ST. STEPHEN'S NATIVE SCHOOL, KAIAPOL.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 23, 17 November 1874, Page 290

ST. STEPHEN'S NATIVE SCHOOL, KAIAPOL.

The Rev. G. P. Mutu has favoured us with a copy of the Press, from Christchurch, containing a long account of the festivities on the occasion of the celebration of the second anniversary of the above school on the 22nd of October last. We have not space for any lengthy extracts. The affair went off very successfully, and was fairly attended by European visitors. Great preparations for the day had been making for days, if not weeks past; and by the assistance of generous subscriptions, the committee of management were enabled to issue' an attractive programme for the sports and evening's entertainment, which they carried out in an exemplary manner. The festival committee was composed of the Rev. a. P. Mutu; Henry J. Reeves, schoolmaster; Joseph Huria; John Solomon; and Alex. McQuillan. No doubt the principal part of the work fell upon Mr. Reeves, the master of the school; but the other members of the committee performed their part with equal energy. The examination of the children showed a decided improvement and advancement in their studies and general conduct since last year, which reflects great credit on the master and mistress—Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. The visitors to the ground were in excess of last year, and the arrangements were better. On nearing the school, it was seen that, by the aid of bunting kindly lent by the captains of vessels in Lyttelton, strings of flags and flags on poles had been erected, giving the grounds quite a gay appearance. A rocket platform had also been put up, from which the fireworks were displayed, and a figure said by the Maoris to represent the " Dark Past," in the form of a man, was placed on the top, which figure, stuffed with gunpowder, was to be exploded as a finale. Near the school there was a circular enclosure for the sports, bounded with flags, and also a tent, in which the sale of refreshments to visitors was carried on. The schoolroom had been neatly decorated with greenery, which, with the large supply of maps on the walls, gave it an attractive appearance. Ranged along one end was a table containing the prizes to be presented to the scholars, and those to be competed for at the games. The prizes were a valuable lot, more so than usually seen at such gatherings, and the Government prize-books were so elaborately good as to excite the envy of European lads attending other schools. At the examination, twenty-one Maori scholars of both sexes were present. They were all clad in a uniform of blue tunics with scarlet sash. The decorum which they observed, and aptitude in answering the questions put by the master and the Rev. J. W. Stack, were indeed cheering. The courses in which the school was examined were geography, reading, spelling, object lesson on the balls, recita-

turns, singing, writing, and drill. The recitations (of H\ s Choice") were especially good, viz. that of Maata Pihawai, Te Hira Mutu, Hone Matene, Hana Horomona, Mere Horomona, and Wiremu -tlopi. The singing and other parts of the examination were very creditable. His Honor the Superintendent made the following entry m the remarks book:—" October 22nd, 1574. I was present at the examination of this school and was much pleased with the results which have been attained.— W. Rolleston, Superintendent." The examination being over, the Natives outside were called in. when they were addressed by His Honor, the Rev. G. P. Mutu, and the Rev. Te Kooti. We are sorry wc cannot find space for the speeches. In the afternoon the sports took place, at the conclusion of which the old Maoris gave a reminiscence of former times by showing the art of spear-throwing, which created more interest than all the rest of tl?e sports, and they were loudly cheered by the spectators at its conclusion. In the evening a tea meeting took place in the schoolroom, after which the prizes were distributed. Te Hira Mutu received a silver cup, presented by Mr. Urquhart, of Christchurch, for general proficiency. The Rev. J. P. Stack proposed, and the Rev. G. P. Mutu seconded, a vote of thanks to all the kind English friends who had contributed their gifts, and, by their presence, added to the success of the fete. The vote was carried by acclamation. The singing of the " National Anthem " brought the indoor part of the entertainment to a close. The bonfire and fireworks "were highly successful,. and delighted the Maoris.