CELEBRATIONS CONCLUDE

Chronicle (Levin), 8 April 1946, Page 4

CELEBRATIONS CONCLUDE

KOPUTAROA SCH0OL JUBILEE t | SATURDAY'S FUNCTIONS ' The second day's functions in the celebration of the Koputaroa School jubilee were unfortunately^ niarred by rain which fell during "most of the afternoon. However, large ge,tkering tgok further advantage to renew echool ac^uaint^riees; cgritfiyed to- enjoy themeelyes in; spite .of the weather., puring - the aftepnooh ' the 'gore whenua 'Hlghr ' land Pipe Ba'hd, under Drum^Major L. S. Carmichael, played and gaveexhibitipps of jnarchjng, which were greatly appfeciated. "v r' Mr. Q. 'E. C. Web'b, chairman ofthe Jubilee Committee, extended a welc.ome to all present, and express.ed regrpt that the distrjgt had fail.ed to provide its tumai goojd weather. He invited any ex -teachers ' who were present to com£ forward/sp ohey would be able to call .the roll of their particular elass, and concluded by sayjng that he hqpe.d tnat old pupils woul'd continue to enjoy themselves as they had done on th'e first day of the celebrations. Roll Call The school roll from 1391 to 1941 was then called by old pupils or teachers representing the period during which they attended the school. As the names were called much interest was displgyed by the oid pupils,. and there was laughter at th'e remarks made' hy some olid pupils in replying,. sometimes no doubt bringing back incidents long forgotten. It .was noticed tnat a large propohtion of the earlier names were ' unanswered, and occasionaiiy the rea.ding of the nam.e was foliowed by the words "Killed in Action." During the serving of afternoon tea photographs were takep of groups representing old pupils pf each decade from1 1891 to 1941, and a most .enjoy able afternoon came to a close as the crowd slavfly departed from the grounds.

Reunion Dinner The heavy raip which had hjndered the afternoon's celebratiohs continued in the eyening, but in spite . of this the Koputaroa' Hail was filled to capacity for the jubilee dinner. Some difficulty was.experienced by the committee in seating everyone, but a large marquee erected outside the hall to accon^modate any, who- eoqld' not be seated was, fortunately, not required: - . ; The evening's proceedings conjmenced with the , singing of ; the Nation al ' Aiithem and Grace' Mfi Webb 1 then invited- all present • to attend to- the business of eating and 'drinking without apy more adp. When an' eXcellent dinner had been disposed of, Mr. Webb called the gathering" to order and before pyoposilik ;the,'fifStr1fcokst, resrd'^'nnnT-. ber of apologies. They were from Mr. Charles Lang, of Whakatane, ■Mr. Cheesman, '• Ruth Newman, Mr. Clark, Annie Doyle, Mr. H. Mae-' Milldn, Mr. J. Sciaseia, Bob Phillips and Mr, S. A. Broadbelt. In proposing "The King," Mr. Webb reminded the gathering that this toast was not only to the King, but also to the great and free British Enqpire' for which he stood. Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P., then proposed the toast of "The School." Mr. Lowx*y confessed that he had no intimate knowledge of the school. He expressed Tiis pleasure in being present at the dinner, and spoke of the importance of the school and the home in the work of building future citizens. He recalled the efforts required on his part to have the new school building erected in 1941. In conclusion, he wished the school prosperity and success in the future. In responding, Colonel T. W. McDonald spoke of the difficulties in the past and ment-ioned the facc that he would be retiring in July from the Education Board, and that he hoped that young people wopld come forward and take an-actlv6" interest in school affairs and education generally. Colonel McDonald outlined a few points, 'which, he said, derpanded ur'gent attention on the part of the education author-i-ties, in particular the long-standing need for a reduction in the size of classes. The speaker concluded by referring to the magnificent work Miss Forsythe had given to the school. Mr. D. K. Guy, responding in association with the previous speaker, referred to the splendid service rendered by committee members over a number of years, and urged the old pupils to .take.a greater interest in gll school activities. He said a better school would be the result if teachers, pupils. and parents would co-operate. Mr. A. E. Robinson, a rqember pf the . Education . Board for Horowhenua, proposed the to.ast pf "The Old Settlers." He thanked the copimittee for its kind invitation and pongrgtulated the members on the results achieved through hard wqrk. He recalled the difficulties and hardships f aced by the . early pioneers, and the primitive conditions in the schodls then compared with the modern -institutions. Mr. Douglas Gardner and Mr, W. E. Kilsby, in responding, both recalled earfy days of the Koputaroa district. Mr. Gardner, reminded the gathering that the„ occasion y/as also the anniversary of the settling of the district 100 years ago. Mr. Kilsby spoke of the part that pld families had played in the achieveipents Qf the. last 100 years. His mention of the work of Mrs. Dunlop was greeted with prolonged applause. Mr. "Chappy" MacDonald then proposed the toast of '"Phe Teachers," and in doing so.related some amusing incidents and §xperi-= ences during his sch'ool-days .at Koputaroa. School, he said, was ,"a

battle 'between the pupils and' teachers." . Mr. M. J. Ching (headipaster) and Mrs. McDonald,' for pres«it and past teachers respectivelv replied. Mr. Ching gave his thanks £pr the toast and spoke of the vafue of the home, as well as the sc.hp.ol, in edu.cating a child. Mrs. M6.DP.nald expressed her pleasure in being asked * to speak, and recalled the pleasure experienced when the new school was built. The next toast was "The Old Pupils," proposed by Mrs. W. J. Lancaster, who said that there -was no great tradition attached to the school, but there pxis-ted in the district a fine'natiQflai.spLPit. She drew attention to the Roll pf: Honour hanging in the hall. Two fex -pupils had given their lives in the second World War. The speaker concluded by drawing attention to the need for the development of an international sense in the, district. Mr. Reg. Ferris and Mr. W. Macmillan responded. Mr. Ferris spoke of the country schopl spirit, and thanked the Jubilee Committee for its work in organisipg the eele=bration. Mr. Macmillan, in an amusing speech, endorsed* the remarks made by the former speakers. In proposing the toast, ''Rr§sent and o Former School Cpmmlttees," Mr. H. Kilsby said that school eommittees were seldom complimented on their task. He took the opportunity to. refer to .the. outgtanding service of Mr. S. A, Brpadfeelt. Mr. A. Mitehell and Mr.>Taylor, in keplying, also spoke of the work of Mr. Broadbelt, and Mr. Mitehell took the opportunitylo congratulate Mr. Ching on, the^ appearance of the •school grounds, • • •• The next vfcoast was to "Absent .Friends," moved, -by Mr.. Webb, who .spoke with sadness of those expupils who went to war and did npt return. The toast wa§ drppk jn a moving silence,, . Mr. Webb then gave thanks to all those >.who had helped tomiake the celebrations a succgsg, and a yote of thanks to them carried by acclamation. As the diners rpge tP leave, Colonel McDonald mqygd a vote pf thanks to Mr. Webb, which was also carried by acclamation. During the evening Mr§, T, Hurliman provided piano music and the young ladies who acted as waitresses proved mpst efficlent,