WAVERLEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19723, 14 December 1926, Page 2

WAVERLEY

KOHI SCHOOL SUCCESSFUL JUBILEE (From the “Chronicle’s” Special Correspondent). On Tuesday last Kohi presented a bright and busy appearance on the occasion of the jubilee of the Kohi Public School. Extensive celebrations had been arranged for the event, and long before the hour marking the commencement of proceedings, visitors from the surrounding district and outside centres thronged the hall to its capacity. Prominent amongst the visitors was Mrs A. Bremer, the first teacher at the school, who was appointed! by tho Wellington Education Board in *1876. Afrs Bremer, then Afiss Wilkinson, remained at the school for two years, when she resigned on her marriage to Mr Adolph Bremer. At that time, the chairman of the school committee was the late Mr John Kenah. At the recent re-union was Afr Andrew Riddell, who was one of tho pupils at the opening of the school, at which time he was four years old. The youngest pupil at the opening was Air Jav.es Walker, Jnr., now residing in Feilding. Air John AfcLean, of Kapuni, also one of the school’s first students, spoke with appreciation of the instruction rendered him bv Afrs Bremer. Another well-known identity noticed at the gathering was Afr T. Hone, who has resided in the Kohi district for some 56 years, and is perhaps the oldest resident in the district. A Well Organised Function Evidences of the large amount of work put by the committee into preparations for the function were visible on every hand. It was apf>arcnt that no efforts had been spared towards making the celebrations successful. The main hall had been attractively deeorated with native foliage and streamers, while a large marquee with a covered approach from the hall was commissioned as a supper room. From 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. dancing was indulged in by those present, after which the gathering occupied the supper room, Air Sheldon Hone presiding. Apologip s for absence were received from Alessrs H. G. Dickie, M.P. for Patea, W. A. Collins, and W. H. Swanger (Wanganui Education Board), aqd also from a number of old students. After tho loyal toast, Afr AfcLean proposed the toast “Old Pupils,” and expressed regret that all of these were unable to attend. Afr E. C. Hone, replying, stated that

the pupils appreciated the school. He hoped present pupils would uphold the best traditions of the school, and do as well as past students. Mr A. Riddell, in proposing the health of Mrs Bremer, the school’s first, teacher, paid a warm tribute to her work. Mrs Bremer, in her reply, said she wished she deserved all that had been said about her. It gave her the greatest pleasure to attend the gathering, and she thanked them for the kind way in which they had drunk her health. Mr J. Riddell proposed the toast of the Wanganui Education Board. Ho stated that ho had an idea that too much money was spent in the towns. In the country districts, school sites were frequently given free of cost. At the same time the cry was to go on the land, and not congregate in Iho towns. They had, however, much for which to thank the Board. Sympathy For Country Schools Mr E. F. Hemingway responded on behalf of the Education His sympathies were alway g with country school children, who were . greatly handicapped. Mr Hemingway congratulated the committee on the success of their function, and wished them every success in the future. Functions such as they wore holding were good and served to remind them of the work of the pioneers. Very often, in their enthusiasm for the new, they were apt to forget the old. The speaker paid a tribute to the chairman of the .Boarn. Mr W. A. Collins. He hoped he would occupy his present position for many years. Mr Hemingway proposed the health , of Mr T. Hone, the district’s oldest! pioneer. Mr W. H. Watkins replied on j behalf of Mr Hone, stating that the | latter was proud to have done what he could for the district. Mr McColl proposed the health of j ex-pupils and teachers, and he spoke I of various teachers the school had had I He referred to Mr Mountfort, the pro- i sent master, who had proved his work • by getting all his pupils through pro- i ficiency. The speaker eulogised Mr W. I H. Watkins, one .of the school’s first ! pupils. .Mr Watkins suitably replied. j Old Associations Mr A. Riddell gave some interesting ■ reminiscences of his early days at the j <«ehool. It had been fortunate in its j teachers, .particularly at the present : time. The Rev. E. J. Dabourne proposed : the health of the ladies, who. with the! pioneers, had helped to build up the) district. Mr A. MacPherson briefly re- ; plied. The toast list was concluded with the i toast to the chairman, proposed by Mr Olliver.

i Dancing was then resumed and was i continued till shortly after 2 a.m., when j the ga:hering dispersed, thus bringing to a close a successful function. Answered The Roll Call | Amongst the old pupils present I were:—Mesdames I. Bromley, Huston. ! A. G. McDonald, A. Howie, Nicholls, .W. Nixon, Murray, H. Barr. W. 11. ! Watkins, G. 11. Graham, M. Stewart, ! Bensemann, I. Aiken. J. Riddell, L. j Armstrong. H. Lunn, C. Staite, R. I Muir, J. Walker, Jones, A. W. Campbell, Brit lor. W. Oliver, C. Oliver, Powell, Hill, Andrews. Bridge, S. Huston, and Irvine; Misses D. Bates, J. Johnstone, Hughes, M. Johnstone. A. Howie, C. Howie, E. H. Murray, ami G. Watkins; Messrs M. Johnstone, S. Soland, V. McLean, W. IT. Watkins. A. MacPherson, G. A. Walker. D. Walker, E. C. Hone, C. Campbell, G. Campbell, E. R. Hone, C. J. Dickie, B. Waterland. H. McColl, E. Miller G. Miler, H. Holtham. J. Watkins, R. Bates, W. McLean. R. Hughes, N. Hughes. W. Waker, S. Hughes,. M. Armstrong. J. McLean, H. Miller and A. Riddell.