ORONGO SETTLEMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4716, 25 June 1924, Page 3

ORONGO SETTLEMENT.

NEW SCHOOL OPENED. Tuesday last proved a red letter day for the people of the Uipngo soldier settlement, the occasion being the official opening of the new school by Mr A. Burns, member of the Auckland Education Board. Almost every person in the settlement was present, and there was a Hur sprinkling of Kopuarahi and Turua residents. in formally declaring the school open Mr Burns traced the negotiations up to the authorisation of the oii'junig, anu paid a tribute to tne zeal oi tne setuers and to the fairniiiiuea attitude of the Kopuarahi bci.ioui committeemen, in whose disuici the new school was situated. The building would accommodate about so pupils. At present there were 13 pupils pu the roll, but he was sure mat me present rate of progress or tin. district would be maintaineci, so tiiat oeiore long lie would be asked to secure an addition to the present building. A splendid teacher had neon appointed in Mrs Loving. For aiiaysi a year she had been stacioneu at Kercptehi, and she had proved so satisfactory tiiat Hie board had been asncd to appoint her permanently t< that school, it was not possible to have a school committee elected until April next, but in the meantime Mr J. Smith would act as school manager. Mr Burns suggested that a committee be informally elected to assist the manager and to organise working bees to improve the grounds. There was no doubt, he said, that the Education Board gave more consideration to requests from those districts that helped themselves than to those from districts where the board was asked to do every small job. He expressed the hope ilia-, interest in the school would be fostered, and that it would become the social centre of the district. The building could be used for stcial functions, meetings, etc. Public interest in matters appertaining to the local school was of great encouragement to teachers and pupils, and also was an indication of the calibre of the settlers. Speaking to the pupils, he stressed the necessity of regular attendance and said that under the present system of education country children had as much opportunity for advarcing as those in the cities. Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P. for Thames, also spoke, stating his pleasure at being present. He congratulated the district on the rapid strides it had made, and expressed the hope that it would continue to advance and take an interest in school matters. Mr J. C. Miller, county chairman, congratulated the district on having secured its first public building. It was not much to look at, but internally it was very well appointed. The erection of such schools in the country districts had a great effect in in" during people to leave the crowded towns. On behalf of the visitors Mr D. J. O'Carroll, chairman of. the Kopuarahi School Committee, thanked the people of Orongc for their welcome, and extended to them a hearty invitation to be present at the official opening of the new school at Kopuarahi. He congratulated the district upon haring secured a school for itself, and said that it was indeed fortunate in having settlers whose first thought was for the education of their children. A dainty afternoon tea was then handed round by the ladies, of the district, after which the National Anthem, was sung and the function brought to a close with votes of thanks to Mr Burns, Mr Rhodes, the ladies, and the chairman.