History – Pioneer Christmas

By Lyn Johnston
 
In 1892, a local correspondent wrote a newspaper item about Christmas festivities at Wharehine School. This little school was opened in late 1879 or early 1880, on an acre of land donated by settler, David Smith. It appears the 1892 celebrations were very special because the Witheford men had gone to a lot of trouble putting up and decorating the first Christmas tree for children of the district. The article states, ‘It must have cost them much time and labour, as it presented to the onlookers a really delightful and artistic appearance; and judging by the expressions on the happy faces of the children as they received their presents there from, lasting thanks will be the result’.

Edwin Stanley Brookes Jnr was in the Chair and during the evening Theo Cooper gave a short speech to the children.

Theophilus Cooper was described in The Albertlanders as probably the most distinguished son of Albertland. Although he only spent a short time in Port Albert, he had already started his first job with the Albertland Gazette. He later joined a legal firm in Auckland and, in 1878, was admitted a barrister and solicitor of the New Zealand Supreme Court. He also served on the Auckland Education Board from 1883 to 1901 and received a Knighthood in 1921.

Dorris Holloway and little Grace Moffatt, who would be four on Christmas Eve, gave a recitation which earned them hearty applause. This was followed by a selection of music, described as being ‘rendered with much taste.’ Theo Cooper played the harmonium with Misses Cray and Grice and Messrs Waygood (an ex-teacher of the school) and Worker providing the vocals. It was said that this part of the evening was as much a treat to the elders as the tree was to the children.

Many girls from Albertland families were ‘in service’ in Auckland and couldn’t always come home for Christmas. Gertie Brookes wrote to a friend in January 1896, ‘Mine has been a very Happy Xmas although quiet. I have only been to one picnic this year and that was our Sunday School one and we did indeed have a grand time, went in wagons to West Tamaki, to such a beautiful spot, beach and everything we could wish for.’ Gertie also wrote, ‘What sort of Xmas have you had? I hope it has been a very happy one for you and also that the New Year was a bright one.’

I would like to echo Gertie Brookes’ words and wish everyone a happy Christmas and a bright New Year.