OPENING OF THE TUAPEKA MOUTH SCHOOL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 119, 19 May 1870, Page 4

OPENING OF THE TUAPEKA MOUTH SCHOOL.

The Tuapeka Mouth School was opened by a soiree and public meeting on the evening of Friday last, and was attended by upwards of sixty ladies and gentlemen. The tea was provided by the following ladies, namely, Mesdames W\ D. Morrison, Roscow, Dawson, C. Eichards, Nehoff. M'lntyre, Brown, Anderson, and Paterson, and it* is giving theni no more praise than is due to them tp say.th^J; it. would have reflected credit on any body of ladies in the "City of Lawrence. The tables were arranged with great neatness, and wer-^ laden very boufttifully — in fact to excess-. Both young and old appeared fully to enjoy thte spread and do justice to the numerous dainties provided. That part of the programme, being exhausted, the tables were', cleared, and the public 'meeting w.as trien held. On the motion of Mr Mailler, Mr. M'Lelland wap" voted to the chair ; and tKe meeting was opened by singing a welUknown hymn, after which the Rev. Mr. Keall engaged in prayer.

The chairman then expressed the great satisfaction he had in being present. He had been asked by Mr. Matthews to accompany him to the Mouth, and ne gladly availed himself of the opportunity. Be. had known Mr. Matthews for several' years, and had worked unitedly with him at -the Blue Spur. In Mr. Matthews they would find a good {eacher— one who would show their offspring a good ex-

ample 5 and if the Committee would just let him alone he believed they would have cause to be proud of their schoolmaster. Mr* Matthews was then called upon to address the meeting. H.e congratulated the School Committee in raising such a neat- and comfqrtabls building, and they could not have opened it in a more appropriate manner than they had done, by a tea meeting. He believed strongly in the goods results attending meetings of that description, and likened them \o snuffers, which had the effect of making the light burn brighter. He thought that all the water which had been used during the evening would not be sufficient to extinguish the light which had be.en lit, or extinguish the good effects which the meeting would produce^ Mr. Matthews addressed the meeting on " Gentle words." He was glad he was on good terms with the Committee, and thought they would be able to work harmoniously together^-at all events he would endea* your to do his duty in the position which he was called upon to occupy. Mr. Ferguson was then called; upon to address the meeting, and in the course of his remarks said that lie was quite surprised to learn there were so many children at the Mouth. He had great' faith in a good elementary education; it 'was the key- to unlock the treasures of the universe — a lever to uplift the earth. He would like to see compulsory educa* tien carried out all over the world. The advice given by the chairman i'o. the School (Jommiuee witn regard to Uie teacher he would strongly endorse, namely, let him alone. Preserve him from a school com^ mittee. The Pev. W. Keall then delivered a long practical address on "Example;" l?ut before introducing the subject he Baid he did not believe in compulsory education, but thought the present system in Otago was about as good as it well could be. lie considered a purely secular education an impossibility. E very teacher, no matter who he may be, must exert a religions influence. Votes of thanks were then proposed to the ladies, School Committee, chairman, and speakers. Mr. Keall also acknowledged the kindness of Mr. Taylor in giviqg the, use of his store for the religions services which had been held there from time to time. With the consent of th'j Committee, those services would in future be held in the schoolroom. The meeting then closed. After the forms and tables were removed dancing commenced, and was kepc up till an early hour next morning* Mr. Mailler, Secretary of the School Committee, deserves the thanks of the inhabitants for the excellent arrangements made by him throughout.