JUBILEE OPENING

Te Ao Hou, July 1956, Page 38

JUBILEE OPENING The opening of the Chapel last December served to mark the fiftieth jubilee of the college and the close of the first hundred years of Maori Mission work by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The first eight pupils were in residence in the manse at Turakina in 1905. The building was opened that year by the Rt Hon R. J. Seddon. In 1928 the present school at Marton replaced the manse. Its present capacity is 56 pupils. At first the college offered only a primary school course but after the transfer to Marton the school gradually became wholly secondary. After 1940, the girls began sitting for the school certificate examination. The main object of the school however, in

the words of the principal, Miss M. Mitchell, is still to teach the girls to become good Christian homemakers. Pen and ink drawing by Eric Lee-Johnson, of the building in Turakina where the college was housed from 1905 to 1928. Conducted in brilliant sunshine, the opening celebration attracted many hundreds of visitors who thronged the college grounds in an informal manner and then congregated in the chapel precincts to welcome the guests of honour. The Hon Mrs Hilda Ross and members of the official party were received in traditional style by the women elders who, as the party advanced, receded before them—slowly leading them on to the marae. And here, Mr Ngakohu Pera, Chief representing the Matatua canoe, voiced the welcome of those present and his own pleasure in introducing to them the first woman Member of Parliament brought to the marae according to Maori tradition and as an honoured guest. In her remarks, Mrs Ross paid tribute to the work of the college. She said its effects were being felt not only in the district but throughout the country. After the official opening of the chapel door by Mrs Ross, the Very Rev D. N. McDiarmid, M.B.E., performed the act of dedication and Rev T. Cairns conducted a brief service of worship. Next came a part of the proceedings to which many had given much thought and preparation beforehand and to which many more were now to do full justice. Under the expert guidance of Mr Tenga Takarangi the catering arrangements worked smoothly and with precision. A tower of strength was Mr James Henare who, with his willing helpers of the Marton Kotahitanga Club, gave yeoman service as chief cook and stewards respectively. One must not fail, however, to pay tribute also to the Kurahaupo District Tribal Executive, the wardens of the district, and the Marton Women's Welfare League; for all worked together with a will and in perfect harmony to produce a repast well fitted to the occasion. Five of the original pupils of the College stood to answer to their names when the opening Roll was called. They were: Mrs M. te Rangi (Tokaanu), Mrs A. Poananga-Moore (Palmerston North), Mrs L. Spooner (Taihape), Mrs M. te Maari (Whangaehu) and Mrs H. Pohe (Putiki); each received a rousing reception.