OPENING OF THE RANGITIRA VALLEY SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1476, 6 March 1886, Page 2

OPENING OF THE RANGITIRA VALLEY SCHOOL.

The occasion of the opening of this new school was marked, on Wednesday last, by a aocial gathering of the in habitants of the school district, The school was only recently bnilt on a site presented by Mr William Wright, and is in charge of Miss Brown, and has already an attendance of 27. The children were amused in the afternoon by games and sports, and the Her. Jfl. Mackintosh kindly acted as judge. At the close prizes wern arranged on tables, and the highest scorers had the first' choice. Much merriment was caused by the selection of coveted articles, without any apparent regard to their value. Tea was supplied to the children at 5 p.m., and later on the parents and frieuds sat down to a splendid repast. After tea the room was arranged for an entertainment, which was presided over by the Rev. T. A. Hamilton. The opening overture was played by Mr Harrison. Songs and dnets were con* tributed by Miss Ladbrooke, Miss Smith, Miss Brown, and Mr Brown j and readings by Mr Talbot and the Rev* T. A. Hamilton. The whole entertainment was thoroughly enjoyable, and highly appreciated by the audience. At the close of the entertainment the Rev. Mr Hamilton gave an address, in which he congratulated the district upon the acquisition of such a nice schoolroom, and also in having obtained the services of such an excellent mistress as Miss Brown was known to be. He gave a number of humorous reminiscences of his own life as a schoolmaster in North Canterbury, and reminded the parents and Committee that if they wished ths school to prosper they must have no dissensions amongst theraselve*, and, above all, must back op the authority of the teacher. He concluded by showing the value and importance of education, not only in the mechanical work, but more especially in the training of the young in right principles in order to use aright the knowledge which they acquired at school, and he expressed a hope that a Sunday school would shortly be established.— The Chairman of the School Committee, Mr Talbot, thanked Mr Hamilton very warmly for the timely advice he had given, and urged upon the parents the necessitf of working tegetlier, and upon the children tint of regularity in attendance. He moved a vole of thanks to Mr Wm. Wright lor the gift of land, and the warm interest evinced by him in the matter of education, and to Mrs Wright for her generosity in providing the tea, and also to the performers for their services, These were carried with acclamation.— Mr Wright suitably responded, and after the Rev. Mr Hamilton bad replied on behalf of the performers, the proceedings terminated with the Na? tional Anthem,