GOLDEN JUBILEE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20509, 29 August 1936, Page 3

GOLDEN JUBILEE

RANGITATA SCHOOL COMMEMORATIVE OAK PLANTED Although heavy showers fell shortly after mid-day yesterday, conditions improved in time for the Rangitata School golden jubilee sports meeting held later in the afternoon, when there was a fair attendance of ex-pupils. Apart from the sports the principal feature of the afternoon was the planting of a jubilee commemorative scarlet oak tree in the schoolgrounds. Mr Archibald B. Mahan, chairman of the Jubilee Committee, who addressed the gathering, thanked Mr George Edgar, chairman of the present School Committee for his gift of the tree, which was a most appropriate means of commemorating the events of the last two days. Mr D. G. Cain, who cordially endorsed Mr Mahan’s remarks, said that when the tree grew up the children who grew up with it would recall that it had been planted to mark the historic occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Rangitata Station School on August 2, 1886. Mr Cain then called on Mr Adam Chalmers, chairman of the first School Committee, to plant the tree, which he did amidst applause. A most appropriate gesture to both age and youth was the fact that as Mr Chalmers planted the tree it was held by Nellie Murphy, the youngest girl pupil at the school. The sports were then held, the various events providing amusement for both young and old. A grand jubilee ball held last night attracted a crowded attendance. The various sports events resulted as follow: First group, 1886-1902, men’s race: D. McNab 1, C. McNab 2. Women’s race, Mrs F. Harris 1, Mrs Downes 2. Second group, men’s race: S. J. Cain 1, L. Coulter 2. Women’s race, Mrs R. Scott 1, Mrs P. G. Scott 2. Third group, 1920-1936: Men’s race: G. Metcalf jnr 1, W. Metcalf 2. Women’s race: Mrs J. Hewson 1, Miss H. Chalmers 2. Married men’s race: Miles Metcalf 1, F. Priddle 2. Married women’s race: Mrs F. Priddle 1, Mrs J. Hewson 2. Visiting men’s race: J. Mahan 1, H. Gibson 2. Visiting women’s race: Mrs F. Priddle I. Miss W. Snell 2. Wheelbarrow race: F. Douglas and Miss McSweeney (passenger) 1, G. Metcalf and Miss Johnstone 2, W. Metcalf and Miss Palmer 3. Children’s races, boys: Donald Edgar 1, Hugh McNab 2. Girls’ race: Myrtle Kelland 1, Jean Edgar 2. Decorated car: Mr V. McCann 1. Most original vehicle: Mr G. Edgar 1. Fancy dress: Mrs S. Tate 1, G. Metcalf jnr 2 (pair of swaggers). Children’s decorated vehicle: Margaret Scott 1, Mary Scott 2, Bruce McNab 3.