SEW NATIVE SCHOOL OPENED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 151, 24 April 1940, Page 5

SEW NATIVE SCHOOL OPENED

CEREMONY at TE TEKO

SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF OPENING

MAORI GATHERING AND HUI

that it was usual to have the Gover-nor-General make the presentation, but as it had not been possible to do that, this ceremony had had to be postponed. It was a great distinction to have such an important trophy in the district, and he urged all the Maori boys and girls to endeavour in the future to have iarms which would some day entitle them to have their names engraved on the cup. He then declared the school open. Other Speakers. Mr F. Butler, who had charge of the procedings, invited several othei speakers to address the assemblageOne of the first old pupil?, Mr Patupo Raerino, was warmly applauded as he took his seat wit:i the offi-* cial party. Apologies were received from the Prime Minister, Hon. Peter Vraser, the Director of Education. Messrs F. W. Doidge, M.P., A. G. Hultuuist. M.P., A. F. Moncur, M.P., Mr J. 1,. Burnett, Chairman of the Wliakatane County, and Mr B. S. Barry, Mayor of Whakntanc, Mr Eruera Maunera, chief of thle Ngatiawa, added his congratulations and complimented the builders, the staff and the committee on tneii achievement. They could now 'skite' that it was the best in the North Island. Mr Keepa Tawhio (Paroa) maintained that Paroa was the finest school, though he admitted that it was not quite so long. (Laughter). The old Te Teko school dated hack to the Avild days of Dhe past when arrived in the township only once a fortnight. He thanked the committee for the invitation to be present. Mr Patikura Whetini (Kawarau) warmly praised the interest of the late Prime Minister for his interest and sympathy for the Maori race. In congratulating Te Teko he expressed the hope that possibly the Onepu children could be transported there for education purposes.

Saturday was a gala day for " Te Teko, when the commodious new Native School was officially opened by Mi L. F. Brown, of the Native Department, before --a large gathering of Pakehas -and Maoris from all parts of the • district. The day was beautifully fine, and with the Union Jack • from the school flagstaff, and the proceedings opening ■with the words of the New Zealand the event ~was a memorable one. i«ie fact that the sixtieth anniversary of the school coincided with the •opening was mentioned by a number of speakers and the day's -programme was dedicated to the •dual event, with speeches, hak&s •dances and songs by pupils and ex-pupils. A;, a fitting conclusion to the day a general invirtation was extended to the general public to attend a hui at the local pa in the afternoon. The new school is a particularly Hiandsome structure of four classrooms, attractively designed and ful ly equipped with the very latest of facilities. It was built Iby Messrs Boon, Sullivan and Luke 'of Whakatane, and is in effect yet a •further monument to the workmanship and ability of this pioneer firm. In its completed form it stands "in striking contrast to the old building on the eastern corner of the grounds, and no doubt would be -still further removed from the original school which was converted from a soldiers' barracks, and dated from the stirring days of the Hau JHau rebellion. A Modern Building. "In addressing the crowd, preliminary to his declaring the school 'open Mr Brown said that it was "pleasant to reflect that the new building now gave Te Teko the right to boast one of the finest Native in the Dominion. To-day tl«e Government realised that it was ne-.-cessary to have the very best condi "tions for the educating of the boys :and girls who would in a few years "time become the citizens of to-mor-:row. It was in this way they hoped to equip them for the tasks which lay ahead. He taid a tribute to the of ihe commit tee who had -battled hard and earnestly for the ■':new school, and who would now feel jjustly proud 01 it. It was hard to ..realise that just sixty years ago the first school was opened to thirty Maori children, one of whom was 'there to-day (applause). In those •-•days the two-roomed barracks which thad been constructed inside the redoubt by Captain Mair, who was in of the militia, was made : available, and had served its new LPurpose well. "Ex-Masters and Officers. ~Mr Brown sketched the records of ■past masters,, and committ/ee chairmen. In 1880 the school had been •opened by Mr Leech who served for ;six years. Mr Donaldson had succeeded him in 1886, while in 1890 when the old barracks were discarded and the new school opened Mr 'Greene had been appointci. Six "years later Mr Sinclair took over, to she followed bv Mr Broderiek who : taught- for 10 years., and Mr Guest •Vv't'O held a ten year term. The prei*sent herffonaster Mr F. Butler had already held the post for ten and a Jialf years. "When the school was opened/' .said Mr Brown, "there were 30 -pupils who were taught by one teacher. To-day there are 180 pupils and a teaching staff of six. If this rprogress is maintained I can see you "will have to increase the school still further in future,*' / ; The ex-chairmen of committees were named by the speaker as unde? Te Ua Kapua (10 years), Mr Jas. Chase (15), Mr Wi Duncan (21) ami Mr Charlie Hunia who still held the position. One of the outstanding features of the work of the-commit-tee was the remarkable record put by the secretary, Mr Moses Tomo "Who had served consistently and well for 25 years. (Applause). The Arowhenua Cup. Mentioning the fact that Mrs Tata Hall of Te Teko had won the Arowhenua Cup for the best Maori farm Dominion, Mr Brown said

County Representative's Remarks. "The new school is a credit to the district and should serve the district for many years to come/* said Mr W. A. McCracken, the district's county representative. He remarked on the fine types of boys and girls who attended the school, and complimented them on the programme of Maori entertainment which had been provided. Mr W. Sullivan, for the builders, added that it was pleasing to note in Native schools, an effort being made to perpetuate the old Native traditions. He congratulated the staff on possessing what was undoubtedly one of the best schools in the district. The Education Department had shown a knowledge and foresight by the construction of a new and improved standard c:f school building. The rooms were larger and there was ample provision for the admission of £■ untight and fresh air. He believed in future that in climates like the Bay of open air schools would ultimately be evolved. The Entertainment. Excellent entertainment by troupes of Maori boys and girls was a feature of the gathering. These included Welcome Poi, Canoe Poi, Welcome Song, Single Poi, Haka and Song (by boys). For their work in training the performers, Mr Taitapo Aporina, and Mrs Taute Erueti are to be warmly congratulated. Following the opening the school was inspected by the public after which there was a general movement towards the Pa -where a feast, served in abundance by Maori hosts, concluded the day.