KAIPAKI'S NEW SCHOOL.

Waipa Post, Volume XIX, Issue 1103, 9 June 1921, Page 8

KAIPAKI'S NEW SCHOOL.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF SCHOOL. '■ VISIT BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Kaipaki had a red-letter day on Wednesday, the occasion being the opening of the new school by tne Minister of Education, the Hon. C. J Parr. Among others present were: tht Hon. J. Fisher. M.L.C; Mr J. A, Young M.P.; the Mayor of Cambridge (Mr S. Lewis); Mr R. Fisher, exchairman of the Waipa County Council; Mr E. J. Edwards, chairman of the Ohaupo Town Board; Mr J. S. Fisher, former pupil of the school; Mr F Cunningham, chairman of tne school committee; Mr W. H. Murray, headmaster Kaipaki school and other representative public men, together with parents of the scholars and others interested in the development of the district which is one of the most progressive farming areas in the, Waikato. The new school, situated at the corner of the Ohaupo-Oambridge RoaVl, is a compact well built modern building of attractive design with the latest equipment, due regard being givi en to proper light and ventilation. It has been built to .supersede the old school at Pukerimu a short distance away which had done justice for many years. It was at this school that the present Minister received his early education. His visit on the occasion was, in his official capacity as Minister of Education, a particularly interesting one, while it served the additional advantage of meeting many of his old friends and this added Ito the pleasantness of the gathering. ' Drawn up outside the school under the charge of the. headmaster, Mr Murray, the scholars (numbering over 50) presented a pleasing scene, the flying of the Union Jack indicating loyalty, which the Minister in various ways desires toemphasise and to extol. Around, too, the company, including many old settlers and pioneers, and also the' parents of scholars, foregathered. The afternoon sun dispelled any dullness to the official ceremony and helped to brighten the day considerably. Mr F. Cunningham, on behalf of the local school committee, in formally welcoming the Minister to the district called upon the Hon. J. Fisher to address them. In recalling the experiences of the early day- he mentioned that when application was made to the then government for assistance notification was received that when the committee had sufficient land and built a school then they would send a teacher. ' "Things were different nowadays," added th speaker. They had to face the question of a school, because there was no other school in the Pukerimu district, except one at Ohaupo, and Cambridge, which was difficult of access. Well, they went into the bush and'built their school, and those wbo survive look upon that building with a good deal of affection. Making brief reference" to the fact that the Minister received his early education at the old school, the speaker said that the visit there that day in his official capacity and especially that he had come back as an "old boy" added to the pleasure of the occasion. The Hon. Mr Parr said the speaker was deserving of every credit for the way ■in which he had worked up to his present position. He felt sure he promised to be a real good Minister of 'Education. (Hear, hear). Mr Robert Fisher in expressing the pleasure of being present on such an auspicious occasion, recalled his first association with the district over 55 years ago and in congratulating the Minister on the high position he had attained spoke of the pleasure it must be for Mr Parr's father to be also present. The Minister had started well 'and he felt sure Mr Parr would go a ldng way before he stops. (Hear, hear). The Mayor of Cambridge (Mr S. Lewis) offered the congratulations of his Borough to the school committee and residents of that progressive district. The Borough 'of Cambridge depended upon the future of their town on the advance of the

progressive district and when they ' saw such evidences of prosperity, and such a fine school they, in Cambridge, could look forward to a continuance of prosperity. That occasion was unique and it was our honour to be associated with the opening of that school by one who had been an old scholar of the Pukemiru •school. Mr J. S. Fisher, an old pupil jf the school, also offered his congratulations, and in a reminiscent mood spoke of his early association with the Minister when a boy. The -scholars, of the present clay received the blessings of better education and he hoped they would not fail to take advan tage of them and to do their duty in life so as to be worthy of the advantages they now had by present day education. Mr B. J. Edwards, chairman of the Ohaupo'Town Board, in a pleasant speech congratulated the school committee on the erection of such an excellent school, which spoke well for the prosperity of the district. It was with much pleasure that he joined in offering his welcome to the Minister.

The headmaster, Mr Murray, said it was a pleasure to welcome Mr Pan*, and when they realised that he was a pupil of the school it was possible that the boys and girls of that school could also attain to an exalted position. He regarded it a great privilege to teach, for upon their influence as teachers depended the making or marring of the characters of those committed to their charge. i Mr J. A. Young M.P., on behalf of the district, extended to the Minister a very hearty welcome and expressed the pleasure of also seeing his (Mr Parr's) father present with him. Speaking to the scholars Mr Young reminded them that the future of the country and the district ■ rested with ~ them. The position held by the Minis- ' ter was the highest and most important, and in urging them to dp their best Mr Young said it was quite possible for them to rise and to occupy an important position in the affairs of the country. While the teacher had an important part to play, he impressed upon them to cultivate a good character which was so necessary in life and in this connection reminded them that the Minister of Education had

proved himself a man oi character and the people had entrusted him to fill the high position he now did. Mr Young then handed to the Minister a silver key suitably inscribed and asked him to accept it in memory of the occasion and to formally open the school.

The Hon. Mr. Parr then formally declared the school open to the children of the district/ In doing so he said he could scarcely express the pleasure he felt in coming to Kaipaki —"back to the place of my birth—to the place where, I spent my earliest years—and to the place, of which I have the pleasantest of memories and recollections," said Mr Parr. It was a real pleasure to see the oldest friend I have in this world, the Hon. John Fisher, his brother, Mr Robert Fisher, and his son Mr J. S. Fisher.

Referring to the changed conditions, when compared with the early pioneering days, the Hon Mr Parr said more self-help, self-reliance and independence was necessary. The best country and the best people are those who help themselves—that spirit makes a country great. Many things, continued the speaker, 'are lacking today. It can truthfully be said that wz are getting as good and sound and liberal 'education to-day as in any part of the British Dominions. There is no more efficient system in any country than you find in New Zealand, to-day and there is no country where the parents are so keen to take advantage of the opportunities which the Government gives than those in New Zealand. So keen are the farmers and people of the cities to get some better form than elementary education that about sixty per cent who pass through the sixth standard go further and take a high school course. Such a privilege is not attained in any other part of the world. Education is unquestionably the greatest asset you can give your children. You may give them riches, but these may be' lost in a night, but education, after all, wa s the greatest of life's assets. Speaking of success in life (to which some reference had been made to his own achievements) when any life was examined, said the speaker, it wouia be found that the cause of success was to be found in the spirit of work Some said it was good luck o'fortune, but he say that the real cause of any success was found in work, and the spirit of work should be cultivated. There is too much indulgence to-day—too much spirit of doing things slovenly—too much lack of diligence. The country which produced a people who did not work would soon be held by a more vigorous people who would take their place. You have to see to it that you do not get lazy. He exhorted all to emulate the spirit of those early pioneers. Paying a high tribute to the teachers of the country who did so much to, mould the minds of the little ones who were to be the citizens of the future, the speaker said he "took off his hat" to the teachers whose office was such an important one to hold. He hoped during his tenure of office to see that those entrusted to teach were of strong character and well equipped for the position. The opening of fche school was the signal for cheers which were heartily given.