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Reminiscences Early Days.
Have the present generation any idea of what Dunedin was like fifty years ago? Possibly less than fifty of the present scholars know of the exceeding hard and rough conditions of life and surroundings of Dunedin and the now favourite suburb of Roslyn, where our School is so favourably situated; so the Jubilee Committee have arranged, as part or the Jubilee celebrations, for a lantern exhibition of the early days of the settlement of Dunedin, and of those who were our masters and teachers.
It is, almost impossible to conceive what things were like in the days of the early settlers here, but it is in the memory of some of our fathers who are still alive and who were privileged to take some part in the formation of the first schools of this district. There are but few with us to-day of these early pioneers, but of those mentioned in, the official list of early committeemen who were associated with this and Wakari School tbere is one — Mr. John Gillies — hale and hearty, and of a ripe old age. He was one of the first residents of Roslyn, settling here in 1861. He can recall vividly many of the trials and difficulties of the early efforts to secure and maintain schools. His son and daughters were pupils of this School, and are taking an active part in the Jubilee functions. The son of Mr. John Gillies, Jun., is at present a scholar.
Enquiries regarding past days, reveal the fact that there are at least ten ex-pupils alive, and in the locality to-day who attended the first schools—namely, Mr. Thomas Hill, Mr. D. Y. Millar, Mr. James Dick, Mr. W. Quiver, Mr. D. Todd. Mr. James Barr, Mr. Greig Wedderspoon, Mrs. Louis Wraight. and the Sonntag Brothers, while the first name alphabetically on the roll available of the Linden School (the earlier rolls are missing) is that of Mr. James Armstrong. He will be taking part in the Ex-pupils' Reunion on the occasion of the Jubilee.
Our photos of early groups of staff and scholars will, awaken many happy memories of the past. We have endeavoured to secure photos of first year scholars, with Mr. Anderson, teacher, but they are not available. Our best thanks are due to all who have kindly lent us their treasured photos for reproduction.