TURAKINA SCHOOL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18787, 22 May 1923, Page 6

TURAKINA SCHOOL

OPENING CEREMONY. A PLEASING FUNCTION. PRESENTATION TO HEADMASTER. (Special to “Chronicle.”) Yesterday was a red letter day in the history of Turakina, when the new school that has for so long been badly needed, was opened’ by the Minister of Education, the Hon. C. J- Parr. :n the presence of a large gathering of residents from all parts of the district. The function took place at 2.30 p.m.. immediately aftbr the arrival of the mail train from the south. 'The Minister, who wag accompanied by Mis Parr, was met at tho school by Mr W. S. Glenn. M.P., and Messrs Collins and Hemingway (of the Wanganui Education Board) and by the members of the local committee. %

Mr B. P. Lethbridge, who, at the request of the Rev. Wilson (chja.rinan of the School Committee) presided, tendered a hearty welcome to Mr Parr, who, he said, had faithfully redeemed his promise to have the new school erected. He had much pleasure in asking him to declare the school open. l'he Hon. O. J. Parr, who wne »>- ceived with cheers, said it gave him great pleasure to come to Turakina, to open the school, which was a credit to tlio Education Board and its architect, Mr Hod'ge, who had succeeded in building the school at a cost of £230 below the estimate. The Minister urged the settlers to bear in mind the fact that the school was not the property of the Education Department or of the Education Board, but of the people themselves, and he asked them to see uiat they took a pride in it accordingly and had the grounds well laid out. Mr Lethbridge: We are going to rie that.

Continuing. Mr Parr said he would like to say a few words to the children before he concluded. He hoped tjiey would bear in mind the necessity of being accurate and thorough. It was no use knowing how to do a sum if. through carelessness, the answer was wrong. Above ail things, he hoped they would be thorough in all that they undertook. He uished them every success and hoped they would be a credit to their school. Mr W. S. Glenn, M.P., in a brief speech, congratulated the settlers on haying the excellent school which, ho said, was largely due to the persistent efforts of Mr Edward Newman, th< ir former representative in Parliament, and to tho Education Board. Mr Newman, in congratulating the committee and the settlers on the school, said he had been persistently badgered by the committee when he was their representative in Parliament, and he had at length induced Mr Parr to visit the old school. When he showed him what state the building was in. he had put is foot through it. He had done the same to the Sandon school, and as a result they had now a new building. (Laughter). He congratulated the committee on the % up-to-date school they' now pos-iessed and hoped they would see that the grounds were maue worthy of it. (Applause). Messrs W. A. Collins (chairman) and E. F. Hemingway, member of the Education Board, also spoke and oon-

gratulated the committee on having an up-to-date school. Mr Hemingway urged the scholars not to be parochial but to remember they were part and parcel of the British Empire, to whose Navy, “ Britain’s sure shield,” they owed a debt they would never adequately repay.

The Rev. Mr Wilson said he would like to thank the Minister for having attended to open the school, and the members of the Education Board, particularly Messrs Collins and Hemingway, the members of the Board for this district, for their efforts in obtaining the new school.

Before the proceedings terminated Ml Lethbridge said he bod a. very pleasing duty to perforin. Some little time age their headmaster, Mr Gabites, hid shown wonderful pluck. Whilst far from well he bad earned on until the end of the term and had then gone into hospital and spent his holidays there. The parents of the children attending the school felt they would not let the preseht event pass without showing in some tangible manner their appreciation of Mr. Gabites' services, and he would therefore ask him to accept a cheque from them with which to purchose something for Mrs. Gabites and himself. Mr. Parr said he would like to supplement Mr. Lethbridge’s remarks. The teacher was the kingpin on which the school rested. As was the teacher so was the school and the scholars. He urged the parents to render the peachers all the assistance in their power. Mr. Gabites, who was completely taken by surprise, said he could not find words in which to thank them for the presentation. He had merely done his duty and would say no more. (Applause). Cheers were then given for Mr. Gabites, the Minister, the Education Board, after which the party adjourned to the interior of the school where a bountiful afternoon tea was served. The new school which is a fine example of modern school architecture was designed by the Education Board’s architect. Mt. E. R. Hodge, and erected at a cost of £2533. £2OOO of which has been found by the Education Department and the balance by the Education Board out of its grant for building purposes.