CITY SCHOOL PASSES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 232, 20 December 1927, Page 3

CITY SCHOOL PASSES

KNELL RUNG BY OLD PUPIL Forty-eight years ago, a young scholar of Nelson Street School tugged at the bell rope. To-day he rang it for the last time and the children trooped out of the old wooden building for ever. The bell-ringer was Mr. F. C Gallot, and the ringing was a knell for a school which has served the city for half a century. It is to be closed and pulled down, the drift of population to the suburbs and new schools having made it unnecessary. After the announcement of the prize-winners this morning the children were dismissed. Last evening a commemorative meeting of past and present pupils and teachers was held. The history of the school, which was erected in 1877, was outlined by Mr. O. Mcßrine, secretary of the city school’s committee. The first headmaster was Mr. John Brabazon, who had three assistants. In 1879 the staff was increased to 11. The roll number was at one time 550, but it had dwindled down to 400 and only nine teachers were required. Speeches were made by Messrs. T. Turbott, headmaster, Stratford, committeeman Trayer, an ex-headmaster, and Armstrong, ex-assistant master. Mr. Millar, chairman of the school committee, presented the certificates of proficiency and attendance.