Page 12 - Kimihia Volume 2

Official Opening of Kimihia School Mr Holland recalled going to school many
years ago along a tea-tree track.
Huntly Press- There was no control heating - only an old
The head teacher, Mr Lloyd, welcomed
distinguished guests, parents, children and friends to stove, which “the teacher stood in front of with an
the official opening of the new Kimihia School on old shillelagh in her hand” - the children didn’t
Saturday. stay long after they reached 14.
He did not think any child would want to
Rain threatened, but luckily did not fall to spoil the
function. leave the new school and hoped they’d look
Official guests included the Minister of education, after it.
Mr Kinsella, and Mrs Kinsella; Mr D J Carter, MP for Kimihia School was really “in the city”
Raglan, and Mrs Carter; Mr J Allen, Principal of now. There were no houses - only a few small
Hamilton Teachers’ College, and Mrs Allen; Mr J shacks - when he was going to school.
Thomas, chairman of the South Auckland Education
Board; the Mayor of Huntly, Dr E E Willoughby; BEAUTIFUL LAKE
the chairman of the School Committee, Mr Richard “We used to have a beautiful lake down
Holland, and Mrs Holland; and Mr Holland Sen., there for swimming,” said Mr Holland Sen.
“Progress cannot be halted and we are left
chairman of the old School Committee. with an ugly scar down there. I hope they can do
Bouquets, arranged by Mrs Gill, were presented to
the ladies of the official party by the head prefect of the something about it.”
The Mayor, Dr Willoughby, welcomed all
school, Sheryll Drew. visitors on behalf of the citizens of Huntly and
Mr R Holland welcomed all and expressed his
committee’s pleasure at the fine new building. sympathised with the children for having to
They had written to the South Auckland Education come to school on Saturday.
Board four or five years ago. Board members had come Mr Thomas, chairman of the South
out and the present site had been picked. The beautiful Auckland Education Board, expressed his
pleasure at being present at the opening of the
new school had been worth waiting for.
Mr Holland thanked his committee and parents. new building.
Kimihia school opened with money He had been “one of the gentlemen whose
for swimming baths already raised. They had not been elbow Mr Holland had jogged.” He had been
built as the committee thought it was better to wait till the horrified when he saw the old building and had
danger of frosts cracking the new concrete had passed. agreed a new school was needed.
Mr Holland Sen. said the old committee had It was the first one built in permanent
applied for a new school a long time ago -the material - Mr Kinsella didn’t give them
application had always been “put on the file.” enough money and built in the local Huntly
brick.

The Minister of Education Mr Kinsella symbolically “opening” the new school.