DIAMOND JUBILEE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3423, 22 February 1936, Page 4

DIAMOND JUBILEE

HAPPY FUNCTION AT SCHOOL TRIBUTES TO PIONEERS The keynote of the Diamond jubilee celebrations of the Puke-rimu-Kaipaki School yesterday was the fine tribute paid to the pioneers of the district who took up the unbroken land there over sixty years ago. With a gathering of about five hundred present at the School, there could be traced the district’s history—from the original settlers to their descendants of the fourth generation, the tiny tots attending the school to-day. The function took the form of a re-union, and apart from the official ceremony, .many happy memories were revived in the together of those who were schoolday friends. About a dozen of the pupils who attended the school on the first day were present, to provide a complete link with the early days. “There are people here to-day whom I have not seen for thirty years,” stated one man, “and it is great to meet them again.” Before the ceremony commenced a photograph was taken of the original scholars present. They were: Mrs T. Robinson (Miss M. Fisher), Mrs H. Rhodes (Miss J. Fisher), Mrs G. Runciman (Miss May Wallace), Mrs W. Clark (Miss Mary Gane), Messrs J. S. Fisher, A. Caley, T. Galcy, W. Clark, J. M. Scott, A. W. Gane, H. H, Clark, M. Cowley and G. Cowley. A welcome to the visitors was extended by Mr A. M. Fisher, the chairman of the School Committee, who expressed pleasure at the large and representative attendance. He was particularly gratified to see so many ex-pupils present. The secretary, Mr T. McCarthy, read apologies from the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, and many other friends and ex-pupils who were unable to be present.,

Mr J. Primrose, of Hamilton, a member of the Auckland Education Board, apologised for the absence of Mr T. U. Wells, the chairman. He congratulated the school on attaining its 60th birthday, and extended best wishes for the future. Mr Primrose expressed his willingness to do all he could to help the scool and a progressive district. He remarked on the fact that the school roll was going down in numbers. * An Early Roll Miss Edmiston, a former teacher, then called the roll used in 1878, this being the earliest official record of those who attended the school. There were a number who answered the roll when their names were called. Those on the roll were:

George Atkinson, . Phoebe Bell, William Clark, Harry Clark, Alfred Caley, Thomas Caley, Mark Cowley, George Cowley, John Fisher, Jessie Fisher, Margaret Fisher, Mary Fitzgerald, Alfred Gane, Francis Gane, Ellen Gane, Mary Gane, Christina Gane, James Howie, Arthur Kusabs, Christopher James Parr, Mary Parr, John Scott, Jeannie Scott, William Wallace, Margaret Wallace, Marion Wallace.

On behalf of the Cambridge Borough, the Mayor, Mr C. H. Priestley, congratulated the district on a successful gathering. “Cambridge and the surrounding districts resemble one large family,” the Mayor continued, “and we should be very proud of the part of the world in which we live.”

A flag presented by the scholars who attended school on the first day was then hoisted by Mrs Bodes, to proclaim the jubilee above the school building.

Mr J. S. Fisher, another original scholar who now plays an important part in public affairs, sai/fl it was difficult for him to realise that sixty years had gone by, and he was taking part in the celebrations with mixed feelings. However, all residents of the district could be thankful that their lives had fallen in a very pleasant place. Many were children of the early pioneers and to these too deep a debt of gratitude could not be paid. The original settlers had raised a monument of prosperity from a wilderness of fern and scrub. “Those who have seen the district grow, must realise what a wonderful heritage we have received,” concluded Mr Fisher. Mr W. I. Bowyer, of Otorohanga, another member of the Education Board, said this was his first visit to the district and he paid a further tribute to the pioneers and also the present farmers for the fertile lands which he found on all sides. To the children'present, Mr Bow-

yer made a comparison of the conditions which existed for pupils sixty years ago and the facilities provided nowadays. He said he particularly watched the interests of country children as a member of te Education Board. Pleasure at meeting so many old friends with whom he went to school was expressed by Mr W. E. Clark, a first-day scholar. In referring to the wonderful country to which/ New Zealand has developed, he added his quota of praise to the pioneers. “We must always remember that it was those early settlers who made it possible to enjoy the pleasures of life to-day,” concluded Mr Clark. One of the most impressive functions was the planting side by side of two trees —one by Mr Alfred Caley, the oldest first-day scholar present and the other by little Graham McEldowney. This incident will live long in the memory of those present, and for the children particularly provide a lasting tribute to the founders of educational facilities in the district.

The cutting of the iced cake by Mrs W. Clark and Mr A. W. Gane concluded the ceremony, after which afternoon tea was served and a pleasant hour spent in reminiscences of earlier days. At a dance held in the Kaipaki Hall at night there was a large attendance A sports programme was provided for the children in the morning and results will appear in Tuesday’s issue.