DISTRICT NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14716, 4 August 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS

MOTUMAOHO. Opening of New School-room. Ideal weather favoured the opening ceremony of the new room at our school on Wednesday, 27th inst. A large number of parents and friends gathered; among the number present being Mr and Mrs Marshall (Mayor and Mayoress of Morrinsville), who had been asked to take part in the function. Mr Geo. Gibbs (chairman), Miss Henderson (secretary), and Messrs J. Chapman, E. Harris, and Leggutt (members of the Motumaoho School Committee) were also present. Mr Gibhs presided, and after a few remarks lie introduced to the gathering Mr Marshall, who had kindly agreed to perform the opening ceremony.

Mr Marshall expressed his pleasure at being present and said that he felt honoured at having been asked to assist at tile function. In the-course Of his speech he gave some interesting particulars of the growth of the diSrtrict. He remembered when there was not a house between the Morrinsvillc Hotel and Tauwhare. He congratulated the school on the fine site it possessed, and said that some of the honour for the foresight in choosing such a. site was due to the Morrinsvillc Committee. In addressing the children he said that should any of them ever be on a school committee when they were grown up, anil in a new district where a school was being arranged for, they should see that ample grounds were provided. He then asked Ihe chairman that in honour of the occasion a half holiday might be granted the children. At the conclusion of his remarks Mr Marshall foimally turned the key and declared the building open. A bouquet was then presented to Mrs Marshall, who, in acknowledging the tribute, stated that it was the first function she hud attended in the capacity of Mayoress and she was very pleased that the first should be at Motumaoho. The chairman then called on Mr Bull, a member of Ihe Morrlnsville School Committee, to say a few words. Mr Butt congratulated the peopie ot Motumaoho upon the progress of the district, which made the additions to the school necessary, lie then spoke on the importance of moral training and the need for the children to be taught by their parents their fluty to God and their fellows, and the value of goodncess, a much more worthy thing than cleverness. lie also referred to his pleasure at seeing the flag flying, and expressed the hope that the children would ever be taught to honour that flag, and that their pride 'n Hie Kmpii'4 it represents would never fade.

At Iho request of the chairman. Mr Marshal] planted an oak tree in the school grounds to commemorate the occasion.

The school children and visitors wore entertainer] to lunch, and after three cheers for Mr and Mrs Marshall. the children were dismissed for the rest of the day, the committee having arranger! to grant them the half-clay asked for.