OHAKUNE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 136, 11 February 1915, Page 3

OHAKUNE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

OFFICIAL OPENING. Members of the Wanganui Education Board visited Ohakune yesterday to officially open the new school. The Mayor, a number of the committee, and a large number of the scholars' mothers were present, but the male section of the parents was conspicuous by its absence, due, no doubt, to Crown Lands affairs. The members of the Beard, Messers F. Pirani (chairman), T. A. Harris, P. Purnell and Bruce, and Messers W. H. Swanger (secretary). R. Hoed (archi tect), E. R. Hodge (builder), J. Grant (Agricultural Inspector), and L. J. Watkins (art instructor), arrived at 2 o'clock after a tour of inspection round ihe district. The children, to the accompaniment of the piano played by Mrs R. J. Dunn, marched from their various class-rooms into the spacious,

tastily-decorated Assembly Hall, where tiiey opened the ceremony by singing in grand style, "John Peel," then Master George Foreman rendered "Tipperary," the school joining in the chorus, after which the. children rendered together "Ye. Banks and Braes." OPENING SPEECHES. The Rev. Mr Smith (chairman ot the committee) who presided, welcomed those present. He expressed regret at the absence of the headmaster, Mr Blyth, owing to the death oi Mrs Blyth. The people, at his instance, rose en masse as a mark of sincere sympathy with Mr Blyth. Later Mr Smith thanked the Education Board on behalf of his committee, and parents in general, for, the great things it had done for Ohakune. It was only two years ago that a scheme was laid to procure a school building for Ohakune that.would provide efficient accommodation for some time to ccme But they had received a building far beyond their expectations, thanks tc the Education Board. (Applause).

The Mayor, Mr G. J. Goldfinch said it gave him great pleasure to welcome the Education Board and other

gentlemen who were present, to assist in the opening oi their splendid school. Great ci edit, was due to "Mr Pirani in partciular, and to the Board in general for such a palatial edifice. If it had not been for these gentlemen Ohakune would not have been the proud possessor of which a building. The Wanganui Education Board was the first body to realise the possibilities of the district (which had extended wonderfully of late) and acted accordingly .(Applause). He expressed regret at the absence of Mr Blyth and of Mr J. K. Lowe, the late chairman. Mr Bruce, a long standing member of hte Board, expressed his pleasure at being present to commemorate this great event. The young people were his chief interest, he said, and he congratulated them on having such a grand school. He hoped to see some of them make their mark in the world; men of the highest rank, many of the presidents o fthe states for instance, were educated in country schools under great disabilities. It seemed that those who had the greatest difficulties became the greatest men. He urged the children to do their best to upheld the precedence of th school and district and prove an honour to their splendid staff of teachers,

Mr. G. A. Harris, a member of the Beard, claimed the district to be under his particular care, being, as he was, representative for this portion of the Wanganui Education District. He was exceedingly glad that members of the Beard were present en this occasion to witness the present flourishing state of the district. He congratulated the people on having such a splendid school, a school that compared favourably with any of similar size in New Zealand. He looked to the beys and girls to make the best of the facilities offered. MR. PIRANI. Mr. Pirani, chairman of the Board, then arose amidst aplause. He expressed his extreme gladness at being able to be present at.such a function with his fellow-members. He apologised for the absence of Mr. Dixon, who was absent owing to the loss of his mother; also for Mr. Frazer (due to illness in the family), Mr. O'Dea, Mr. Bennett, and for Mr. Guthrie, M.P., who had been called away to Wellington to receive the portfolio of Minister for Education. Mr Pirani then traced the history of the 1 school which was originally opened in 1896 with an attendance of eleven. The attendance increased to 12 in 1897, to 13 in 1899, and to 14 in 1900. School was then held in a small room 22ft 6in. by 20ft. hi 1907, the attendance having increased from 38 in 1908, to 09 it was found necessary to find better accommodation and a new school of two rooms was provided. In 1909 another school was found and by this time the attendance had risen to 122. A further addition was made in 1911. In the following year it was proposed to obtain a new site and to remove the old buildings thereon.

After a deal of correspondence Mr Pirani visited Wellington, and sue-. ceeded in inducing the Lands Department to transfer to the Board a 10 acre section. Mr Hoed, then draughtsman for the Board, visited the district and placed before the Board a

proposal for removing the school g> the new site, and re-erecting it with additional rooms and a large Assembly Mall, at an estimated cost of £1,705.

In 1913 the Board's proposal was laid before the Education Department and an application for a grant of £BSO made. - The plan was later altered somewhat to alter for a larger Assembly Hall. The Board experienced great difu&ulties in getting the Government to lcok upon the proposed work as urgent. Mr Guthrie, N.P., took the matter in hand and after a deputation had waited on the Government it was agreed that it would be treated as urgent if the Board thought it was the most important work in the district. The Board was of opinion that it was of primary importance. The amount applied for was granted in 1914, temporary arrangement beina quietly made for the accommodation of the children and the scheme was put into effect Mr Hood, the Board's architect, and Mr Hedge, the foreman, deserved tc be complimented on lite way they carried out their part of the work. The building as it stands consists of 7 class rooms, an assembly hall 60ft by 35ft, and hat and cloak rooms, a store re':in, headmaster's room, male teacher's room and female teacher's room. Further provision has been made for fuller additions. The build : ihg3 were absolutely up-to-date, and its sanitation was of the most approved style. The total cost of the work, including furnishing, etc., was £1,87?.. Speaking with reference to seondary education, Mr Pirani said he considered it would not be long before Ohakune had a high school. (Applause). It was desirous for making the place a' centre for secondary eduatipn in the dds.tr ft; and on fcucdi a scale that the pupils would have the opportunity of qualifying direct for University training. (Applause). It was also desirable that a branch for agriculture be established, and to train the beys thoroughly in that direction He made the headmaster an offer to pick cut any two boys from eithei standard 5 or standard 6, who would be sent, cratis, tc Mr Short's agricultural classes to be held shortly. They would spend a fortnight there and get an insight into the essentials of agricultural' matters. (Applause). Mr Pirani complimented the people on having such an efficient staff to train their children.

After dealing further with the importance of proper education, Mr Pirani formally dedicated the building and grounds to the public use, and declared the building open, amidst applause. A very edible afternoon tea was provided.

A large number gathered again in the evening when various orators delivered speches on educational matters. A most enjoyable concert programme was also rendered.