School big part of Orautoha history

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 479, 30 March 1993, Page 11

School big part of Orautoha history

Raetihi's centennial prompted

Eighteen kilometres north of Raetihi lies the small Orautoha valley. This land which was surveyed into 200 acre sections was allotted by ballot, the lower area being drawn in October 1895. As road access was non-existant at that time, some settlers brought their supplies from Pipiriki by pack-horses along a bush track, which avoided the gorges and followed the higher country to Pipipi, and from there down to the valley. It was some time before any profit came from the land in Orautoha so many settlers took up road working, to aid themselves financially. The 200 acre farms did not hold much of a future in this class of land, so many sold their holdings to neighbours after a period of toil. Mail service was continued as rural delivery, when the Post Office in Raetihi closed after five years in 1909. April 1912 saw the opening of the telephone communication with Raetihi, the office being at A Meyers. This was closed in 1923 when a complete party-line service was established. The whole district was affected by bush fires, first in February 1908 and again in March 1918, with consequent loss of livestock, buildings and fences. The year 1956, saw the introduction of electricity from the Raetihi Borough Council power house, so it was a farewell to kerosene lamps and home generating plants. It was a thrill for the residents to switch on, as they had borne the whole cost of the line. Orautoha School May 1907 saw Mr A Meyer of Raetihi complete the 320 square feet Orautoha School. Miss Dorothy Dale was appointed teacher at a salary of 17 pounds per month, plus 16 shillings and 9 pence house allowance. Desks and chairs had been made in Wanganui and were sent up by Hatricks River Boat to Pipiriki, probably to be transhipped to a smaller vessel and delivered to the nearest up-river landing. School opened on 27 January 1908 with 20

pupils from 15 families. The school day started at 9am with a quarter of an hour break for morning tea, one hour for lunch and quarter of an hour for afternoon tea, before finishing at 3pm. Most pupils rode their bicycles, horses or walked to school and were never, ever driven in cars. Mr Voelkerling recalls the very high windows in the school and not being able to see out of them when a car went past, so every time the children heard a car they would rush outside and line up along the fence to see the car drive past. At one stage the little school had 32 pupils seated at desks, and no free movement could be allowed for the primers as in the modern schools, but the little ones were happy and not one left the school being unable to read, write or do simple maths. The teachers in those days were dedicated folk, who gave their best which was up to and sometimes beyond the Form Two level. Although they were very strict and the strap was a major asset in their teaching methods, no child left Orautoha School unhappy about the education they received. The curriculum was very extensive, from Bible reading, poetry, singing, handicrafts, physical educations, swimming, life-saving folk-dancing as well as the 3 R's, history, geography and science. Play-time was eagerly looked forward to by all the pupils. Behind the school was a large play area where at one time

'prison' was the favourite game. Football, basketball or netball and cricket were played in the large playing field, but as the numbers of pupils dropped, the games where all could play were more popular. On one occasion the older boys went crayfishing at lunch time, in the Orautoha Stream, while the teacher went home for lunch. The boys lost track of the time and didn't return until 2pm. Each received a good rap over the knuckles. On another occasion they played Cowboys and Indians over the road from the school and made a manuka hut. They used a Council pipe to make a chimney and started to cook crayfish. Unfortunately the hut caught fire and the boys didn't return over the road for a while after. The teacher never found out about this incident. Every Friday the boys had the job of keeping the lawns mown and the pebble paths swept, while the girls tendered the garden. Everybody helped keep the school building tidy, so there was never any need to hire a cleaner. The school toilets were separate buildings. The boys a 100 yard sprint straight ahead and the girls about 50 yards to the left. They were too draughty, especially during the winter months, to spend too long out of class, so not much time was lost when one asked to leave the room. The Ministry of Education wouldn't allow flush systems to be installed in the toilets while there was no power and were very reluctant to have

them installed, even with power. The teachers were usually boarded out with families in the valley during their time at Orautoha, but in the earlier days they stayed in a small whare on Voelkerlings property. It was not until 1976 that a school house was built. All the pupils that attended Orautoha School, whether it be for a few years or for all their primary education, left satisfied with the time they spent there. Orautoha School from the log 9.3.08 Very small attendance on account of wet weather; 27.4.08 Meeting held to form a committee; 7.6.09 Football field started at Orautoha; 18.7.10 Football match Valley boys against Raetihi boys. Raetihi won 25-5; 31.3.11 Roll now has reached 32; 5.6.11 School closed because of measles epidemic; 26.7.15 The wet weather has resulted in many slips. Consequently a few of the children won't be able to attend school for some time; 10.11.16 Launched collecting campaign for wounded soldiers; 11.12.21 I would suggest that more breathing and 'mouth opening' exercises be given at singing periods; 9.2.32 Bush fires raging

in the district; 20.3.38 A report that a boy was carrying around detonators and had given eight to a small girl; 24.2.40 A never to-be-forgotten-day. This was to have been Show Day but it rained incessantly. Tremendous damage was done in all directions. All roads were blocked by slips and seven bridges used by pupils on their way to school were destroyed. Five girls and one boy will not be able to reach school for some months; 9.12.40 Someone has been helping himself to the school garden. Radish and turnips have been taken;

25.9.46 Mr Burn and Mr G Voelkerling installed a five valve broadcast radio costing three pounds ten shillings; 1.12.47 School closed on account of Infantile Paralysis in New Zealand; 31.10.50 Pupil ran home after a difference of opinion with me over his English work. I shall be forced to punish him if he returns to school tomorrow; 5.6.52 Government Valuer valued school; building at 200 pounds; 1.2.55 The concrete tennis court was laid by local settlers with the aid of a building contractor; 21.6.56 Electricity installed in school;

18.1.58 50th Jubilee of school held; 9.2.65 Board visited school to discuss the condition of school. It was decided to build a new one; 5.3.70 A large scrub fire burnt to about 100 yards from the school; 16.12.73 Swimming pool installed; 10.2.75 Builders arrived to begin work on a school house; 8.7.82 Very severe frosts over the last three days have burst six pipes in the school and house. School closed as toilets and hand basin not working; 26.11.82 Combine Country Schools athletic sports were held today at Rangataua.