PATUMAHOE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 330, 16 November 1917, Page 4

PATUMAHOE

aOITOOL BUILDING EXTENSION OPENING CEREMONY There wan a large and representative gathering at the official opening last Friday afternoon of a new class room provided at the Patumahoe Public School, the addition having been rendered necessary owing to the overcrowded state of the school. Among the large company present were Messrs J. Body and J. Farrell (representing the Auckland Education Board), F. Perkins and J. Patterson (Pukekohe Education Committee), A. B. Barter (Deputy M iyor, Pukekohe), J. B. Goldsworthy (chairman), J. Henry, W. G. Piaydell, W. Howe and E 'C. Cuff I Patumahoe School Committee), J. Graham (Headmaster Patumahoe School), G. Gutry (Headmaster Mauku), besides the many parents of scholars and friends associated with the school and district, including a large number of ladies. In delightful weather the scholars (including those from Mauku and Waiau schools and company assembled in the playground when at the call of Mr Goldsworthy (the Chairman of the School Committee) the formul opening of the proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem.

Mr Goldsworthy then expressed, on behalf the Committee, the pleasure they felt in having so many visitors present. He mentioned that the school had been built about 40 years and although it had done good service for some years owing to the increasing number of scholars attending, more accommodation became necessary. Largely through I he visit last year of Mr Body (representing the Auckland Education Board) the new class room had been built. Mr Goldsworthy then asked Mr Body to declare the schoolroom opened and to commemorate such event he presented him with a gold key on behalf of the Committee.

Mr Body, in declaring the classroom open, addressed some encouraging remarks to the children, urging them to learn all they could to befit them for the battle of.life. To the parents the speaker pointed out that education to the rising generation was of greater importance today than it had ever been. In connection with the great war, in which the nation was at present engaged, he said it would call forth the greatest amount of efficiency on their part and it behoved the manhood and womanhood of to-day to see that all are well-equipped for their lite work aod the struggle to follow. Mr Body then referred to the great pleasure he felt in helping the country districts but utterel a warning note as to the tendency on the part of higher authorities to centralise the education system and to do awiy with the pio3eut Committees and Boards, lhat tendency he urged was against the democratic feeling of the- people and he advised them to oppose it. Concluding, he trusted the children would spend many happy years within the school and that all would have a prosperous future (applause).

Mr F. Perkins then addressed some congratulatory remarks to the Committee in providing such an excellent class-room and to the children he pointed out the necessity for being well equipped for the life race. Lie trusted that the education received within the school walls would he a blessing to one and all (applause). Mr C. K. Lawrie also addressed some congratulatory words to the Committee and to their Schoolmaster, who iie felt sure would take a deep interest in their welfare. Mr Graham (Headmaster), who stated that he had been associated with the fchool for 20 years, referred to the inanyfild boys and girls who were occupying positions of trust, among them being the chairman (Mr Goldsworthy) and Mr J. Henry their representative on the Fianklin (ounty Council and their School C ommittee. .Referring to the war, lie said every old hoy who was eligible had volunteered (applausej. Among those who had gained a military cross and who had since made the great sacrifice was Reginald McDivitt at ( one time a scholar lit their school. He felt proud <>f 1 eiug associated with such a school, \ hise boys and girls had done so veil in alter life. Mr J. Henry, speaking as an old hoy and meuitnr of the School Committte, referred to his early association with the school which was then held in the I'resbyterian Church. Alluding to the class-room provided, Mr Henry paid a high tribute to Mr Body who had taken so much intercut ;n their nee is and had been instrumental in seeing they were so well Prouded for as that day (applause), '. '.J.: :/ also olfered his congratulations at the object achieved When making the presentation of the gold key to Mr body, tho chairman (Mr (iohkworthy) expressed the hop} that Mr Body would wear the key us a memento of that afternoon's gathering. Mr Body suitably replied. Cluers were i;iven for Mr Body and tho ladies and a vote of thanks to the Chairn'au brought the afternoon's function to a close A eumptuous tea was provided by tho ladies for tho visitors and was highly appreciated A lurth"i in-' ling to discuss the selection ol a sit'' for tennis courts at IV ue alio,. N to he hold n»xt Wed- '■!■.••;■!■ evening in die l'atumahoe h : .:i.'