BOULCOTT SCHOOL.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 20, 11 October 1928, Page 8

BOULCOTT SCHOOL.

OFFICIAL OPENING BY THE MEMBER FOR THE DISTRICT, Despite heavy rain and boisterous weather a large number of parents gathered at Boulcofct School on Monday, Bth October at 3 p.m., to witness the official opening. A large number of visitors were present, including Hon, T. M. "Wilford, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. T. Stiand), Mr. Forsyth (chairman Education Board), Messrs Nicholls, Stonehouse, and London (members of the Board), Mr. G. L. Stewart (secretary Education Board), Mr. H. P. Kidson (principal H. V. High School), Mr. A, Mcßain (headmaster Eastern Hutt School), Mr. H. Baldwin, Mr. McCaw and Messrs Home, Jenkins', Trevethick (members Boulcott School Committee), Mrs Rishworth (the first mistress of the school), and Mr. and Mrs Burke (the present headmaster and his wife).

The chairman of the committee (Mr. A. J. Gearing) who presided, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors and briefly outlined the events which led to the erection of the school, and thanked Mr. Wilford for his advice and assistance and for the help of the Education Board, With the advent of a full width road approach the committee had suggested the adoption of the name of Boulcott, which name was historijcally important and suitable, it being the nearest public building to the famous Boulcobt Farm.

Mr. Wilford in his remarks gave the history of the Boulcott Farm attack and used the incident of Bugler Allen's heroism to point a moral to the children present. He also recalled the presence of such tilings as orchards and farms in the district some years ago, and it was noticeable that at mention of orchards the eyes of all boys were bright. He congratulated the district on the fine school and warned the Board's representatives that application would soon have to be made for additions to the three 'rooms erected. Mr. Wilford then declared the school opened. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Strand), also referred to the orchards, particularly two pear trees of which both he and Mr. Wilford evidently had pleasant recollections. Mr. Strand paid a tribute to the chairman and members of the Education Board for the efforts made by them to provide schools for* the district which had increased so enormously. Later he intimated that an effort would ba made to secure from the Home authorities the bugle used by Bugler Allen. If successful it would be handed over to the Boulcott School Committee. (Applause). Mr. Forsyth (chairman of the Wellington Education Board), apologised for the absence of the Minister of Education and stated that although he represented the Minister he was glad to delegate the duty of declaring the school open to Mr. Wilford who had done so much for the district. When the time came for increased accommodation the Board would do all they could. Mr. G. London and Mr A. Mcßain also spoke. 1 At the conclusion of the opening ceremony all present were invited to afternoon tea which was dispensed by the girls of Std. "VT. Mr. J. Stonehouse the local representative on the Education Board, proposed the toast of the Committee, which was responded to by Mr. L. Jenkins, hon. secretary. 1 A capable ladies committee under Mesdames Gearing and Pilcher, assisted by the teachers and elder scholars were responsible for the tasteful decorations of j one of the classroom in which the ceremony was held. ~.