NEW SCHOOL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2311, 15 March 1930, Page 5

NEW SCHOOL

AT TAOTAOROA. THE OFFICIAL OPENING. Yesterday was .an important one in the history of the Taotaoroa district, for it marked the official opening of the new school. In the early days when the whole of the Cambridge district was made up of several extensive estates the Taotaoroa •district included practically the whole -of Karapiro, and it had its original school, which was situated at the corner of what is now Tod’s farm. In later years the school was shifted to Karapiro aud pnee then the children •of the Taotaoroa and Buckland road

districts have found their education at Karapiro, and those of upper Buckland Toad at the Hinucra School. With the

steady progress of the Taotaoroa and

Ruckland road districts the need for a school at Taotaoroa has been felt severely, and for Seine ten years there has been an agitation which has at last become fruitful. . •. C The Official Opening. Tjhere was an attendance of about 10 at the opening in addition to the scholars about 20, among "those present being Mr C. H.,Clinkard, M.P. for Rotorua, Mrs Clinkard, and Mr F. Lye, M.P., and Mrs Lye, also Rev. C. W. and Mrs Clark, A pupil of the original Taotaoroa •school, Mr John Bruce, extended a hearty welcome to Mr and Mrs Clinkard, and to all the visitors and settlers. He sard it was a proud day for the

settlers of the district and they were x -pleased that Mr Clinkard had penetrated to the remotest part of his elector- ~ ate to open the new school. It stood as a monument to the progress of the district educationally, and could be re-

ferred to as part of the great progress being made in matters educational -throughout the Dominion. They should % be proud of their system of free education and that New Zealand was prac-

tically the first country in the ."world to place the present system before the people. Mr Bruce said he was pleased to also see Mr Lye present. Before the last election they had lost part of their territory to the Rotorua electorate. With due respect to the member for Rotorua, it was to be regretted for their community interests lay with Cambridge. They were really at the --t Ail-end of all interests. Although they were somewhat isolated they hoped to see their member more often in the Tuture. It was .encouraging to see such a gathering at the opening of their mew school. East Hiatory. In referring to the early education of the district Mr Bruce said Taotaoroa was one of the oldest settled districts in the Waikato. In 18T2 the first settlers came into the district, and for a number of years there were only a few settlers on the big estates. They came into the district full of hope and had laid the foundation of the present prosperous conditions. ' The first school in Taotaoroa was situated on the corner of Tod’s section. Later •on when the late Richard land policy took effect the big Taotaoroa estate was cut up, and a school was provided at Karapiro. In those days there were only half-time schools, the children being taken half-time at Karapiro :and likewise at Taotaoroa. R iferring -to the Dominion’s educational system, Mr Bruce said he thought the 'mthorities were launching out in the right direction by giving it an agricultural bias. Had this been done in earlier "years he did not think there would be amount of unemployment there is frt-day.‘ In paying a tribute to the •school’s master, Mr W. J. B. Hunter, late of Royal Oak school, Auckland, Mr Rruce said It was rather unique that Taotaoroa had always a male teacher in the early days, and they were proud that those teachers had gone far in their profession. .He welcomed R.ev. C. W. Clark, who was one of the first teach■ers at Taotaoroa, and mentioned others with the early days in Messrs C. W. Walker (one time headmaster •at Cambridge), Lewin Shepherd, of - Frankton Junction, and Edgeley, of Auckland. Mr Bruce concluded by remarking that now a school had been provided he hoped 'it would progress along with the settlers find their district. Mr Lye’s Remarks. After heaitily thanking the school • authorities for the opportunity to bo present, Mr Lye said they had to see Ho it that the education of the children in the rural districts was not neglected. He .was pleased to see a school at Taotaoroa. It was a beginning, and he reminded the settlers that some of the world’s most famous n\en had their

education in small out-baclc - schools. "There were prospects for the headmaster of Taotaoroa, and it appeared that had done,the right thing in getting a young energetic male teacher. Mr Lye wished the school and -its pupils the greatest measure of progress possible, and said his wish also equally

applied to the settlers of the Taotaoroa district.

Rev. C. W 7 Clark also spoke on similar lines, and wished the master, <the school and its pupils all possible success. He remarked that, in his opinion, it would be a sorry day for the eountry wlien centralisation of education became overdone. « • Mr Clinkard’s Congratulations.

Mr Clinkard in expressing pleasure at the opportunity given to meet the settlers, said it had to be appreciated that the people on the outskirts were entitled to representation in all things equally as much as those in the centres. He hoped lie would have the opportunity of meeting the settlers of Whitehall in the near future. Ho congratulated .the people on the presence of the new school, and urged them to now work for a School Committee. (At present the school is served by a local manager). With a committee the settlers had a voice in the election of educational representatives. Mr Clinkard said mention had been made of the isolation of Taotaoroa in the Rotorua electorate. He thought that after the next census there would be an alteration in the electoral boundaries. He was entirely in accord with' the references to the small schools. One realised the great responsibility of the destinies of the Dominion’s children when it was appreciated that there were 20,000 coming on every year. It was encouraging to see what was being done in the application of agriculture to the education syllabus, but he emphasised that there had to be a very careful and even compilation of the syllabus for the school children of today would occupy many and varied walks of life to-morrow, according to adaptation. If too great a bias was given in any direction then unemployment would continue in the future. After giving a most appropriate address specially to the children, Mr Clinkard turned the key and declared the new school open. During the course of the opening Mr Clinkard paid a tribute to the peisistencc of the local school manager, Mr F. Kelly, and congratulated him on his endeavours at last being rewarded. The School Buildings.

Built of wood the school proper is an up-to-date little structure of 20ft by 16ft, and consists of one room with a convenient porch running the length of the school-room. Suitable desks provide accommodation for 24 pupils. The school fittings are very complete, including wall blackboards, heating apparatus, wash-basins, etc. Ample ventilation is provided with windows on the cioss-ventilation system. The school has a large concrete path or slab on the north side with seating alongside the school, so that in fine weather in the winter time the children can have their lessons outside. Connected with a concrete path a short distance away is a conveniently fitted up shelter shed 6f 14ft x 10ft dimensions, while a reasonable distance away are conveniences. The school and outbuildings arc situated on a tlircc-acre section originally part of Mr J. C. Johnston’s property, the school site being on the main road about four miles from the Karapiro corner. At present 17 pupils are attending the school, and complete primary education is given. The school was actually opened on February 10th. It was built by Hamilton builders at a cost of about £7OO. The school grounds arc in fairly good order, as the result of two “working bees” by the settlers. After the school was opened yesterday all present were the guests of the district ladies at a sumptuous afternoon tea.

We heartily congratulate the settlers on their enterprise and trust that the progress of the school and district will continue. Children’s Races. Results of children’s races are as follows:—Open race (school children): Gladys Barrett 1, Irene Bruce and Jean Bruce (dead heat) 2. Girls race: Gladys Barrett 1, Irene Bruce 2, Olive Waugh 3. Boys’ race: Svd Barrett 1, H. Kelly 2, B. Norris 3. Dressing race: A team 1, B team 2. Tiny tots: Charm Kelly 1, Raymond Bruce 2, Tommy Bruce 3. Sack race: Wallace Johnson I, H. Kelly 2, B. Workman 3. Chinese get-up: -B. Workman and H. Kelly 1. Three-legged race: H. Kelly and T. Waugh 1, G. Barrett and O. Waugh 2. Married men’s race: F. Kelly 1, J. N. Todd 2, J. C. Johnson 3. Married ladies’ race: Mrs A. Bruce 1, Mrs T. Bruce 2. Single men: E. Gibbons 1, D. Thompson 2. Single ladies: Miss Harsant 1, Miss Barrett 2.