

Never let it lag behind; Write your thought—the pen can win it From the chaos of the mind.

Whether due to the eloquence of this appeal or to natural interest in the magazine, there was after 1910 an adequate, but certainly not excessive, supply of literary material. A more ominous shadow of trouble began to loom up, however, and lack of funds prompted the proposal that “Te Kura Mounga” should amalgamate with the present girls’ magazine. Exigencies, in opposition to the wishes of the,old girls, forced the scheme and in 1912 the joint', publication appeared. It represented “Te Kura Mounga” and the initial number of the “Girls’ High School Magazine.” Previously there had been a magazine of the combin'ed school, but it had lapsed. In his first year of office in 1912 Mr. W. H. ’Moyes suggested the revival of the publication in the form of separate boys’ and girls’ sections, the school roll on both sides having shown a marked, increase since the early -days, which justified the boys being taught entirelyby masters and the girls by mistresses. It seemed appropriate 'that each group should have its own organ.

In 1915 the march of the school magazine faltered., “Te Kura Mounga/’ once more in the solitary glory that was sufficient testimony to the enterprise and dogged enthusiasm of its editorial staff, appeared for what was to be the last year of its brief and heroic existence. In 1916, with new strength and energy the school magazine arose phoenix-like from its ashes. The old girls, absorbed in war work, made no protest when “Te Kura Mounga” abruptly dwindled without warning into two pages of old girls* notes included in it.

In 1918, with the inclusion of the prospectus the last stage in the evolution, of the school magazine was reached. It was recognised as furnishing an adequate record of activities of the year and an honest indication of the presence, or absence, of literary talent among the', present girls. In the last two or three years the quality of original contributions has been improved by the offer or prizes for prose and .verse.