Papawai Native School.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1798, 22 February 1886, Page 2

Papawai Native School.

OPENING CEREMONY AND DINNER TO EUROPEANS.

About four years ago the native school at Papawai was opened with some ceremony, a large number o£ Greytown residents and the children of the Greytown public school taking part in it. Mr C. D. Satchell, who died some time afterwards, was the first teacher, and he was highly esteemed by the Maoris. It was believed that his death was caused by catching cold in walking from Greytown to the school and spending the day in the draughty building. The necessity of a teacher’s residence the school was felt to be a necessity, and as the Maoris had set apart a piece of land close by MrVarnham’s residence, the Native Department lately erected a new schoolbonse and teacher's residence combined. The opening of this second school took place on Friday last, and great preparations were made by the natives for the event. By the morning train from Wellington there arrived the Rev Mr Habene, the In-spector-General of Schools, accompanied by Mrs Habens, also Mr Pope, the Inspector of Native Schools. Among the many visitors we noticed Messrs Buchanan and Beetbam, M.H.H.’s, Major Bunny, Mr P. H. Wood, Mayor of Greytown. Messrs C. Phillips, Cuff, W. Bidwill, J. Tully, P. Cotter, sen,, W. Mitchell—the three last-named gentlemen being probably the oldest settlers present who took up their abode among the Wairarapa natives. About 12 o’clock the elder children of the Greytown eohool, numbering ICO, arrived on the ground under the command of Mr Porritt, the bead roaster, and the assistant teachers. A few of the Matarawa school children were also present, being accompanied by Mr Ponsonby their teacher. It was with some difficulty that the visitors, in addition to these above mentioned, found room in the small schoolroom. and it was decided to formally open the school and then adjourn to the large native meeting house not far off.

The natives were represented by Mr Wi Mahupnku, but the attendance of the native children was not large. They appear to have got out of the way, perhaps through bash fulness, seeing such a large company. Mr Habeas said he begged to announce on behalf of the Government that toe school was now open and he hoped the natives would accept the erection of the building as a proof of their interest in the Maori race ; he also expressed the hope that the natives would do their best to ensure a good attendance of children. He was pleased to see such a complete and well appointed school. The Greytown school children then sang a piece and the c mpany adjourned. Many of the visitors to Papawai on Friday expressed surprise to find that the Maoris had erected such a large meeting house there. The size of the large room is 110 feet by 60 feet, the total length of the building being 120 feet. In this spacious room the tables were laid, and the spread was a really good one, and would have done credit to any European Hotel. The late Manihera’s wife, assisted by several dusky damsels, bad arranged everything with scrupulous care, (tnd a number of young natives, with towels over their shoulders, waited upon the guests with all the alacrity of city waiters. The beautiful supply of fruit which graced the tables was from the garden of Mr Burch, and this lady helped considerably towards the success of the large gathering. Upon entering the the building the visiting school children were ranged on either side and were served with bread and cheese, cake, biscuits and tea. They were then drawn up in the centre of the building and sang some of their pieces very creditably both as to time and tune. Mr Bunny, on behalf of the Maoris, thanked the children for their music and said if was very gratifying to see so many European children present to assist in the opening ceremony. The young folks were then dispersed and the adults sat down to the excellent lunch provided for them, Mr Wi Mahnpuku occupying the chair. After the viands had been discussed the 14 korero ” began ; Mr C. J. Jury interpreting the Maori into the European tongue.

Mr Wi Mahapuku, who presided, rose and said it gave him much pleasure to see so many European ladies and gentlemen present at the opening of the school. The land (400 acres), upon which the school stood, had been given by their ancestors for educational purposes, and they were all glad that a new school had been put up. He had an idea that one large school for the native children in the Wairarapa would be the best; he even thought it would do for the whole Wellington district. Too many scholos, he thought, were not good, for too much money was spent upon them, and therefore he would like to see one large school. He thought it should be a boarding school where the children should be under European influence and teaching altogether, and this would save them going home among their own friends. He had heard it said that the native children could not learn like Europeans, and this was why he wanted the Government to put up a building suitable for all the children living in the Wairarapa. Mr John Manihera gave words of welcome to all present. Ha referred to his father, Manihera. now dead, and of others of their people, who had passed away. His father had always taken a great interest in the education of the native children, and it was the question that was thought mnch about by all the natives of the present day. They had flour mills, schools, aud churches, bat he would like to see a building erected sufficiently large to accommodate all the children in Wellington. Applications had been made (or a native school in the Lower Valley and at Gladstone. It would be hard on the Government to pay for so many schools, and therefore, he thought one large boarding school would be the best.

Great anxiety was depicted upon the faces of several gentlemen present lest they should not be in time (or the afternoon train to Featberston aud Wellington, and as there were but a few minutes to spare, Mr H. Runny rose and said Mr Beetham, Mr Pope and myself, have lo return by this afternoon's train, I thank yon for the way in which you have entertained us, and I hope it wid not be the last time I shall meet you here.

Mr Beetham, said : Ladies and gentlemen we have to go, but I must express the gratification I have felt in being present to-day. I regret the absence of old friends, especially the lata Manihera, who always took a warm interest in the education of the young. A large school has been spoken of. It is a subject which must be approached carefully. There were many parents who preferred to keep their children at home, and not send them away. I hope at some future time to be with you again.

Mr Pope, Inspector of Native Schools, next said a few words in the Maori tongue, and those gentlemen left.

The Rev Mr Habeas, Inspector-General of Schools, thanked the Maoris for their kind entertainment, and said it had given him much pleasure in being present. He had not bad a long acquaintance with them ; four years ago he visited Papawai, and he then made the acquaintance of the late Manihera. Hi hoped his spirit in the matter of education would be manifested by those who succeeded him. He (Mr Uabens) was glad that the Natives valued the importance of education for their children He could ssy that the Maoris made as much progress as the children in the European schools. His advice was not to think too little of the advantages of the school they had at Papawai ; ths master who had been sent to them was a tried master ; he had lived end worked in a Maori district, and was on the happiest terms with the chief and people, and the Government thought be would be a very successful master. They had spoken of a boarding school. Of this he could not say anything in positive terms. It must be understood that the Government provides education, but not house and food. The Government provided instruction for Maori and Pskeha, There were boarding schoola attended by Pakeha children, bat the parents had to pay for their keep, and the Maoris would hardly ('fee tq ask the Government to trpat their

children differently. If the Maoris would provide the houseroom and the food, the Government would send teachers for all the children who would attend. He would represent to the Government that this matter had been brought up at this meeting. He hoped that the children would be sent regularly to school, so that they should get the greatest advantages. The school would be open on Monday, at 10 o’clock. He would like to write the names of the children in the roll book before he left. In conclusion, the Rev gentleman expressed the good will of the Government towards the Maori people, and on behalf of Mrs Habeas (who was present) and himself, returned thanks for their generous hospitality. Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.3., said when the Europeans cape among the Natives of the Wairarapa years ago a hearty welcome was extended to them, and these Europeans, in many eases, were the fathers and mothers of many present there that day. The same was true with regard to the Natives and their parents. The Maoris there could pride themselves with having lived happily with the Europeans. Roads and bridges and railways had also sprung up amongst them through their intercourse. The Europeans may not always have done what they ought to have done, but the Natives would acknowledge that the Europeans bad brought many benefits in their train. Though he was comparatively a new chum among them be bad on many occasions to thank the Natives for their kind feeling towards him. Reference had been made to Manihera’s father. To the speaker’s personal knowledge he bad always taken a deep interest in this school, and he regretted that he was not there with them now. He (the speaker) would ask the Natives to realise that the Government and the population of New Zealand were as anxious to see the Natives educated as the Europeans—that they wished to put the natives on the same level. But the Natives must take a vigorous stand and get their children to attend the school and (as Mr liabens said) appreciate the advantages of education. The proposed boarding school was an important question and no definite answer could that dsy be given, but he would promise that no effort on his part would be wanting to forward the education of the Native children. He thanked them for their kindly welcome.

Mr Wi Mahupuku hoped Mr Habens and the members of Parliament would do all they could to get the school he proposed. Some schools had 9, some 10, and some 20 children. It was better in his opinion that there should be one school and so save a large expenditure of money.

Mr Habeas said he perfectly understood the position.

Mr Buchanan said he had forgotten to mention one little idea. Some assistance was needed in connection with the school and several ladies had suggested a soiree in aid. He knew if the ladies took the matter up they would make it a success. The company then dispersed and several of the Natives treated the vi-itors to a war dance on the platform of the building. Before Mr Habens left he enrolled 29 soholars, and we believe there are Bor 10 more who were not present. Mr F. H. Brittain, who has lately been appointed teacher to the school, has excellent testimonials as to bis teaching ability. He was for two years in the Napier High School as an assistant teacher, and the headmaster, Mr John Campbell, bears testimony to his good qualifications. We have also seen a very favorable notice of his work at the Meanee School by the Native Inspector, and at the Park Vale School, by Mr Lee, the Inspector of European schools. Since he took up his residence at Papawai he has visited all the European families in the neighborhood, and several children who have been walking in to the Oreytown School will now attend the school at Papawai. The natives appear to take to the new teacher, and we hope he may be successful in his work among them.