Last roll call at Rangataua

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 551, 30 August 1994, Page 14

Last roll call at Rangataua

Phillip Murdie said they were all honest, upright Christian children who never did anything wrong. "I was in your class!" countered another ex-pu-pil. Hank Reynolds later said most of the pupils were an unruly lot. He remembered Darby Black, on horse-back, jumping the picket fence, with the head master Mr Rogers clearing it as well - on foot! He said he hated school but still wanted to come along and see the last day.

Another recalled having her mouth washed out with soapy water for swearing at her sister. "It didn't work - I still swear," she said. They remembered Dr Elizabeth Gunn, the visiting health worker, who terrorised all. Half the school would disappear for 3-4 days when it was heard she was coming. "She would have you stand to attention, even'if you felt you would die. And by the time she was finished with you, you wished you had died," said Mr Murdie. George Drayton, representative of a family with strong links to the school (the family having donated the land for the Mangateitei Road swimming pool), learnt something new at the closing day. Looking through old photos he found a class photo with his father in. He said he had not known that his father had attended thp school. Builder Norm Hubbard recounted his days as an apprentice working for the education department. He said as they travelled around the country building schools, they usually slept in school out-build-ings such as woodsheds and play houses, usually adding a few sheets of corrugated iron as a door. The Rangataua job was unusual in that they didn't have to do their own cooking as they had an on-the-job cook. However they found out the cook was sending some of their rations (such things as tea, sugar and butter were still

rationed after the war) home to his family. "He was a good cook, and good cpoks were precious, so we just put up with it," said Mr Hubbard. He also spoke of a pay rise received during the time of the job. As a good apprentice he was to receive an extra five shillings a week. Working six 1 2-hour

days a week, this worked out at less than one cent extra per hour. He said the building was constructed of the best materials including heart rimu, (and the best workmanship) and that it would be a pity to see the building unused. Board of Trustees chairperson Jane Zweibruck made a short speech at the

closing, saying the decision by the board to close the school was not an easy one. "Personally it is a sad day for me. I would have liked to have seen my son attend the school, but it is , not to be." She and last principal Shirley Thompson told those gathered what was to happen to the memorabilia and assets of the school. Mrs Zweibruck said assets of the school had gone

to Ohakune to be of benefit to the Rangataua children who now attend that school. Many of the archives will now be handed to the Ruapehu District Council for safe-keeping. Some of the sports cups were presented to past recipients. Other articles are to go to the Main Trunk Rail Ohakune museum, including the school bell which is to be inscribed with 'Rangataua', and the roll of hon-

our. The Bulletin understands the Ministry of Education will now look into titles for the property and that it may be put up for tender. The property, which includes the school house, built in 1908, and six acres, has a government valuation of $200,000. And the school goat has a permanent home at Pokaka at Mrs Thompson' s property.