TRIBUTE TO PIONEERS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 9817, 22 February 1936, Page 3

TRIBUTE TO PIONEERS

“WONDERFUL HERITAGE.” BCHOOL DIAMOND JUBILEE. CELEBRATIONS AT KAIPAKI, / “Those who have seen this country grow have had a great- privilege. There is no doubt that our forefathers have left for us a wonderful heritage," commented Mr J. S. Fisher, speaking at the diamond jubtfee celebrations of the Kaipaki-Pukerimu School yesterday. I" was on February 23 that the Pukerium School was opened, and yesterday, despite the showery weather, there was an attendance of over 500 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening. There was a large proportion of the first pupils of the school present, while several previous school teachers were also in attendance. Pupils who were at the school in 1876 and who were present yesterday were: —Mrs T. Robinson (Miss M. Fisher), of Roto-o-rangi, Mrs H. Rhodes (Miss J. Fisher), of Paterangi, Mrs G. Runciman (Miss May Wallace), of Papatoetoe, Mrs W. Clark (Miss M. Gane), of Hamilton, Messrs J. S. Fisher (Pukerimu), A. Caley (Otahuhu), T. Caley (Mt. Eden), W. E. Clark (Hamilton), J. M. Scott (Maungatautari), A. W. Gane (Pukerimu), H. H. Clark (Hamilton), M. Cowley, and G. Cowley (Pukerimu). A picnic was held in the school grounds in the morning when a jubilee sports meeting was held. In the afternoon there was a garden party in the beautiful grounds, a tasty afternoon tea, Including a large jubilee cake, being served. Apologies From Ministers. The present chairman of the school committee, Mr A. M. Fisher, extended a hearty welcome to the guests expressing keen pleasure at the large attendance. Included in the gathering were many old pupils of the school, present pupils, residents of the district, representatives of various other school committees, local bodies and the Auckland Education Board. Apologies for absence were received from the' iHon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agri-culture and from many ex pupils from various parts of the Dominion. Keen appreciation of the Invitation extended to him was voiced by Mr J. Primrose, a member of the Auckland Education Board, who conveyed an apology and good wishes from Mr T. U. Wells, the chairman of the board. Mr Primrose referred to the wonderful improvement in the school surroundings since -when he first saw it, remarking that this was only to be expected in such a progressive district. He promised to assist the school committee in every possible way in his capacity as member of the Eden Board. Although the first school roll cannot be found the 1878 school roll has been kept and this was called out by Miss J. H. Edmison, who was head teacher from 1890 to 1893, those who were present answering in the usual manner “ Present, Miss.” Miss Edmison was presented with two beautiful bouquets by two present pupils of the school. Congratulations on the wonderful gathering were extended by Mr C. H. Priestley, Mayor of Cambridge, who stated that whereas In many centres it was a case of town versus country, in the Cambridge area the town and country were like one big family. lie assured the gathering that the Cambridge Borough Council would continue to have the interests of the country people at heart. He also paid a tribute to the pioneers of the district who had done so much for the area. Jubilee Flag Hoisted. Mr Rhodes was then called upon lo hoist the jubilee flag presented lo the school by the first pupils, spontaneous cheering breaking out as the flag fluttered below the Union Jack. “ Very rarely Is sufficient recognition given to the pioneers whose courage and ability paved the way for advancement that has been recorded in the Cambridge district,” commented Mr J. S. Fisher. “ I can remember the time when this present school site was nothing but ti-tree and gorse and most of the district was the same. The pioneers soon 'had the ground in order and they have left a wonderful heritage for the rising generation. The Waikato is recognised as one of the best districts in New Zealand ana Pukerimu is the garden of the Waikato.” Mr W. E. Clark thanked the organisers of the function for the opportunity offered to renew school acquaintances. “We have a wonderful country and we owe a debt of gratitude to'the pioneers who made our many present day facilities possible,” added Mr 'Clark. “ Many tourists have said that New Zealand has the most beautiful scenery in the world but the best feature of the country is the splendid farms laid out by our forefathers.” Mr A. Caley, the oldest, of the first pupils and Graham McEldowney, the youngest present pupil, then planted two trees in the school ground the trees being donated by one of the first pupils. The birthday cake was cut by*Mrs W. Clark and Mr A. W. Gane. The 1878 roll was:—George Atkinson, Phoebe Bell, William Clark, Harry Clark, Alfred Caley, Thomas Caley, Mark Cowley, 'George Caley, John Fisher, Jessie Fisher, Margaret Fisher, Mary Fitzgerald, Alfred Gane, Francis Gane, Ellen Gane, Mary Gane, Christina Gane, James Howie, Arthur Kusabs, Christopher James Parr, Mary Parr, John Scott, Jeannie Scott, William Wallace, Margaret Wallace, Marion Wallace. Sports Results. The results of the children’s sports High Jump.—R. Garmonsway, 1; R. Cunningham. 2; W. Scarle, 3. i OOYds. Boys (12 and over). —K. Walters, 1; A. Weal. 2: W. Scarle, 3. 1 OOYds. 'Girls (II and over). —R. Harvey, 1 ; B. Cowie and E. Searle, dead-hcat, 2. 75Yds. Girls (8 and under 12). M. Fisher, ! : H. Douglas, 2; D. Weal, 3 ' 75Yds. Boys (8 and under II).- .f. Cowie, I: P. McEldowney, 2; N. Garm J OOYds. Boys’ Gun. —K. Wallers, !; 75Yds. Girls’ Cup.—D. McPherson, oOYds. Boys and Girls under S).— E. Harvey. 1; D. McPherson, 2; J. , Douglas. *3. 440Yds. Boys’ Cup.—A. Cunmag-1

ham, 1; P. McEldovvney, 2; M. Garmon sway, 3. IOOYds. Girls’ Gup.—E. Searle, l; N. Fisher, 2; H. McDonald, 3. IOOYds. Boys’ Championship.—K. Walters, 1; B. Garmonsway, 2; R. Cunningham, 3. Girls’ Three-legged Race.—J. Gowie and E. Searle. 1 ; R. Harvey and B. Cowie, 2. Tiny Tots’ Race.—J. Searle, 1 ; B. Cowie, 2; M. Douglas, 3. 220Yds. Boys’ Cup.—J. Cowie, i; M. Garmonsway, 2; A. Cunningham, 3. Girls’ Sack Race. —H. McDonald, 1; B. Cowie, 2. Boys’ Sack Race. —W. Searle. 1; J. Lynds, 2. Open Championship, Boys and Girls, —K. Walters, i: R. Cunningham, 2; R. Garmonsway, 3. Consolation Race, IOOYds. Girls. — V. Costello, 1; S. McCarthy, 2; J. King, 3. 880Yds. Boys’ Cup.—J. Cowie, 1; A. Cunningham, 2; V. Prier, 3. Consolation Boys (12 and over). — W. Scott, 1; R. McEldowney, 2; E. Newcombe, 3. Consolation Boys (under 12). —H. Harvey, 1; T. Searle, 2; B. Tarr, 3. Skipping.—Ruth Harvey, 1; Joan Cowie, 2; Beryl Cowie, 3. Chain Stepping (Old Girls). —Miss R. Fisher. Old Boys.—Edwin Searle. Men’s Race (over 21). —C. Cowley, 1; V. Lynds, 2. Men's Race (under 21). —D. Steenson, 1.