CLAREVILLE MAORI COLLEGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8944, 19 December 1907, Page 5

CLAREVILLE MAORI COLLEGE.

BREAKING-UP DAY

AN INTERESTING FUNCTION

(Special Reporter^)

Yesterday was breaking up day at Clareville Maori College—au institution established during the last few years in the well-known residence ouce presided over by the late Lady Tancred. The situation of the College on the Gladstone-road, about six miles from Carterton aud a similar distance from Masterton, is au exceptionally flue oue. The two storey buildiiiig is attractive in design, aud being spacious aud furnished with pleuty of rooms is well adapted for the purpose to which it is applied. The lawu aucl plautatiou iv front are well kept, aud the selection of choice trees displaying a unique variety of form and foliage, attest, convincingly the cultured taste of the original occupier. Vehicles of different kinds brought together a large gathering of well-dressed visitors, chiefly ladies, who were welcomed by Mr Comptou the Principal and Mrs Compton.

A pleasing feature of the function was the way iv which the various denominations were represented, amoug the assemblage being the Revs. Youug, Thompson, Elliott, of Cartertou, aud Compton, of Pahiatua. Tea aud refreshments were dispensed under the shade of the trees, after which the prizes—a collection of very handsome aud valuable books—were presented to the pupils and students who had scored sufficiently at the College. Mr W. Moore, Mayor of Cartertou, complimented the Maori youths who, as students, had distinguished themselves and gave them some good advice, asking them in return for the solicitude of their teachers aud frieuds to make a good use of their opportunities. Mrs Moore, the lady Mayoress, distributed tne prizes, a portion of the day's programme which was punctuated with hearty applause. Mr Hogg, M.P., who was asked to make a few remarks, said he had no wish to poach on the preserves of au esteemed Parliamentary colleague who was absent at the opening of au importaut bridge. He referred in complimentary terms to the natural ability and receptivity of the Maoris, as a race, ancl he asked the young people, as they valued life itself, to cultivate habits of iudustry and avoid the pitfalls of a morbid civilisation. Speaking of Mr Ngata, M.P., as a shining example of well-developed attainments, he said he was delighted to learn that this gentleman was being afforded an opportunity of reducing to practice his ideas respecting the best method of improving the position of the Maori, and he had no doubt, the experiment on which he was engaged would astonish some of the Pakeha settlers.

The Rev. R. Young, who was asked to address the assemblage, made some well-timed observations in vindication of the work among the Native race, which the College, founded by the Anglican Church, was performing. These institutions were endeavouring, he said, to improve the moral, mental and industrial characteristics of a people who represented "Nature's noblemen.'' He expressed much pleasure at the sentiments of the previous speakers, and the reference to Mr Ngata with whom he was well acquainted, and said that if such places as the To Aute aud other Maori Colleges could turn out such students it would be a glorious thing for the Maori race. Songs, to pianoforte accompaniments, were rendered by the Revs. Messrs Compton and Thompson, Mr Moore, and Mrs Te Tau, who had to respond to an enthusiastic encore for her splendid rendition of "Home! Sweet Home !" in the Maori language.