HAPPY CELEBRATIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 26 August 1946, Page 4

HAPPY CELEBRATIONS

Ohau School Jubilee FUNCTIOKS ON SATURDAY A sunny sky with a fresh breeze made the scene at Ohau School on . Saturday afternoon one which will be remembered for many yearfe to come in the district. Old pupils of all ages, and their friends gathered in the school grounds for the second day of the golden jubilee celebrations. Old pupils and teachers from all parts of New Zealand were present, some returning to the district for the first time in many years. Directed by the chairman of the jubilee committee, Mr. H. j. McLeavey, old pupils were marshalled into decades from 1891 to 1941. "The roll of classes from the very first at the school to those of the ldst decade were then read by teachers who were at the school during each period. The Roli of Honour, of pupils who had fought and, in some cases died, in the last two warst was read by the headmaster, Mr. E. J. Watts. All present stood for a minute in silence following the reading. Mr. McLeavey then officially weleomed all those present, saying ;hat he hoped they would enjoy ;hemselves. Messrs. D. K. .Guy and A. E. Robinson, local representatives on the Wellington Education Board, briefly addressed the gathering, both congratulating the jubilee committee oh the success their strenhous efforts of many months had brought them. Following the speeches, group photographs of each decade were taken, and- afternoon tea, followed by a general social gathering where old pupils talked of their early days at the school. JUBILEE DINNER At 7.30 p.rp. that evening about 400 diners assembled at the Ohau Hall for the jubilee dinner. Bright decorations and well-atranged tables helped to create a convivial atmosphere, and the dinner may be fcruly spoken of as the highlight of the celebrations. Grace was said by Mr. H. J. McLeavey, as the Rev. Paora Temuera was unable to be present. The first toast was "The King," proposed by xVIr. McLeavey. "The School" The toast, "The School," was proposed by Mr. G. A. Monk. He congratulated the committee on the fine gathering. He felt that he was not quite the right person to propose such a toast, as he had no mtimate knowledge of the school, but only of the Ohau district as &. whole. He fully appreciated the fine gesture of having a school jubilee; it presented ah opportunity^to many ex-pupils to renew old acquaintances. A tremendous lot was owed to the primary schools, he continued, as it was there that uO a large extent one's future was moulded. Responding, Mr. E. Watts said that at the school to-day they knew the debt they owed to the past, to all those who had left so much, in providing imprdvements and amenities. There were two outstanding institutibns in social iife— the school and the home. He vhought that the home was the most important with its many influences for good in the life of a child. " What was done in the school was merely supplementary to what was done in the home. The most /aluable part of school life was the association a child had with its fellows. I11 concluding, Mr. Watts said that the appreciation of ihe school was shown by the way in which people of the district had turned out in such numbers for the celebfations, .. x , • A "The Old Settlers* ' . j Mr. Allen Horn, Junr., proposed the toast to the "Old Settlers." H4 ,aid that when it was considej^d vhat the old settlers had done, it nad to be agreed that they "had ihe hard end of the stick." The difhculties they had faced were tremendous compared with the facilities modern youth had at its dispbsal. He mentioned the wives of the early settlers, and how they had worked from daylight to dusk iO give their children a nappier ajid jasier start in life than they had had themselves. "Il it had not been for them, there- would be no jubilee," he concluded. Mr. Alfred Lee responded. He said that he had mixed with the old pupils "and didn't think the women looked a day older." He had had the pleasure in the last few days of meeting some of the old-timers, who had carVed a home for themselves out of the bush. Wheh he first came to the dist'fict there were very few rpads, ahd the railways had just begun. "The ex-Pupils" The toast, "The ex-pupils," was proposed by Mr. W. G. Benning. Hfe referred to it as a very important fcoast on such an occasion. Old pupils of the school had 'distihguished themselves in all spheres of activity, and they were a credit to the teaching staff during the years of the school's history. NoW it was left to the younger generation to carry on the- traditions of the past. He concluded by wishing the best for the fUture for all pupils. Mr. Albert Mudgwa.y and Mr; \Vhare Seymour responded. Th3y both recalled the days when the Ohau School was very young. Mr. Seymour said that his most favourite teacher was a Miss Browh. She was popular with the Maori scholars, because. they could spedk no Englishj and she could speak rio Maori f "We were brought up rough in those days,!i he said, "wfc coiild.

kick a goal bare-footed any time you like." "The Teachers" In proposing the toast to the teachers, Mr. A. E. Robinson said he would include the school teachers of New Zealand in it. Their work was strenuoUs and required a vast amount of study, and a great deal of responsibility. There were teachers who had had to givfc up the work because they found it too strenuous. Mrs. P. Wehipeihana responded. She expressed her pleasure at seeing so many old pupils and teachers present; it was a great experience. "School Committeemen" Mr. D. K. Guy proposed the toast to the school committeemen. He said that a school cominjttee was not just a collection of men and women. They gave much time to attend meetings, and to strive to get something done. There were some committeemen present who had long terms to their credit. He was grateful to the men who had given their time and money in the past. In responding, Mr. J. G. Horn said that the Jubilee was the first in his 18 years as a committee man. There was much greater support for school committees to-day than in. the . ■ "The Ladies" • o' i j. . Mr. Norman. Palmer, in proposing the toast, said that it shouid have been higher on the list. Ladies were very close to royalty, he said. At one time a girl became a lady when she put her hair up, but now it was hard to tell. He was proud to be able to propose the toast, he concluded, for ladies were fUll of kindness, courage and hospitality. Miss Difian, an .old teacher, responded. She was surprised to see some of the girls she had taught grown up, and dlmost as oid as she was. When she first taught at Ohau, she was only 15, and in those days she rode to the school on a horse. To-day she had come to Ohau 011 a fine modern road. It had been the thrill of her life to come back. Other Toasts The toast, "Absent Friends," was proposed by Mr. Clyde Saint. Some of those who were absent, he said, had laid the foundations of Ohau's schooh He referred to those who had left Ohau to fight for world freedom in both wars. "They are not dead iri our hearts and memory; they will never die," he said. Other toasts honoured were to the Maori race and to the jubilee committee. After tbe eompletion of the toast list two hakas were giveh, songs were sung, and such was the conviviality of the proceedings that it was with reluctance that the gathering finally dispersed. Mrs. J. McDonald acted as pianist. JUBILEE SEttViCE The jubilee chureh service, which was eoftducted bjr the Rev. P.- Temueta> Was lieid in the Ohau Hall on Sunday. The singing of the Maori childfen's choir, trained by the Rev. Temuera and his wife was most impressive. Mr. Temuera based his dddrCsS oh the faith of the eafiy biohefefs.