SCHOOL’S JUBILEE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1935, Page 8

SCHOOL’S JUBILEE

THANKSGIVING SERVICE GATHERING AT MAIN SCHOOL. MR. C. G. BURTON’S ADDRESS. Thanksgiving for fee achievements of fee school and its pupils in the last 60 years was the dominant feature of a service held in the Hawera Main school assembly hall yesterday afternoon in celebration of fee diamond jubilee anniversary of the school’s foundation. The Rev. J. Ings presided and fee hall was crowded by more than 400 people, representative of all decades of the school’s history. The principal speaker was Mr. C. G. Burton, a former dux of fee school, who was a pupil in the years from 1906 to 1915, and who has more recently been a student at Victoria University College, Wellington. In a forceful address he pleaded for a great measure of Christianity among all sections of the community.

The Hawera Municipal Band led fee hymns for the service, fee order of which was as follows: National Anthem, hymn, “O God Our Help in Ages Past”; prayer and Lord’s Prayer, Rev. H. Curran; hymn, “Jesus Lover of My Soul”; Scripture lesson, Hebrews 1, 32 and 2,2, fee Rev. Basil Metson; prayer, Rev. A. G. Irvine; hymn, “All Hail the Power”; hymn, “Abide Wife Me”; benediction, Rev. A. G. Irvine.

When he was at school a good deal had been heard of the three R’s, said Mr. Burton in his address. The fact that less was heard to-day of those subjects was, in his opinion, a step in fee right direction. Nevertheless, a good deal more was learned in those days than ability to read, write and make calculations. The chief value of the education had been to lead the pupils to a broader understanding. True education led to a quality of living. It was well to realise that the past 60 years had been years of great progress. He did not agree that the world, as some people considered, was getting worse. The oldest document known to history was a Babylonian tablet which said: “Alas, alas, fee world is not what it was!”

The, last 60 years had seen tremendous figures arise, men like Shaw, Rutherford, Einstein, Kipling and Scott. The 60 years had also seen fee entanglement of international relationships, resulting in the frightfulness of fee Great War, when hundreds of fine fellows had been killed.

“If we to-day would be thankful, it is feat we should follow after and give greater expression to what our forebears have done,” said Mr. Burton. He appealed for devotion to the Christian Cross and instanced the tremendous devotion shown by Germans, Italians and Russians to their national causes, however mistaken those beliefs might be. The fact feat widespread concern was expressed at Italy’s attitude towards Abyssinia showed that the human race was developing.

When it was remembered that the men who had gone to fee' war had gone to make the world safe for democracy and similar ideals and that to-day the greatest development of dictatorships in the world’s history was taking place it had to be realised that those who died died in vain. The fault was not theirs, but it was the fault of those who followed on. There was only one certain way to be free and that was to give oneself to the way of living taught by Jesus Christ.

Apologies from the Rev. Canon D. B. Malcolm,, of the Anglican Church, and Major Hawke, of the Salvation Army, were announced by Mr. Ings, who, on behalf of the Ministers* Association congratulated the school on its anniversary and wished it God speed for fee centenary and beyond.

GENERAL ITEMS.

Kakaramea Euchre Begun. The first of a series of euchre tournaments was held in fee Kakaramea Hall on Friday. There was a good attendance of players. Prizes were won by Miss J. Chamberlain and Mr. A. McDonald. Dancing was held to music by Miss M. Hamlin. Mr. K. Bourke was master of ceremonies. Steps For Incorpoiation. A decision to take steps for fee incorporation of fee Hawera Chamber of Commerce was made at the monthly meeting of the chamber on Friday night. The decision was made as the result of an address recently given to members by Mr. A. O. Heany on the benefits of incorporation and the work of the Associated Chambers, an address, said fee president, Mr. E. K. Cameron, which had given members a greater insight into the workings of the organisation. Unemployed Assistance. A total of 33 families in the Hawera, Normanby and Okaiawa dsitricts were assisted by fee distribution of rations at Hawera on Saturday. Commodities issued included 171 b. of tea, 1441 b. of sugar, 2101 b. of flour, 421 b. of- oatmeal, 401 b. of rice, 161 b. of barley, 78 loaves of bread and 371 b. of butter. MEMEMERE SOCIAL EVENING. MR. AND MRS. KERRISK WELCOMED A euchre party and dance in aid of tennis funds at Meremere was well patronised. The card prizes were won by Miss Rangi Tonga and Mr. M. Murray. Mrs. A. Williams and Mr. G. Foreman won a Monte Carlo waltz. Mr. J. Cleland and Mr. A. Heal tied in a competition for a cushion which was finally won by Mr. Heal. Dance music was played by Messrs. J. Bloor and W. S. Geary. Mr. A. Williams was master of ceremonies. The people of Meremere and Ohangai tendered a surprise party to Mr. and Mrs. T. Kerrisk, fee evening taking fee form of games and competitions. Winners of the competitions were Mrs. Elmes and Mr. S. Kerrisk, Mr. and Mrs. Dowden, and Mrs. Shrimpton and Mr. E. Murphy. SPORT OF WRESTLING. GROWING INTEREST AT PATEA. Following upon the recent successful tournament and the manner in which it was received by the public, the Patea Wrestling Association decided at a meeting on Friday to present a professional contest at an early date if good talent could be secured. As a further stimulant to fee sport th'-' chairman, Mr. Frank Naismith, offered a silver cup as a challenge trophy for local contests.

It was decided to seek affiliation with fee New Zealand Wrestling Association. The additional trophies required for the competitors in fee drawn bouts at the last tournament had been secured and forwarded, it was reported. Appreciation of a trophy given by Mr. Eric Lash and concessions extended fee association by Mr. R. W. Haddow was recorded.