The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Educational
Educational.
Carterton Public School, situated in High Street at the south end of the township, occupies a site of one-and-a-quarter acres in extent. The school, which is conducted in a wooden building, was established in 1862. The front part is new but the back part has been up for many years. There are six class-rooms, which afford accommodation for a large number of children: one large central room contains accommodation for two classes. The number of pupils on the roll is 336, the average attendance being 290. The school, which is well supplied with gymnastic appliances, has an unusually good library, containing over 370 volumes, amongst which are the latest books on science and standard classical works. There are good football and cricket clubs connected with the school, and military exercises provide gentler recreation for the boys not devoted to pastime. The staff consists of five certificated teachers, two ex-pupil teachers, and a pupil teacher. Mrs. Jones, the assistant mistress, has been here about thirty-three years, is now sixty-eight years old, and is still able to conduct her class well. She was second teacher in the place, Mr. Moore being first.
Ahia Ruhi Public School, about eight miles east of Carterton, was opened on the 27th of July, 1896, when fifteen children assembled. The small wooden building, which was planned to accommodate about thirty children, is erected on a section of two acres. There is a small library attached to the school.
Miss Elizabeth Rutherford, Mistress of the Ahia Ruhi School, who holds an E2 certificate, was born in Ashburton Gorge, Canterbury, and after receiving her primary education at the local public school, she attended the Christchurch Normal Training School for a year. After five years at Springburn and two years at Pirinoa, she was appointed to her present charge.
Parkvale Public School, which is situated about three miles from Carterton, was opened in 1880 with twenty-five children. The numbers in 1896 were sixty-three, the headmaster being assisted by a pup[gap — reason: illegible]l-teacher. The building, which contains two rooms, is situated on a site of about two acres in extent in one of the highest parts of the district, from which a capital view is obtainable.
Mr. Robert Crawford Drummond, the Headmaster of the Parkvale Public School, was born in Wellington in 1869, and was educated at the Wellington College. Entering on his educational career, Mr. Drummond was engaged as a teacher at the Mount Cook Boys' School for eight years, and was in charge of Te Horo School for two years, receiving his present appointment in 1895.