NEW SCHOOL ON COAST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19980, 4 July 1939, Page 15

NEW SCHOOL ON COAST

HIRUIIARAMA BUILDING OPEN-AIR TYPE OFFICIAL OPENING (Humid Corrospondnnt.) Despite Sieavy showers, a large and representative gathering of Maoris, Europeans, teachers and children from most of the schools of the district attended the official opening cf ■the new open-air school at Hiruhara:na. The ceremony was preceded by an entertainment by tihe .school children, who gave a delightful series of Maori action songs, some of which they had composed. Poi dances, for which the Children had been trained by ■Mrs. Dan Brown, /followed, and then the school choir gave a selection of songs, all of which were much appreciated by a most enthusiastic audience, who were entranced by the children's marvellous singing. Mr. Arnold Reedy trained gome of the .performers ,in the Maori action songs.

The chairman of the School Committee. Mr. Arnold Reedy welcomed Sir Apirana and Lady Ngata and the other visitors.

Mr. A. J. H. Kirkham, chairman of the Waiapu Hospital Board, referred to the splendid work being done for the .advancement of education by the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, and paid tributes to the manner in which Sir Apirana Ngata had foughit for education facilities for the Maoris and the good work of the teachers, Mr. .and Mrs. A. King.

The headmaster, Mr. A. King, welcomed the teachers, and school children, who attended from as far as Tokomaru May and Tc Araroa. Tribute to Minister Although a member of the Opposition. said Sir Apirana Ngata, he wished to .pay a tribute to the work of the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, who was working in ■the right direction for the education c.f Maori children. The new school a.t Jerusalem was in keeping with modern ideas of hygiene and efficiency. The district was fortunate in having such competent teachers as Mr. and Mrs. King and their staff, continued Sir Apirana. He had seen a lot of wonderfuL work done by native ■schools, but he knew of none that surpassed that at Hiruharama. In referring to the coming centennial celebrations Sir Apirana said ■that, he was endeavouring to organise ;a rally of all the Coast school children at Tikitiki next April or May.

In declaring the school open on behalf of the Minister of Education, Sir Apirana named it. Taputariki, in .memory of .the leading chief who gave the land for a school 50 years ago.

A most enjoyable lunch, which the Maoris had provided with their usual hospitality, followed under the supervision of Mr. J. Whitehead. The meal had been cooked in true Maori fashion, some of the cooks beginning work at the hangis at 3 a.m..

In the evening a successful dance v/as held in the meeting house. x Contract Price £2200

The new school is of the open-air type, containing two class rooms, each 26ft by 24ft. Windows extend the entire width of the back walls, while the front walls are sliding glass doors with pivoted windows above. Between the two class rooms is a cloak room, store room and teachers’ room. A verandah Bft wide extends along the frbnt of the building, while there is concrete paving as an assembly area.

The old school was erected 50 years ago, and contained two class rooms, which are now removed a short distance away to be used for woodwork and cookery. The contract for the new school was £2200. The builder was Mr. H. F. Salisbury and the foreman, Mr. J. E. Springgay. Maori labour was used wherever possible.