OPAKI SCHOOL PICNIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 429, 3 April 1880, Page 2

OPAKI SCHOOL PICNIC.

Last Tuesday was quite a red-letter day for the inhabitants of Opaki. It appears that having made up their minds to make a day of it, they went into the matter with a full determination to enjoy themselves, and they'did so. We believe the matter originated on account of the children attending the Opaki School passing a very creditable examination when the Inspector was up a short time: ago. 'ln-order to encourage the children, the School Committee cams to the conclusion that they would go a little beyond the stereotyped plan of giving prizes, and also give the children a. treat, Accordingly, a few of the elder scholars were furnished with lists to collect subscriptions from their parents and friends, which resulted in something like -<5lO -being collected. With this the Committee purchased some very excellent books for prizes, and also got a few articles in the shape of toys, knives, &c., for the purpose of getting up sports among the children and visitors, and having decided upon Tuesday as the day for the event to come off, from an early hour, all sorts of vehicles might be seen going in the direction of the school, laden with parents and children, and baskets, boxes, etc., loaded with all sorts of good things,' Anyone walking about at 11. o'clock would have been astonished at the number of carts, horses, men, women, arid-children around the school-house. Abont twelve o'clock, word was passed'to fall in, and in a very short time ample justice was being done to turkeys, geese, fowls, hara, beef, and a# variety of things besides, and instead of : the protons' being for one day only, you would have thought it was intended •for a much larger time, so plentifully was everything provided. . After all,"from the oldest to the youngest,'had been supplied a walk was taken to Mr Welch's paddock, where the boys played cricket for. a while/ and afterwards several races took place,

The girla also had Borne, races yand .other games provided for them, and it was'a matter of amusement to see races.'.competed for by married and single ladies,- the veriest " dot" : having something to do. About 5 o'.clock, all returned to, the school, when the Rev Mr Teable, at -the request of tho Committee, presented the prizes to the children, giving a word of advice to each as he presented it. . After the prizes had been giyen, Mr Teakle said he should like to say a word f .Qivto.to,the children; ':He did - not;want' them to go away with a sermon ringing in their ears, but he would entreat them not to relax .in their efforts - during the ensuing year, otherwise they might be no further forward at the next examination. He would give an instance-of what he meant, A year or two ago, the Masterton Cricket Club were victorious in almost every.match they played, simply because' they liept up practice. Now they were nowhere, because they did not keep towork. It would ever be the same with them if they did not persevere. He thought great credit 'was due to their mistress for -the manher in which they had passed their examination, and they ought to be thankful both to the Mistress and the Committee, for the very excellent prizes which they had received. He been acquainted with them for some time, but circumstances had arisen which would force him to leave them, but he should always retain a pleasing recollection of their kindness, and should always be glad to hear of their success. He asked them to give three hearty cheers for the Mistress and Committee, which was duly responded to. Mr Harding proposed three cheers to Mr Teakle for distributing the prizes. Mr Gossett then requested churchmen to sign a petition to the Synod, praying them to alter the law relating to the qualification of vestrymen, and the Committee requested those interested to sign a petition to the Education Board, urging the necessity for the erection of a residence for the mistress. Whatever need there may be for the former, there is no doubt of the necessity of the latter, aB the present mistress has to walk about two miles and a half to school over some rough ground, with several nasty creeks to cross, Another visit was made to the refreshments, and a3 it was now dusk, and the moon would not be up for some time, the room'was cleared, and the time passed in dancing, &c. When the moon rose a movement was made homewards, and bo ended the first gathering of the kind held on the Opaki, and too much praise cannot be given to those who originated and took part in the meeting? Every attention was paid to visitors, and nothing was omitted to render the whole perfectly .enjoyable.