MANY NOTABLE VISITORS ATTENDED YESTERDAY’S T.M.G.C. BREAK-UP

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 December 1949, Page 3

MANY NOTABLE VISITORS ATTENDED YESTERDAY’S T.M.G.C. BREAK-UP

There was quite a distinguished gathering at the annual break-up and prize-giving ceremony of the Turakina Maori Girls’ College held in the beautiful school-grounds at Marton yesterday afternoon in warm sun. shine. Several hundred friends, expupils and parents from all parts of New Zealand attended the function, but it was not just an ordinary breakup ceremony. It held a greater significance. It meant the severing of a strong link with the college for Miss E. M. Kinross, principal, and Miss E. M. Truman, domestic science teacher and matron, who were retiring after 30 years’ faithful and diligent service and many came to express their appreciation and extend to them best wishes for a happy retirement. The Rev. James Robertson. B.A. minister of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Marton, presided and also present were the Very Rev. J. G. Laughton, C.M.G. (Whakatane) superintendent of the Presbyterian Maori Missions and Mrs. Laughton (an ex- ! pupil of the college), Rev. J. Starnes j (Edgecombe), a member of the N.Z. | Maori Missions Committee, Rev. C. K. j Crump, of the New Hebrides, Jack I Tavimasoe, a native teacher, of i Nguna, Rev. Manu Bennett (Feilding) son of the Bishop of Aotearoa, Sisters May (Nuhaka) and Edith (Ohope) members of the Maori Missions Staff, Sister I. Hobbs (Ratana Pa) a Methodist Maori missionary Sister Heeni Wharemaru, principal of the Te Rahuri Maori Girls’ Hostel at Hamilton, Mr. E. B. Gordon M.P. for Rangitikei and Mrs. Gordon and Mr. Kereamo Tengako (Halcombe) chief of the Kurahaupo canoe. Also present were five ex-pupils of the school who were enrolled when the college was first opened in 1905 by thoj.hen Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon. They were Mesdames F. Takarangi, L. Sutherland, R. Fillips, H. Thompson and R. Walker (all of Wanganui). j In welcoming the visitors Mr. I Robertson said it was very pleasing to 1 see that the college had so many | friends who realised what fine work I was being accomplished at the school. • The college he said presented a unique opportunity to. influence the life of the Maori people. For three-quarters of an hour the pupils of the school entertained in 1 their usual bright and competent I manner with action songs, single and j double poi, and chants which were appreciated by the large audience. | The address was delivered by Mr. , Laughton while Mr. Bennett, representing the Maori race, also spoke on ; the influence of the college. Mrs. . Laughton presented the prizes. Presentations. I Speakers referred in glowing terms [to the magnificent work both Miss Kinross and Miss Truman had accomplished during their period of 30 years with the college and said that this work would last and still bear fruit in after years. I On behalf of the local college executive, the Wanganui Presbytery and the P.W.M.U., Mr. Robertson asked Miss Kinross and Miss Truman, to accept cheques. Presentations were also made by Sisters May and Edith on behalf of the Maori Mission, Staff. Miss Kinross was the recipient of a crystal table lamp and crystal vase and Miss Truman a silver mounted caserole and crystal fruit bowl. Congratulations were also extended to Miss M. Mitchell and Miss L. Galloway upon their appointment as principal and matron respectively. Both have already given many years of effective, faithful service, Miss Mitchell having been on the staff for 14 years and Galloway for six years. Prize List. The following awards were made: Gold medallist: School and House Dux, 1, Form VI, Hohipeka Hughes. Form VI: 2nd. aggregate scripture, latin, history, Fanny Murray. Form VI: 3rd aggregate, Maori science, Tuti Aranui. Foil. V: Daphne Papuni 1, Margaret Paiki 2, Lucy Takurua 3. Form IV: Raiha Renata 1, Martha Te Rangi 2, Rang! Hiko 3. Form III: Susan Harding 1, Geneva Paul 2, Pauline Broughton 3. Scripture prizes, senior division; Fanny Murray 1, Hohipeka Hughes and Lucy Takurua equal 2. Form IV: Sophie Shortland 1, Rangi Hiko 2. I Form 111, Susan Harding 1, Pauline I Broughton 2. House prizes, seniors: Hohi Hughes 11, Hana Robinson 2. Juniors: House Dux, Pearl Grant; Katie Waihape 2. Sewing Prizes: Seniors, Form VI, Hohi Hughes 1, Hana Robinson 2. Form V, Daphne Faithfull 1, Margaret Paiki 2. Form IV, Annie Tipene 1, Myrtle Cairns 2. Form 111, Geneva Paul 1, Gwen Koia 2. Cooking prizes, seniors: Margaret Paiki 1, Daphne Faithfull 2. Form IV, Rangi Hiko 1, Martha Te Rangi and Myrtle Cairns equal 2. Form 111, Katie Waihape 1, Geneva Paul 2. Special prizes for helpfulness: Hohipeka Hughes, Alice Koia, Hine Teka, Kiriwehi Kohu, Gwen Koia. Special prizes for gardening; Hazel Te Whatu, Alice Koia, Pauline Reweti, Katie Waihape. Pauline Broughton. Special prizes for work in Girls’ Singing Club: Doris Matangi, Lucy Takurua, Catherine Tukiwaho, Hine Teka. Sports prizes: Lucy Takurua, Catherine Tukiwaho, Margaret Paiki, I Gwen Koia. | Music prizes: Seniors, Pauline i I Reweti 1, Maude George 2, Hohi Hughes 3. Intermediate, special, (for most outstanding progress in music), Doris Matangi. Lucy Takurua 1, Rangi Hiko 2. Junior, Catherine Tukiwaho 1, Queenie Ranginui 2. Special prize for poultry keeping: Te Auta Whetu. Bibles presented by Mr. A. Govenlock to girls leaving after a three or four year course: Hohipeka Hughes, Fanny Muray, Tuti Aranui, Hana Robinson, Mary Pukepuke, Lvy Takurua, Catherine Tukiwaho, Doris Matangi. Moana MOko, Margaret Paiki, Alice Koia, Ethel Lewis.