OPENING OF THE PAPAWAI SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1239, 25 November 1882, Page 2

OPENING OF THE PAPAWAI SCHOOL.

. : OftfiThnrsday; afternoon, the' road-; from Grey'tpwn/fo; FapawiuH presented a'vYery animated Ja'ppoarauce, where,.crowds. :: cOula be seen winding their way to that picturesquo retreat, some ou .foot, and "jtho'rs driving and riding. Mr Porritt, principal of theGreytown school allowed all the ■children a half holiday so 'that they might be able to accept the invitation of the natives to .'.attend on- such an auspicious 'occasion,. the 'natives very'kindly.sending' .brakes to convey the children to Papawai.. ; At (four, o'clock there must havo .been something like-800 peoplb (children and adults) present. When the fun commenced; in one place might be. seen Some amusing themselves with kiss-in-the-ring, drop handkerchief,; ate.-.while'in another races were,going'.' .on. both for boys and girls.; The more sober; of those present seemed Id forget themselves for the time being, everyoue being in the highest spirits. Manihera's house was open to all, where unlimited refreshments were, laid out in that chief's. usual hospitable and lavish stjle. .About half-past live there wa3 a lull in- the proccedingj, when Mr Nation brought a harmonium -on to the ground and got ai! tho children to-, gethor, when they rendered some very nice'i choruses with admirable'effect,- their tali young voices blending together seemed-' to soothe alike both old and young, Nativo and European. Tho scene at this time, was indiscribablc, all the children grouped together in the centro with tho grown up peoplo standing in little knots together iound about, thesuu declining Bonding the shadows of the trees amongst the groups of Natives and Europeans, the' former in their picturesque dresses relieving- tho moro. sober apparel of their pakeha friends. When the children had exhausted their choruses, they were all seated in a large circle ou tho sward and regaled * with very liberal supplies of bum, san.lwiches, and tea, which they seemed thoroughly to -.enjoy. When tea was discussed, they again i resu ned their' amusements, and it was viry pleasing to seo such an intermingling of both races, as both old and young, Mcba and Maori, enteral with great zest into tho enjoyment of the games. At this time -a: great uiauy moro had . arrived, and there could not have been less than SOD present, amongst whom we recognised the Rovs. Paige (Mastatou), Western (Carterton), White, and Porritt, Messrs Wood, Mayor of Greytown, McMaster, Kempton, Dra Taylor, Spratt, and Bey, and numerous other influential settlers. At 7 o'clock.au adjournment was mado to the'school house which is vory comfortable, well.papered throughout, with recesses at ■thesides, in' which th-re are;shelves that will be very handy for keeping supplies Tho room is lofty and well ventilated, and reflects great credit on tho natives, who arc determined that no olfort will be spared '-.to make the children comfortablo while at school. Ovor the enl-ranco door was posted the motto, Haercmi, Haoremi, Haeremi, God prosper our undertaking. The dinner was laid out ia the school room, and. was really a sumpiious repast. Mrs Burcli who had charge of the culinary department excelled herself. The tible presented an' appearance that would gladden the heart of the greatest epicure, as everything in season was to bo had, and the flowers were woll arranged and beautiful,- in. fact one could imagine themselves in a banquet room at ono of tho best hotels. Mr Wood took tho chair ami Mr Skeefc the vice chair, The chairman was supported ou the right byMauihera, and on the left by Wi Maliapukn and about 50 others of both races, Mr Mackay interpreted, After the inner man had been well satistied, the clmrmau opened tho procoadiugs by remarking on the importance of tho present meeting namely tho furthering of education, and how pleased ho felt at being present, as tin i was the first time he ever had the honor of being entertained by natives. He would at oaco give tin toast of the Queen and lloval family which was drunk very enthusiastically, Tho noxt toa?t was the Governor and Government of New-Zealand, which was also well received, Tho third toast was as Mr Wood remarked the toast of tho evening viz—our hosts Manihcra, Wi Mahujukn and the other olwfs. Tile. chairman went on to say that it was not tho first time a great many of those present had .partaken ol tho hospitality of our present entertainers, that all present were fully alive' to tho advantages of education, and our hosts are showing us white people an examplo whbh we might imitata to advantage. By going in so strong for this school they do not intend to let the matter stop here, but are using every influence to make one large centre school for the whola district, at which the scholars might board and reside, Ho would not take up their time further, but would ask everyone present to drink to the health of their ho3ts, which was very cordially done with musical honors.

Manihera, in replying, said: My friends lam very much delighted at your responding 8() well to my invitation to yon to moot me here this evening for the purpose'; oi opcuing this school. Our hcarU are always open to accont anything good which we may heav'froin you, We desire in all things.to become amenable to the law. I do not wish to luar of any trouble or threes being made. My des : rc i-j that I shajl receive any benefit i to he derived from you through education o:'otherwise, I reciprocate what', the Chairman has said as to the pleasure of meeting like this sesiauly together, and I am fully alive to the advantages oi education for tho native children. If there i 3 any trouble in this Island I will always do as I have doce, viz , let it alone as far as I am concerned. Ifanjono comes to fight me I will not fight, but go to law, and sottlo all rows by arbitration, as I am now convinced that the law is right, and if I am offouded. will always abide by the law. All the g-od things you can show us we will follow. We only desire our minds to bo raised as much as possible, and we can see tho only way to' do that is to make our children attend school, aud educate them as far as wo po3-. uibly can. If you see anything wrong which I do let me know of it. and M far as it is in my power to right it I will do so. I want jtobopl.vjelo:) an equality with yourselves. Thoso being my ideas, I have arranged and got this school, and hope shortly to erect a church here, We do not wish to hide our ideas from you, but make everything as public as possible, and hope that wo may long liyo under the protection of tho Queen, I will always help Europeans with contributions for their churches, thanking yon again for coming here this evening, and your good wishes for the education of our children.

Wi Malmpuku then addressed thoso present by saying: My heart is glad to seo you here this evouing for the purpose of opnning our Maori school. I have very, little to say as Manihera has said everything I would wish to say, and I heartily endorso the words lie has spoken; I have a few words to say about tho 400 acres reserve which my father gave to Bishop Selwyn for religious and educational pnrposos, and I want yaur assistance to help mo to try and get that land or the proceeds of it for an endowment for this school; the reserve is now rented for grazing purposes at a rental of £7O a year, I understood that land wus set asidoj for school, church, and Minister's residences to teach us the word of God." I think now that as we have established a schoolproceeds should go to support a schoolmaster and the clergymen. I would like all tho young people to attend school, and that white ani Maori children Bhould learn the same language The Maori land is all going away from them;'l want to see the Mtioriea educated so that they may he able to go and learn any trade so as to support themselves when their laud is all passed away from them, • I watot all of y« who are hero this evening to help us to get land endowment for this school, I think that if the College • reserve, is not used for educational and religious pnrpbse'3 it should revert back to the Maorics whogavo it to the Biahbp ■ tor that purpose I would like (and willdo) my best.to make-this Bolirol a great suooess 5 woultl.liko.oiip central school for the whole Wairarapa if we.could got : the 400 acres reserve.here; would like.an agricultural schojl, and make tho boys learn-to farm as well ii lessons.' He had, nothing further ito. say, 'but would'hke always to bio, the, pre-. :sent l-friendly-;.feeling between, both races,, aiul pioped howithYt they, had started the school thoyvwoiilcl get>all, the' assistance from their, friends they could give them, ■; Andrew Harhine-said that he iully on-1

dorsed what : had '■-: been; '■ said 'by.; both'- '■". Manihflra atid Wi Mahapuku, and wastry r :. , pleased to be there that evening. . .:' \ v ■-.".' ;■-';'.; ; The EevH.V. White proposed the next .'/ toasbj success : to ohr present undertaking, and said that he felt our native friends have . shewn a spirit that we might imitate in the zeal with whisli they had shewn in opening the present'school, he did not see why the native children should" : ; nob; compete successfully with their .more fortunate ~' i European ■ Mends. In .India there? were -'J 18000 children, he thought homo .influences;*-^*, had more to do with education than the mere fact of sending their children to school, with reference to the enllogo reservo which .Wi Mahipnku had spoken about, nl), the . monies which had accrued from that source wis accumulating in the bank' in Bishop ~, Hadfielil's trust, whom the Natives '.knew to; /:. he. a thoroughly upright and Godfearing ' man, oneiwho had done a great deal to the/Otf 11 Natives of Sew Zealand, and he felt sure that an/ monies or land he had in trust TO for. natives would be well utilised byhim for JJ their benefit, he had nothing further to say, but would ask them all to drink " success to . , the present undertaking," which was heartily '' : idonc. .■'!.'.'.', ,; '..'•

■ Mr Mackay, Interpreter, then proposed the'health of the. .chairman,-which was cordially done with musical honors. Ml .Mackay went on to say that tin Maories of the present day do not.know tho Maories of ';_ a few years ago in fact were not recognisable as Maories excepting the older ones, therefore it was all important 'that they should all get a good education, as it was essential to their existence. Mr 'Wood thanked all present for - the cordial manner in which his health had been drunk, and remarked that he had spent a very pleasant evening, and hoped they would meet again ere long, .. : . .... Wi Mahapuku here again remarked that all he Wanted was that the reserve should be used for what it was originally meant for, viii, 'religious and education purposes, as he reckoned there would bo something like 250 ■ nativo children to attend the school. ■■ . ■ -J' 4 Mr Cuff proposed the health of Mr Mackay " and thanked him for interpreting for them., ~ Mr Mackay replied by saying always bo glad to bo of use, particularly when' "' it was for such an object as to-night's,' : ' ■' ■' j. "'■ Mr Nation thanked the Natives the. very: kind and hospitable manner in which they'!' -...: entertained the schoolchildren, Mr Sachcll thanked Mr Nation for giving •• them such a musical treat, as he, in connection with the children had done. After a general hurrah tho school room was oleared and a fresh table laid for those who could not find rooin at the first, when they had finished a dance was started and all " lovers of tho light fantastio enjoyod themselves till'tho' small hours. The thanks of all present are due to the Nativo chiefs for the Yory excellent way in which everything wenVoff, MrC. Jnryisalsodeaorviiigofthe l --: thanks of the visitors.ai he sook a groat deal'-' - of trouble to keop everythhg straight. The whole affair was a great sum,' aud calculated to do an immense amouut of good. . ,