Little Wanganui School and pupils, about 1931.

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DescriptionDown by the mouth of the Little Wanganui River, the Ramussens owned a farm with a small boardinghouse strategically placed for travellers walking round the rocks from Mohikinui.
They realised that their 5 children needed an education so a room in their house was made available for this purpose and one of their daughters began teaching.
The Education Board heeded their requests for help in 1894, setting up an "aided" school, with Miss Julia Curtin on a salary of £20.
Next year the Jenkins children were additions to the roll, swelling the numbers to 10 or 11.
In 1902, a new room was constructed from pit-sawn timber. This room, situated at the end of the long Kongahu straight where the road turns inland to te Namu, was roughly built with cracks in the sides, allowing the children to watch for Harry Holder on his pack horse with the mail and the other odd passer-by.
In 1907, a replacement for this draughty place was built on the same site by Mr Patz. it was a well built room, costing £225.
The roll increased to approximately 18 in 1909, falling slightly during the Great War years, but recovering in the 1920's to reach 23.
Following the big quake in 1929, sea erosion became a problem and the School was threatened to the degree that the sea was right against the chimney.
The settlers petitioned to move the School inland, and in 1930 a section was purchased from Mr Calairi.
The following year the School was shifted. It remained on the new site where the Little Wanganui Hall now stands till 1946 when the pupils were taken to Karamea and the School building was sold.Date of Photo1931.Map^[1]ContributorClaire Ward

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Location (city or town)Little Wanganui

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Little Wanganui School and pupils, about 1931.

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