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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The High School, Whangarei

The High School, Whangarei , was incorporated and duly gazetted under the Act of 1878, was opened in 1881 by Mr. G. N. H. O. Smeeton, who remained in charge till 1883, when he was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. Hawkes, of Dublin University, who filled the position till the end of 1884. Government having withdrawn the annual grant of £200, the latter gentleman tried to continue the school, but found it an impossible task. Accordingly the school was closed till 1892, at which date Mr. Duxfield, M.A., of Trinity College, Dublin, succeeded in getting a number of pupils together and conducted the school for some page 546 time in Cubitt's Hall. Finding the numbers increasing and with the co-operation of many leading townsmen, he prevailed upon the Whangarei County Council, into whose hands the Kieroa Reserves had fallen, to hand them back to the Board of Governors—which had been reformed—and the subject of a secondary school was fully gone into. The result was that from the rents derived from these estates, the board was able to purchase the present site of two acres in Cross Street, upon which a handsome and commodious wooden building was erected. Mr. Duxfield, who had worked hard in its interests, took charge of the school which his energy and perseverance had so largely contributed to establish. After a successful term of service, Mr. Duxfield resigned his position as headmaster in May, 1896, to take an appointment at Christ's College, Christchurch, and Mr. Roger Lupton succeeded him. Mr. Lupton has the aid of an assistant teacher, and Mrs Lupton has charge of an adjoining junior department. Pupils are prepared for matriculation, junior and senior Civil Service examinations, as well as the teachers' examinations; one of the scholars who won a scholarship under the Auckland Education Board is now reaping the advantages conferred by the Whangarei High School. The Governors grant two free scholarships annually, tenable for three years, and in cases where scholars have to board away from home, a sum of £10 may be granted as board allowance. The annual fee is £8 8s. per annum for day scholars, and £30 for boarders. The school is in a prosperous condition and the outlook most assuring.

Whangarei High School.

Whangarei High School.