Page 13 - Kimihia Volume 2

Official Opening of Kimihia School Mr Holland recalled going to school many Mr Thomas expressed his appreciation of
Huntly Press years ago along a tea tree track. the work the headmaster and school committee
had done to get the school functioning, and
The head teacher, Mr Lloyd, welcomed There was no control heating only an old
distinguished guests, parents, children and friends to stove, which “the teacher stood in front of with an wished them every success.
Mr J Allen, principal of the Hamilton
the official opening of the new Kimihia School on old shillelagh in her hand” the children didn’t Teachers’ College, told the pupils why he had to go
Saturday. stay long after they reached 14.
Rain threatened, but luckily did not fall to spoil the He did not think any child would want to to school.
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” Items Given at School Opening
Raglan, and Mrs Carter; Mr J Allen, Principal of now. There were no houses only a few small Huntly Press-
Hamilton Teachers’ College, and Mrs Allen; Mr J shacks when he was going to school. Schoolchildren provided items of interest
Thomas, chairman of the South Auckland Education to all at the opening of the new Kimihia
Board; the Mayor of Huntly, Dr E E Willoughby; BEAUTIFUL LAKE School.
the chairman of the School Committee, Mr Richard “We used to have a beautiful lake down The School Recorder Group began the
Holland, and Mrs Holland; and Mr Holland Sen., there for swimming,” said Mr Holland Sen. proceedings with the National Anthem.
chairman of the old School Committee. “Progress cannot be halted and we are left Infants’ classes gave a charming folk dance -
Bouquets, arranged by Mrs Gill, were presented to with an ugly scar down there. I hope they can do “in and out the windows.” One or two
the ladies of the official party by the head prefect of the something about it.” appeared to go in the wrong “window,” which,
school, Sheryll Drew. The Mayor, Dr Willoughby, welcomed all for a sympathetic audience, only added to the
Official Party at the 1967 opening ceremony.
Mr R Holland welcomed all and expressed his visitors on behalf of the citizens of Huntly and fun. Rear: Mr Kinsella - Minister of Education, J.B.Lloyd -
committee’s pleasure at the fine new building. sympathised with the children for having to A clever folk dancing display; a Scottish Head Teacher Kimihia, J.Thomas -
They had written to the South Auckland Education come to school on Saturday. country dance was given by children from the Chairman South Auckland Education Board,
Board four or five years ago. Board members had come Mr Thomas, chairman of the South senior school. Dr E.E.Willoughby - Mayor of Huntly.
out and the present site had been picked. The beautiful Auckland Education Board, expressed his Huntly West School gymnastic group - Middle: Mr Holland Snr - Elderly Past Pupil of the old
new school had been worth waiting for. pleasure at being present at the opening of the Waikato and Auckland school champions - Kimihia School, D.Carter - MP for Raglan,
B.Grut, T.Hunt, J.Allen -Principal Hamilton
Mr Holland thanked his committee and parents. new building. gave a clever display in spite of the lack of
Kimihia school opened with money He had been “one of the gentlemen whose space. Two songs by Messrs Yates and Teachers College.
for swimming baths already raised. They had not been elbow Mr Holland had jogged.” He had been Reece Jones was enjoyed by all. Front: G.White, Ron Holland - Chairman School
Mrs J.Ivory - Secretary School
Committee,

built as the committee thought it was better to wait till the horrified when he saw the old building and had Committee, E. Jones.
danger of frosts cracking the new concrete had passed. agreed a new school was needed. Absent: Mr M.Gerrand.
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.

Kimihia pupils folk-dancing as part of the day’s entertainment at the official opening of the school.
Saturday 17th August 1967.