OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOL AT TAWA ELAT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5794, 24 October 1879, Page 3

OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOL AT TAWA ELAT.

(from a correspondent.) The public tea meeting in connection with the opening of the new school at Tawa Flat, took place yesterday afternoon. The young people having had an ample supply of cakes and tea, they were replaced by their parents and friends, when it was proposed, and carried Unanimously, that Mr, Allen should take the ■chair. The chairman said he was happy to congratulate the residents of the district on the large and well-built school which they were about to take possession of, and then declared the school formally opened. He believed the school was in a progressive state, and he hoped that the parents would second the efforts of the teacher in sending their children regularly to school and assisting him to enforce discipline when it might be required. Mr. Taylor, Chairman of School Committee, begged to propose a vote of thanks to the teacher, Mr. Horne, to whom he believed was due in a great measure the present very satisfactory state of the school, and who, since he had come amongst them, had thrown his whole energies into his work, and spared no pains to make the school a success. Mr. Horne returned thanks, saying that he had been ably seconded by the parents in their desire for the itnprovement of their children, and also by the Worthy chairman of committee, who, by his knowledge of business, and the real interest ha took in school matters, contributed much to the working of things smoothly. He said he was not one of those who thought they were likely to ovcr-educate young folks in the State schools. Win n a teacher has from thirty to ’ forty young muids to keep busy, he must be deficient in tact who would be likely to overburden the young intellect. He was glad that the teaching of elementary science had been introduced into the schools. Those who have been brought up in England must remember to some extent the evils resulting from frightful nursery tales and other superstitious beliefs,

which he considered science would help to eradicate. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman and members of the Education Board, coupled with the name of Mr. Lee, the Inspector of Schools, the latter gentleman having taken a lively interest in procuring the pre-ent excellent site, and furthering the building of the school. It was also suggested that the name of tVie district might be changed to that of some gentleman who had he*-n prominent for beneficial acts for the district—say Taylorville. A vote of thanks to the )a ics who had kindly presided at the tea tab’e, which was humorously responded to by Mr. E. Greer, brought the meeting to a close. Later in the evening there was a display of a magic lantern, which highly pleased the young people. Captain Metcalf, of the ship Rakaia. was unable to be present, as expected, having had to go to the Upper Hutt. Mr. Allen made a present of several specimens of New Zealand minerals to the school a,s a nucleus for a cabinet of fossils, &c. Any contributions in this way will be thankfully received by the teacher of the school.