introduction ~

As chairman of the Committee responsible for the organisation of this function, it is my privilege to welcome you al l , ex Pupils, Teachers, Commit­tee, P.T.A. and Associates to this celebration to mark the anniversary of 50 years in the life of our school.

It is the Committee's sincere wish that you enjoy the programme of festivities arranged and that this reunion wil l enhance the pride we feel for our school.

We look forward with confidence to the part the Mount Maunganui Primary School wil l play in the development of our community and our town.

We, the present day residents of Mount Mau­nganui, are proud of the fact that it is now 50 years since the foundation of the Mount Primary School and we pay tribute to those whose foresight and courage were responsible for that step.

An earnest welcome to all our visitors and to those who were connected with earlier days, while urging you to inspect our Borough and its recent spectacular growth, we express the hope that you may decide to return and once again make your home in this pleasant and thriving spot.

L. V. BRUNTON, Chairman.

A. R. HARRIS, Mayor.

FOR USE IN LIBRARY ,

ONLY f 2_

<7Coic we began -

1913—Original School. 43 pupils. One Teacher. In doorway Mr G. R. Best, a former pupil and now the Teacher in this room.

JASS we are today ~

1963—500 pupils. 15 classrooms. 15 Teachers. Photo shows Infant block only.

TAURANGA DISTRICT LIBRARIES

NEW ZEALAND COLLECTION

c^lessage c{rom the <§outh ^Auckland Education IQoard I have been asked by the C h a i r m a n , Members and Officers of

the South A u c k l a n d Educat ion Board to convey to the G o l d e n Jubilee C o m m i t t e e of the M o u n t M a u n g a n u i School a message of congratula­tions and good wishes on the occasion of the school's F i f t i e t h Anniver sarv.

L i k e so many other areas i n the Bay of Plenty, M o u n t Maunga­n u i peninsula has h a d to contend w i t h unprecedented " m u s h r o o m " g r o w t h . U n d e r such circumstances, i t is inevitable that the " M o t h e r " school should have to cope w i t h excessive r o l l numbers and temporary bui ldings u n t i l such t i m e as new sites are acquired and new schools are just i f ied on existing rolls. W h e n the new-born schools are safely launch ed the ' " M o t h e r " school can then relax i n the knowledge tha t she has played her part nobly i n the trials and dif f icul t ies of the past, and settle d o w n to a quiet period of readjustment and u l t imate peace.

T h e teachers and local administrators of the M o u n t M a u n g a n u i School accepted the challenge, accepted the unsatisfactory accommoda­t i o n , and i n 1955, even accepted the mountains of d r i f t i n g sand w i t h remarkable restraint. For this , the South A u c k l a n d E d u c a t i o n Board w i l l always be grateful and we w o u l d l ike to take this o p p o r t u n i t y of expressing such grat i tude publ i c ly .

Best wishes to al l for a happy and successful Reunion and con­gratulations to the school for F i f t y years of h i g h Educat ional and social standards.

K. C. M . C O C K E R I L L , General Manager.

bitec c&ommittee As w i t h most school undertakings many people play their part

i n br ing ing any plan to f r u i t i o n . A meet ing to consider proposals for celebrating the school's G o l d e n Jubilee was held on 11th June, 1962, and a fur ther one on 25th June. I n i t i a l arrangements for the Celebra­tions were then made, and since that t i m e a nucleus of interested per­sons have worked to provide a memorable re-union and a f i t t i n g com­memorat ion of our First F i f t y Years.

O u r thanks part icularly to M r V . B r u n t o n w h o has been an inspir ing chairman, and to Miss J. Potts w h o has done a terr i f ic a m o u n t of work as secretary. O n these t w o has fal len the m a i n burden . Others w h o have contr ibuted services or served on the various sub-committees are: M r V . M c C a r d l e , M r J. K . W i l l i a m s , M r s E. Carson, M r s M . Young , M r s M . W e b b e r , M r s D . Page, M r s A . G u n n , M r s T . M c G i l l , M r s W . Courntenay, M r s L . Magee, M r T . Magee, M r s D . Fensom, Mrs Pedrick, M r s M . C. L u d w i g , M r J. Patterson, M r F. G i r v e n , M r H . C u l l e n , M r H . W o o d c r a f t , M r F . Dyer, M r A . Pedrick, M r G . Capper, M r R. Fisher.

Thanks are due also to the sponsors w h o have made this brochure possible, and to the many w h o have loaned photographs or contr ibuted reminiscences.

Mr George F. Stephenson Mr H . C. Cullen,

First Headmaster Present Headmaster 1913 1963

M r Stephenson was sole teacher i n the M o u n t School dur ing

1913 and 1914 w i t h an average ro l l of 40 chi ldren. H e was k i l l e d i n

action dur ing the W a r of 1914-1918.

M r C u l l e n was appointed headmaster i n 1962, w h e n the school

had a ro l l of more than 500 chi ldren . H e has had 40 years of service

as a teacher, and l ike his immediate predecessor comes f r o m Southland.

ytistorical Record

U n f o r t u n a t e l y of f ic ia l records and notes on early records are very sketchy as many of the o ld records were either lost or destroyed dur ing the change over of the Board f r o m A u c k l a n d to H a m i l t o n . S.A.E.B. files date back to 1915 only. W e are grateful to the South A u c k l a n d Educat ion Board for what not fs they have been able to supply. T h e first C o m m i t t e e minutes books too, have not been located.

T h e first school report however, indicates that i n August , 1913, the school was inspected by Inspector Burnside. M r George F . Steph­enson was sole teacher, and there were 43 pupils , 23 of these being i n the primers. I n 1914 M r Stephenson was st i l l sole teacher and the ro l l was 38. M r Stephenson went to the war of 1914-1918 and was k i l l e d i n act ion.

I n 1915 there were t w o teachers w i t h 50 pupils , Miss fanette G . Coe-Smith as head teacher and Miss M a n K. Hutch ings as assistant. By 1917 the ro l l had dropped to 42 and Miss E. M . M c L o u g h l i n was sole teacher. I n 1918 and 1919 M r Claude G . Stuart was head teacher, and Miss Kate Shanahan assistant w i t h Miss N i t a Nichols as a proba­t ionary assistant. T h e ro l l was 41 b u t fe l l to 39 i n 1919.

The Mount wharf in 1922. In the centre, bshind th2 huts and workshops, is the original School. The house on left in the distanc? (corner of Tay Street and Main Road) was

occupied by Mrs N. Hi l l , formerly Miss Nellie Ibbotson.

S C H O O L R O L L I N C R E A S E S

M r Thomas E. Mackay was sole teacher i n 1920 w i t h 40 pupils . T h e f o l l o w i n g year w i t h 56 pupils Miss C. Tanner was appointed assist­ant, though al l classes were taught i n the one room. By 1922 the r o l l had increased to 78 and Miss R u t h M o o r e was added to the staff as probationary assistant. I n 1923 and 1924 the assistant teacher was Miss L . E. C h e l l . M r A . L . Jones became head teacher i n 1925 w i t h Miss M . Keane as assistant. T h e r o l l was 107 i n 1925 b u t dropped to 78 i n 1926. Bv 1929 the ro l l was 59, and Miss Keane had been replaced as assistant by Miss M . Payne.

F r o m the Educat ion Board records i t w o u l d appear t h a t by 1925 the one roomed school b u i l d i n g had become overcrowded and a pre­fabricated classroom was added i n that year. I t w o u l d seem therefore, that prefabricated classrooms are not new to the school b u i l d i n g w o r l d . I n 1938 an open air school was b u i l t comprising 4 classrooms and a porch. T h e Headteacher's residence was constructed i n the same year. Further classrooms were added i n 1947 and again i n 1950. T h e school D e n t a l C l i n i c was constructed i n 1950/51.

Lists of commit tee personnel were not kept at the Board Of f i ce i n earlier times, only the names of chairman and secretary were record­ed. W e have been able to ascertain tha t M r W . E l lark was secretary f r o m 1915-18, and he could wel l have been the original secretary w h e n the school opened i n 1913. T h e first chairman recorded i n the files is M r J. S. Kerr w h o resigned i n 1919, and he may have been the first chairman

W e may add a couple of comments to the cold, o f f i c ia l record of overcrowding i n 1925. T h e first f r o m an inspector's report i n 1923: the upper division is provided w i t h temporary accommodat ion situated over \ mi le f r o m the school bui ld ings : this temporary b u i l d i n g measures onlv 23ft bv 15ft. whereas the number of chi ldren to be accommodated is 40. T h e outhouses leaked badly, and as i t rained heavily dur ing m y visit , the result was apparent. I n 1924 the inspectors reported: Std. 2 to Std. 6 should be taught i n the school, and Std. 1 and the Primers transferred to the Parish H a l l .

M r Jones completed his t e rm of service i n 1930 and was succeeded bv M r J. D . Patterson 1930-1932, and by Miss H . O ' D o n n e l l , 1932-1938. T h e n came M r A . H . H i l f o r d i n 1938, and this period saw a number of relievers whi le M r H i l f o r d was on M i l i t a r y service.

P E R I O D O E E X P A N S I O N

W h e n M r S. G . C l i f f o r d was appointed i n 1946 there were 158 pupils and three assistants. T h e n began a period of terr i f ic expansion, w i t h rapid g r o w t h of the school popula t ion . T h e figures are w o r t h quot ing , for very few schools could have experienced a l ike s i tuat ion.

Year R o l l Teachers Year R o l l Teachers 1946 158 4 1951 370 10

1947 192 5 1952 460 12

1948 223 6 1953 473 12

1949 255 7 1954 500 12 1950 335 8 • 1955 414 12

M r Cl i f ford ' s period culminated w i t h the opening of the new O m a n u primary school i n September, 1955.

T h e newr school, however, failed to ha l t the rise, and under M r [. S. D o n a l d 1956-1961 the ro l l cont inued to rise steadily, i f no t so spec­tacularly, f r o m 423 to 519, and the number of teachers f r o m 13 to 14. W i t h the ro l l at 534 i n 1962 the number of teachers was raised to 15. I t w o u l d appear tha t the period of 'quiet: adjustment and u l t imate peace' is not yet.

P R E S E N T D A Y S T A F F

T h e present staff ing, w i t h the year of appointment , is as fo l lows:

Headmaster: M r H . C. C u l l e n , 1962.

First Assistant Master : M r B. Manners , 1961.

I n f a n t Mistress: M r s M . E. C u l l e n , 1962.

Assistants: M r s M . F , Paton, 1951; M r s I . D . H u g h a n , 1959; M r s E. K. Nei lson, 1961; M r G . R. Best, 1961; Miss H . C . Dyer, 1961; M r R. S. M o w a t , 1962; M r s N . Dickie , 1962; M r A . O . B igwood, 1963; Miss E. P. Steevens, 1963; Miss R. G . Garner, 1963.

Relieving assistants: M r s M . K . Neame and M r P. R a y m o n d .

T h e posit ion of Senior Lady Assistant is vacant.

Clerical assistant: Miss D . L . Ensor, 1961.

D e n t a l Nurse : M r s J. M . Rodger, 1960.

Caretaker: M r W . Rossiter, 1957.

1938 Pupils — back row: R. Mi tche l l , M. Woodcraft , T. Wr ight , G. Hardy, J. Ot t , V. McCardle, G. Clarke, C. Carson, Mr A. H. Hi l ford (Headmaster).

cond row: G. Midwinter , Joan Hogan, Mi tche l l , Joy Black, Teschemakershure, Florence Gordon, D. Cray, K. Wil l iams.

Third row: K. Wr igh t , Joan Carlton, Ray Patchall, Dorothy Patchell, Pat Barker, Margaret Summers, Maureen Wil l iams, Dorothy Thompson, C. Carlton

Front row: J. Wells, N. Gaby, P. Burstall , Va lmai Cowling, Pat Carson, Joy Bryan Kathleen Wrigley, A. Peterson, J . Hodg:on.

SFrom the c^irst School Register

T h e f o l l o w i n g pupils were a d m i t t e d on opening day, 3rd Feb­ruary, 1913: A r t h u r Armstrong , K e i t h A r m s t r o n g , H a r o l d Batten, John Batten, M a r i o n A r m s t r o n g , Dora Grove, Frank Grove, Thomas H o w -arth , Nel l ie Ibbotson, W i l l i e K i d d i e , Clarence Kiddie , George K i d d i e , Zellah Kiddie , C l e m e n t Kimber , A m e l i a Ormsby, M a r y Ormsby, R u t h Slvfield, John K i m b e r .

Later enrolments i n February, 1913, were: D o r o t h y C a m p b e l l , Charles Daniels, Cecelia Edwards, A l b e r t Ormsby, El izabeth W i l l i a m s , Joseph W i l l i a m s , John W i l l i a m s , Ri ta Patterson, H a b i n Cooney.

Enrolments for M a r c h , 1913: Charles C a r t m a n , Eric Cartman, , A l b e r t C a r t m a n , Frances C a r t m a n , W i l l i e Daniels, Charles M o r r i s , W i n i f r e d M o r r i s , D o r o t h y Ormsby.

Further enrolments t i l l the end of 1913: A l b e r t Tawa, W i l l i a m Tawa, M a r y Tawa, Lawrence A r m s t r o n g , G o r d o n L i n d e l l , Rangi Rewe-t i , M a r y Reweti , E d w a r d Reweti , W a i t u t u Tawa, N o r m a n M c M i l l a n , Ruby M i l l a r , D a v i d M i l l a r , Er ic M i l l a r , A d a M i l l a r , A r t h u r Rowe, John Rowe, Edward Berr iman, Dora Grove, E m i l y Berr iman.

T h e first headmaster we clearly remember was M r A . L . Jones. H e was very popular and h ighly respected, b u t being a W e l s h m a n was k n o w n to b o t h parents and pupils as T o n t y \ H e marr ied Miss M a u ­reen Keane w h o was also teaching at the M o u n t school, and lef t i n 1927. H e retired i n Tauranga, where he died about t w o years ago. A n o t h e r teacher we recall was Miss C h e l l w h o arrived here f r o m Teach­ers' College, taught for about 18 months , and then returned about 1947 and taught many of the chi ldren of her former pupils .

A l l w i l l remember the opening of the East Coast railway on 21st January, 1926, between Tauranga and Taneatua, and on 28th M a r c h a couple of vears later, to W a i h i These were big days for Tauranga and the M o u n t and were celebrated by a l l . T h e m a i n at tract ion for the chi ld­ren were the side-shows along the Strand, and most of t h e m had their verv first ride on a Ferris W h e e l . A f t e r that many annual excursions came to the M o u n t , the l ine then going to a station near Salisbury W h a r f . Before this rail l i n k , travel between A u c k l a n d , Tauranga and W h a k a t a n e was by sea, the " N g a p u h i " , a vessel of 691 tons, being wel l remembered. T h e " N g a p u h i " was replaced i n 1923 by the " M a t a n g i " of 1349 tons.

- L . F . B . 1922-1930

O P E N I N G O F E A S T C O A S T R A I L W A Y

A 56ft whale came ashore on the Harbour Beach. I t was heard at n ight bv M r foe Vickers w h o lived in a P . W . D . cottage on the water­f ront , and next m o r n i n g classes f r o m the school were taken to see i t , and photos were taken of the chi ldren on its back.

F I R S T SHOPS A T T H E M O U N T Shopping was clone main ly i n Tauranga, Saturday being then

the b ig dav in t o w n for M u m , D a d , and the fami ly . Faulkners' ferries were usually packed. T h e first shops at the M o u n t were a general store and post office owned by M r Jack Kel ly , and a butcher's shop next door owned by M r D a v i d Bain . T h e y were situated near Salisbury W h a r f . T h e n Barneys b u i l t next to the old Arcadia Theatre i n V i c ­toria Road, and M r Courtenay senior had one where the Ships' I n n is today. T h e chi ldren at school d u r i n g this decade were m a i n l y f r o m the P . W . D . and A r m s t r o n g W h i t w o r t h camps. I t was i n later years, after these f irms had gone, that retired people started c o m i n g to settle and the M o u n t began to be the popular seaside resort i t is today.

Back row: Mr J. Winks, Mr J. G. Brown, Mr H. Barris. Second row: Mr R. Henry, Mrs R. Paton, Mrs R. Asher, Mrs F. Heise, Mrs R. White ,

Mrs M. Neame, Mrs N. Butler, Mrs S. O'Brien, Miss E. Pine. Front Row: Mrs S. C l i f fo rd , Mr R. E. Rainey, Miss G. Gwil l iam, Mr S. G. C l i f ford (Headmaster),

Mr J. Howie, Mrs B. J. Gordon. Period 1946-56.

P U P I L S S T I L L L I V I N G A T M O U N T Some of the pupils of this period st i l l l i v i n g at the M o u n t are:

Bernie Baker, J im Paterson, D o r o t h y Furgusson, Elsie W i l l i a m s , George and V a l m a Barney, Laura Bennett , W a l t e r and G o r d o n Best, Jessie Stonehouse, H o m e r and Maur ice W o o d c r a f t , C lyde Carson, N o r ­m a n Lake, Doris Petterick and D o u g . K i m b e r . G o r d o n is teaching i n the room i n w h i c h he was once a p u p i l .

^Reminiscences - G . R. M c C . 1937-1944

I n the early 1930's t w o classrooms held the to ta l number of pupils comfortably, b o t h rooms being st i l l i n use today a l though i n a new posi t ion. M r Patterson was headmaster, and he was fo l lowed by Miss O ' D o n n e l l w h o , i n her " M o d e l T ' was a w e l l - k n o w n figure along the sandv, corrugated roads w h i c h led t h r o u g h the pine skirted t o w n , swung past Banks' paddock w i t h i t menacing b u l l , and over the rise to the school gates. M a n y a p u p i l was glad of a ride i n wet weather w i t h Miss O ' D o n n e l l , bounces and a l l . F r o m Te Maunga , the school bus, Bob Stewart's taxi , brought half a dozen scholars, w h i l e others arrived by horse, occasionally on t i m e .

E A R L Y S P O R T I N G A C T I V I T I E S D u r i n g this period the M o u n t was honoured by a visit by L o r d

Bledisloe, and a special hol iday to mark the occasion. N o less excit ing was the stranding on a sand bank of Ladv Yule's yacht. L i f e at school was f u l l of interest dur ing the years, cold and wet days being no hard­ship, w i t h the stove i n the centre of the classroom dry ing things out , and b o i l i n g the water for mid-day cocoa. A roster was kept for keeping the fire going du r ing inc lement weather. Sporting activities were main ly basketball, hockey played w i t h sticks f r o m the ngaio trees, and rugby on the up and d o w n h i l l paddock covered i n bracken and lupins . A rugby game of note was the occasion w h e n the M o u n t travelled w i t h Charl ie M i l l e r to play Papamoa M a o r i . T h e result of this game, l ike a certain Wales game, is st i l l i n dispute. T h e first half of the seven-aside batt le was refereed by Papamoa's schoolmaster and the second half by Charl ie M i l l e r . W i t h the score level at 3 a l l , C l i f f Buchanan towards the end of the game dropped a goal w h i c h Charl ie signalled as over. T h e first half ref. then charged on to the f ie ld d isput ing the de­cision, and we le f t Papamoa st i l l arguing the result.

S U M M E R E X C U R S I O N S P O P U L A R O f popular interest i n the summer were the Sunday excursion

trains w h i c h pul led up near Salisbury W h a r f and w h i c h were alwavs welcomed by a number of M o u n t school chi ldren w h o thoroughly comb­ed the carriages for 'empties'. T h e shooting of the f i l m , " A H u n d r e d Years Past", was part ly shot at Shaw Bay, and some of the school took parts as extras w i t h the landing of settlers f r o m the ships.

M r H i l f o r d fo l lowed Miss O ' D o n n e l l , and this t i m e a great i n ­terest was taken i n the p lant ing of trees, A r b o r Day being a special feature.

OReminiscences - G . C . 1950-1951

I n 1948 the school ro l l stood at 210, w i t h four teachers i n crowd­ed rooms. By 1949 the posi t ion was eased by the erection of t w o more rooms, and the a p p o i n t m e n t of t w o addi t ional teachers, one assistant taking a small class i n a shelter-shed. Again i n 1950 condit ions had be­come so crowded that more rooms were started. T h e pine trees on the Tawa Street side were uprooted, and b u i l d i n g went ahead. A b o u t this t ime, too, the s w i m m i n g baths were constructed. M r C l i f f o r d , the headmaster, and M r Rainey, had 72 pupils , comprising Forms 1 and 2, i n the one classroom, w h i c h was divided by a curta in . A marquee was also erected i n the grounds and more pupils accommodated i n i t .

Some t i m e dur ing this period the H o n . R. M . Algie , M i n i s t e r of Educat ion , visited the school.

Back row: Miss J. Bull, Mr J. G. Brown, Mrs B. Stott, Mr R. Melv in, Mrs R. White, Mr R. Brickell , Mrs S. Bryant.

Front row: Mrs R. Paton, Mr J. Howie, Mrs B. J. Gordon, Mr J. Donald (Headmaster), Miss G. Gwil l iam ( In fant Mistress), Mr R. E. Rainey Period 1956-61

M r Rainey moved i n t o the shelter shed w i t h F o r m 2. Whenever i t rained canvas curtains were let d o w n , and al l work had to stop as i t became too dark to see.

A certain g i r l distinguished herself at this t i m e by up and giving four boys bloody noses i n re turn for cheek previously suffered i n silence. A teacher described her as having the best 'south paw' he had ever seen.

W h e n school took up i n 1951 the t w o buildings had been moved to their present site at the back of the m a i n b u i l d i n g , leaving t w o lovely piles of broken glass to mark the spot. C u t feet were frequent over succeeding months . F o r m 2 cont inued i n the shelter shed. ' M o r n i n g Talks ' were f u l l of interest. One boy gave one on archaeology. A t the end of the year M r Rainey p u t on a very f ine farewell party for the pupils going on to college. By 1952 the new b u i l d i n g was practically complete. Some t i m e around this period one of the teachers saw large numbers of quail next door i n the m u n i c i p a l motor-camp. T h i s was where the railway marshal l ing yards are now. H e persuaded a fe l low teacher to b r i n g his shot gun along. T h i s he duly d i d , and he managed to get seven quai l w i t h the one barrel. N e x t m o r n i n g , d u r i n g a phy­sical education period pupils discovered several more. N o names ment ioned, b u t M r W h a l e y was quite p r o u d of the e f for t .

T h e new block was completed by m i d 1952, and was officially-opened by the late Sir Sydney H o l l a n d . H e was unfor tunate ly r u n n i n g verv late, and i t was ra ining heavily. T h e guard of honour drawn up, and wai t ing , got quite a soaking, and retired to their classrooms. A t 4.30 p . m . Sir Sydney eventually arrived, and spoke br ief ly to each class i n their o w n classrooms.

T h e most v i v i d recollections of early pr imary school l i fe are of the school fairs. These were held annually, b u t preparations began many months before. Everyth ing was sold, f r o m cakes to guinea-pigs and roosters, b u t the most f u n seemed to centre around the A u n t Sally r u n by the fathers, and the nai l -dr iv ing competi t ions. I dis t inct ly re­member a mother and daughter team w h o took sixty-one hits to drive the nail home.

T h e new s w i m m i n g baths w h i c h caused great excitement i n the school also provided an out let for the h i g h spirits of the chi ldren. U n ­suspecting teachers f o u n d themselves l iberal ly splashed by enthusiastic swimmers. This , however, d i d not always meet w i t h M r Rainey's approval.

N E W B U I L D I N G P R O G R A M M E

- f . M . S . C . 1952-1959

P O R T D E V E L O P M E N T C O M M E N C E S

Nature study trips played an i m p o r t a n t part i n our lives dur ing upper primer and lower standard classes. W h e r e the road now runs past the wharves there was a h i l l covered w i t h watt le trees, and i t was there we spent m u c h t i m e looking for 'treasure', birds' eggs, birds' skulls, beer bot t le and beetles. However, the development of the port restricted our movements, and we were no longer al lowed to use that road because of the heavy traf f ic . T h i s was an unpleasant period for teachers and pupils . T h e noise of the machinery was deafening, and the westerly w i n d blew clouds of sand across the school grounds and in to the classrooms. O n e memorable day, dur ing a heavy westerly, the school was forced to close. Th is must have been very t r y i n g for M i C l i f f o r d and his f a m i l y .

W h e n the new O m a n u pr imary school was opened i n 1955 pupils l i v i n g south of Clyde Street were transferred there. W e he ld a w o n d e r f u l farewell party for t h e m i n the big prefab, w h i c h I notice is st i l l i n use. T h e a m o u n t of soft d r i n k spilt , and jelly upset, was n o t h i n g compared w i t h the f u n we had, a l though a few tears were shed at the actual m o m e n t of departure.

Would you believe it? The pinetrec in this photo is on the ?pot now occupied by the Beach­comber Restaurant. The Ma'n Street cf Mt . Maunganui takes the place of the jungle-like

scrub.

E N T E R T A I N M E N T F O R T H E C H I L D R E N

A b o u t this t i m e physical education began to play a p r o m i n e n t part under the coaching of M r Pickard. O n frosty mornings we could be f o u n d , boys and girls alike, r u n n i n g r o u n d the f i e ld tackl ing each other w i t h the enthusiasm of A l l Blacks. Other recollections are M r Rainey's f lair for teaching long division to those w i t h apparently no number sense, M r BrickelPs " b o m b " , and M r Melv in ' s interesting talks on M a o r i culture and current events.

T h e h i g h l i g h t of m y pr imary school days was the ten day t r i p we took to W a i h i C a m p under the supervision of M r s G o r d o n and M r Bradburn. O u r days were f i l l e d w i t h excit ing hikes, and the evenings were especially enjoyable w i t h square dancing and f i lms . T h e nights held enchantment also, despite the fact that a certain person forgot she was i n the top bunk , and kept stepping over the side.

School committees represent one of our oldest forms of demo­cracy, and date back almost to the beginning of N e w Zealand as a colony. W h e n the Educat ion A c t of 1877 was passed, they were given an i m p o r t a n t part to play i n the new nat ional system of free, secular and compulsory education. Since then , t h o u g h their powers have been amended, they have cont inued to f u n c t i o n actively and to draw i n t o their membership some of our best and most valued citizens.

T h e M o u n t school owes a great deal to the many men and w o m e n w h o have served on their commit tee f r o m t i m e to t i m e , and w h o have played their part i n p r o m o t i n g the welfare of the school.

Early chairmen were: Messrs E . P. Bain , A . C . K. Isherwood, H . C. Baker, A . F. Johnson and E. Stewart.

Secretaries were Messrs W . El lark , J. A . Peekau, F. G . G r i f f i n , H . W . Papps, R. M . Ferguson, A . M c C l e w , R. V . Sutcl i f fe , C. A . W e l l s and J. C a r l t o n . T h i s is up t i l l about 1940.

T h e present school commit tee is: M r L . V . B r u n t o n , C h a i r m a n ; M r F. D . Dver, Secretary; M r s James; Messrs H . Gi lchr is t , P. W . Brake, H . C. Lawrence, N . F. M c M a s t e r , P. R. M i l l e r , F , M c G . M u r r a y .

School

T

(JJarent-T^eacher dissociation O n M o n d a y , 23rd June, 1952, the inaugural meet ing of the

M o u n t M a u n g a n u i Parent-Teacher Association took place w i t h about 50 parents present. M r C l i f f o r d , w h o was headmaster at the t ime , presided.

T h e first commit tee elected comprised the f o l l o w i n g : President, M r L y n n M c K e n z i e ; V i c e Presidents, Messrs C l i f f o r d and Harvey; Treasurer, M r B. W i l k i n s o n ; Secretary, M r s Bostock. Members of com­mi t tee : M r s Page, Miss G w i l l i a m , Messrs C o t t r e l l and Rainey.

T h e Association has at a l l times endeavoured to foster the under­standing of the workings of the school and to promote the welfare of the chi ldren. M o n e y has been raised, f irst through Fairs, etc., and lat­terly by the F a m i l y Levy system, and to provide sports equipment , l ib­rary books, and al l the extra amenities required by the m o d e r n school. T h e regular m o n t h l y meetings offer an o p p o r t u n i t y for parents to meet the teachers and teachers to meet the parents, and to discuss problems of educational interest.

T h e present commit tee of the Association is: President, M r P. M i l l e r ; V i c e Presidents, M r s Bear and M r Stewart; Treasurer, M r s Banks; Secretary, M r s Robson. C o m m i t t e e members: M r s H o d k i n s o n , M r s H u g h a n , Messrs Malpas, Friis , Amos, C u l l e n and Manners .

Basketball Team, 1949 — Back row: Dorothy O'Malley (Mrs I. Bartle), Yvonne Kidd, Irene Fairbairn, Wendy Steevens.

Front row: All ison McCartney, Jennifer Potts, Helen McLoughl in, Andrea Hut ton , Patricia Ashworth (Mrs R. Morris)

^Autographs

(programme

FRIDAY, 8th MARCH: School wil l be open for inspection.

8 p.m. Social and Re-union at the Peter Pan Hall.

SATURDAY, 9th MARCH: 1 p.m. Roll Call and Re-union at the School. 6 p.m. Cocktail Party & Buffet Dinner at the School. 8 p.m. Golden Jubilee Ball at the Peter Pen Hall.

SUNDAY, 10th MARCH: Church Service, 1.30 p.m.

TAURANGA DISTRICT LIBRARIES

A 6 0 3 6 1 2 0 B

LIST OF SPONSORS This issue is material ly assisted by our display advertisers on the back cover and the firms listed below. We extend to them our thanks. The number in parenthesis denotes years of business in Mount 'Maunganu i .

McDougalls Bookshop Ltd Book Importers & Stationers

Phone 203 S (10)

A. E. Page Joinery Manufacturer

Phone 493 (23) Barneys Supermarket

"Still going strong" Phone 380 M (41)

Becketts Radio T.V. Appliances

P.O. Box 2 Phone 155 (13) Homer Woodcraft Building Contractor

Phone 259 M (17)

Mount Pharmacy Ltd C. J . Matson, M.P.S.

98 Maunganui Rd. Ph. 213 (10) Bernie Davies

Panel Beating & Car Painting Phone 129 (5)

Pinecroft Bookshop Where the Customer is King

Phone 765 M (4) Cabana Lounge

Catering for Weddings & Socials Phone 632 (12)

Alf. Stevenson Licensed Land Agent

Phone 418 Accom. Bureau (12)

Miller and Courtenay General Carriers

Phone 388 (40)

Les Malpas for New Cycles and Repairs

Phone 769 (11) Mrs Jack Steevens

Lie. Land Agent Accom. Bureau Phone 424 S (24)

For the Best Meat of all . . . Omanu Butchery

Phone 376 We Deliver (10)

Davies Drycleaners AND DYERS LTD.

Phone 372 M Mt. Maunganui (11)

Thomson & McMaster Electricians to the Port

Phone 439 (16)

Tom Magee Timber Merchant

Phone 434 S (29)

Neno's Hardware for Paint, Hardware, Kitchenware

Phone 522 (15)

E. C. BANKS LAND AGENT 129 Main Rd.

Phones 445S or 702R (31)

GIBSON BROS. 1

FURNISHERS LTD. Store Factory Ph. 107 Ph. 675K

CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS OF EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVOUR, AND EVERY GOOD

WISH FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS

NIELSON S GENERAL DRAPERY Ltd MOUNT'S LEADING DRAPERY (13)

FOR 17 YEARS THE LEADERS IN COMPLETE HOME FURNISHING

AT MT. MAUNGANUI Carpets, Linos, Furniture, Manchester,

Home Appliances, Blinds, in fact anything for the Home.

See

H . H. W A L L L T D . THE HOME OF EASY TERMS (17)

BEAZLEY THE BEAZLEY HOMES ORGANISATION extends its warmest congratulations to the Mount Maunganui Primary School on the cccasicn cf its

• * * A N D WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING YOUR HOME

REMEMBER for New Zealand's finest value in housing —

no matter when or where in New Zealand you may build —

You cannot better a

FROM THE HOME OF BEAZLEY HOMES MOUNT MAUNGANU I and TAURANGA (13)