HONIKIWI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 64, 10 January 1908, Page 3

HONIKIWI.

-—-o On New Year's Day there was a gathering of the settlers and their families to celebrate the progress made since that day twelvemonths in obtaining a school- in the district. The gathering-took the form of a working bee, to push on the work of finishing the interior of the school and preparing the grounds. After putting in the morning at work, all present adjourned to a grassy patch near the cherry grove, at the foot of Honikiwi Hill, for refreshments (picnic fashion), and after partaking of these several snapshots were taken of the picnicers. A photograph of all present, grouped in front of the school, was also taken. There were many Maoris present, the bright colours of whose dresses gave a gay and animated appearance to the scene. In the evening dancing began in the school about 8 o'clock, and continued until about midnight. After supper Mr Budden made a little speech, congratulating all present on the success that had so far attended their efforts to obtain a school in the district. That day, twelve months ago, some of them had met at his house to see what could be done, as both the Auckland Education Board and the Native Department of Education had for some reason or other, refused to assist. Those present then agreed to put their shoulders to the wheel and build a school themselves. After obtaining a site of ten acres from the Lands Department, and buying and carting out the timber for the school, the Education Board refused to sanctinn the erection of the school, on the grounds that they were not prepared to carry on a school in the district. Last month, however, the Chief Inspector of Schools had come out and reported in favour of the immediate erection of the school, and promising that the Board would supply furniture and a teacher. No time had been lost, since that report, in pushing on the erection of the school, as that gathering in it testified. He hoped that as the years went by there would be many more such gatherings. Mr F. Nicholson then called for three cheers for Mr and Mrs Budden, which were heartily responded to. Mr Budden called for three cheers for the Working Committee, the Ladies and Honikiwi. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and "God Save the King," brought a most enjoyable meeting to a close.