Last roll call at Rangataua

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 551, 30 August 1994, Page 1

Last roll call at Rangataua

Past pupils and teachers spanning 86 years of Rangataua School days gathered on Friday to see the school finally closed down. As well as young ones from this and recent years, the ex-pupils gathered included Mary Evans, 98, who attended the school on the day it opened. She was joined by Ruby Smith, 85, who attended the school in 1914. Also present were friends of the school including two of the builders of the present block, built in 1947-48. Mrs Evans, Mrs Smith and Mavis Reynolds (nee Snowball) reminisced about the old days of Rangataua. Mrs Evans said she started school at Raetihi, later moving to 'the city' — Rangataua. The three remembered the days when Rangataua had a population of over 2000 people, and had half a dozen boarding houses, bakers, grocers, butchers, a town hall, picture theatres and billiard halls. Ten sawmills surrounded the town. Mrs Evans now lives in Raetihi and Mrs Smith back in Rangataua. "I scouted round the country, then came back home," said Mrs Smith. Pat Gordon (nee Remus) said Rangataua had been a 'neat school' - friendly and like a happy family. "There were no hyperactive kids, everybody knew everyone else."

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