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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
The Waikaia Public School
The Waikaia Public School , which dates from the early days of the settlement, originally stood on the hill when the district was known as Switzers, but about 1880 it was removed to Waikaia township, where it was destroyed by fire six weeks later. The present building, which is of wood and iron, contains two class-rooms and a porch, and stands on part of a section of an acre of land fronting Leamington Street. There is accommodation for 120 pupils; there are 113 names on the roll, and the average attendance is 103. The headmaster, whose residence occupies a section of a quarter of an acre on the opposite side of the street, is assisted by a mistress and pupil-teacher. The Waikaia school is one of the most successful in Southland in passing pupils for eivil service examinations and in percentages of marks gamed.