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Karamea School from 1875 to 1975.
My Story
DescriptionIn his book, "Rambles on the West Coast", Mr R. C. Reid a gold miner, journalist, and politician, who travelled the length of the West Coast about 1883, records visiting the "Accommodation House kept by Host Simpson - here also is the district schoolhouse and snug residence for the teacher.
Three years earlier, in 1880, the school had been built, later incorporating a little Post Office, probably on the site of the present Bowling Green.
The building was 30ft by 20ft, large enough for 50 pupils. Robert Ray was the first teacher, having charge over 21 children. It seems certain that a school was set up some 2 years before in one of the Government owned cottages. Two cottages were purchased by the Central Board of Education for £40, this having been authorised by the Minister of Immigration. The Education Board confirmed the appointment of Robert Ray in February 1878. No record of a roll is available, but, because of low attendances, in 1879, the school was threatened with having "it's master substituted by a mistress". The buildings must have been unsuitable as plans were soon called for a new school.
In 1887, in commemoration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, a book was presented to a school pupil, Kate Carmody, later Mrs Fred Smith, and inside the cover were the names of the Karamea School Committee, which comprised of James Simpson (chairman), Meyrick Jones (secretary), Herbert Dolphin and John Curtin.
Several changes were suggested over the years that could've altered the course of the history of the school, including an attempt to re-locate the school at Market Cross, in 1887, and 14 years later the Board wanted Oparara and Karamea to amalgamate, the buildings to be situated between 2 rivers. Attendance gradually dwindled, reaching a low point in 1902, when only 7 children attended.
Early in the new century sawmills were established and the consequential influx of families, not only saved the school, but by 1908, with 46 pupils, 2 teachers were appointed. By the end of WW1 the roll had risen to 84 and a third teacher was added to the staff. Manual training, in the form of dairy work and agriculture, had started some years earlier. By 1925 the school was ready for District High School status and provisional authority was forthcoming, with full recognition a year later. Science equipment was supplied to the school that same year, and dental services followed in 1927.
The District High closed in 1931, and various attempts to re-open it were made during the late 1930's and 40's, as many pupils suffered considerable hardship having to go to other schools outside the district. By 1947 new secondary rooms were completed and consolidation assured that this department was to be permanent.
Throughout the years various sicknesses had disrupted school attendances. In 1909 an influenza epidemic followed a very wet winter and spring, while, in 1923 and 1929, diptheria broke out. In 1925 infantile paralysis was rampant and the school did not re-open until late March. It was also closed by a scarlet fever outbreak in 1928, and "scabies" was a problem in 1944.
The 1929 earthquake closed the school for a short period but it was the consequential flooding of the grounds that caused problems for some years until the training walls took effect.
A note in the books of the Nelson Education Board, in March 1933, draws attention to the record established by an ex-pupil of the Karamea School, Agatha Magee who had completed 7 years without a single absence. It was resolved that a letter of congratulation be sent out to Agatha and a suitable certificate of award be obtained.
The School had been well provided with sports facilities. Prior to them, the children had to improvise with any means they could find at hand. Organised fights were often resorted to, and one such incident, some 50 years ago, about 1925, had rather greater implications than the 2 lads, George and Lionel, who gathered supporters in a nearby shed, ever anticipated. When young Neil Christiansen failed to arrive home, because he was engrossed in watching the "champs", his Mother went to see the Headmaster, Edward Gilmore. The culprits were caught red-handed and, as punishment, were kept away from the other pupils, except during school hours.
This caused some consternation among the parents of the boys, and one poor Dad, under duress from another irate Mother, went down to say his piece. Unfortunately he missed the Headmaster outside the school, and a confrontation took place in the school. Tempers became rather frayed and colourful descriptions flowed. The Headmaster sought retribution in the local Courthouse, which stood down by the old wharf. The process of the law was duly enacted and one of Karamea's leading citizens was fined the princely sum of 1/-!
For several years, prior to 1948, a poultry section was run but this was replaced by a horticulture project which flourished, especially under John Kelly, a Secondary School teacher. One of the most significant achievements of this department was the establishment of a plantation which should yield valuable funds for the school in future years.
The Umere School was amalgamated with karamea in 1926 and Oparara came in 1939, the only remaining school, Arapito, Kongahu and Little Wanganui being integrated in 1946-47. This meant the transporting of pupils by bus, a service provided firstly by Fred Williams, the Don Simpson. Later, in 1948, Mr Simpson sold his business to Jim and Charlie Richardson and they had been the operators as at 1975. It's indeed noteworthy that there had not been one accident involving injury or loss of life during all that time. This is commendable when it's realised that the buses covered over 140 miles per day.
An incident, which fortunately ended happily, was when the bus was coming off the Karamea bridge one afternoon, before the main road was tar-sealed, the corrugations were such, that a door flew open and a girl rolled out and was actually run over by the wheel of the bus! Because of her placid nature she came up smiling and, apparently, had no ill effects.
The playing area behind the school was originally owned by the Education Board, but was managed by a Memorial Park Committee until 1948, when it was passed to the control of a Domain Board. The play area includes a football and hockey field.
Total consolidation was accomplished in July 1947, with the new Secondary rooms having been officially opened by the Honourables Skinner, Semple, and Cullen on March 22nd. During that year a new cycle shed, tool shed, and milk room was added, and a successful year climaxed with the school purchasing a reference library, projector, typewriter, piano, radio, and sewing machine.
At this time preparations were under way for a swimming pool and after much hard work, both in fundraising, and on the site itself, the pool was completed by 1950. The Minister of Education, Hon. Mr Algie, officially opened the pool in May 1951 along with the Manual Training Block, which had been built from the old Kongahu and Arapito schools, brought in for the purpose.
The Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club was instituted sometime in the 1940's, but when an adult committee was introduced in the early 1950's, it became a very active organisation, teaching the children to care for their property, and was responsible for the rearing of better calves in the district. The calf and yearling classes had been well patronised, as many as 80 calves being paraded, while pets from kittens to horses were exhibited.
A valuable addition to the education facilities in the district was the formation of a Play Centre in 1956. The Bowling Club pavilion was used for the first 11 years until the Play Centre committee joined with the Domain Board to erect new premises. As of 1975, the roll stood at 30 with a Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, and 2 Mother helpers.
In 1957 the old Oparara School was brought to Karamea and used advantageously as a "little theatre", but that project was dwarfed by an undertaking which began in 1966 when an opportunity came to provide an assembly hall for the school. The Denniston School was lying idle since closure after amalgamation with Westport, so it was decided to transfer the building, with some modifications, to Karamea.
The Education Board agreed to the project in early 1967 and by April the first nail was drawn, dismantling being completed by October. John Kelly, Secondary School teacher, Mr J. Garner, Headmaster, Mr L. Volckman, and Mr D. Rhind along with others must be given the highest praise for their outstanding efforts on that project. Some 4,100 man hours went into that work, and, in April 1970, the then Member of Parliament for this area, Bill Rowling, officially opened the Assembly Hall. The building is 96ft by 42ft and the total cost was $1,250, giving the school, and the district, a useful amenity.
Over the years many people have contributed to the successful running and management of school affairs. While it's difficult to isolate names, some who were prominent were Frank Wood, secretary of the School Committee, Les Currie, who was chairman of the committee for many vital years. Mr K. O. Jones was secretary over many years and latterly, the area representative on the Education Board. Mr J. R. Jennings also served on the committee for 10 years as a chairman.
This is a list of Headmasters who have served Karamea School -
1878-1895 Robert Ray.
1895-1904 Mrs A. Williams.
1904-1905 Miss A. Satchell.
1905-1906 Miss T. Doyle.
1906-1910 Mr S. M. Scott.
1910-1919 Edward Gilmore.
1919-1920 Mr S. F. Morris.
1920-1923 Mr F. S. Hayes.
1923-1927 Mr R. J. Burke.
1927-1933 Mr W. D. Beck.
1933-1935 Mr F. W. Kerr.
1935-1936 Mr E. F. Baas.
1936-1938 Mr R. S. Johnstone.
1938-1945 Mr R. A Marston.
1945-1948 Mr W. D. Lutton.
1948-1956 Mr R. M. Stevens.
1956-1960 Mr A. E. Broad.
1960-1969 Mr J. P. Garner.
1969-1971 Mr R. J. Maloney.
1971-1974 Mr D. W. Gallagher.
1974-up to time of writing in 1975 Mr R. J. Cook.
The sole teachers who were in charge of the outlying schools also did a magnificent job, especially when it was considered that they had to cope with Primers through to Standard 6, at the same time and frequently in one room only. Mrs Barbara Pettit taught at Promised Land School continuously for 24 years, Mrs Mildred McNabb taught at Land of Promise and later at Karamea, and Mrs Enid Ray, Karamea, were 3 of the longest serving teachers.
The School has been favoured by 3 Vice Regal visits, the first being as early as 1904, when Lord Ranfurly sailed in over the bar in the steamer "Nautilus", bringing with him as his guest Premier Richard Seddon.
in 1965 the Governor General Sir Bernard Fergusson and Lady Fergusson visited. They arrived by helicopter from Takaka, landing in the Domain. After a morning tea, they departed by car to Little Wanganui.
In 1971, Lord and Lady Porritt visited the school, arriving by helicopter also. They were guests at a reception in the Assembly Hall.
During the early 1950's and 60's, the school roll gradually increased. A school house was built at Little Wanganui in 1961 for the teacher-driver, while a new headmasters's residence was purchased in 1964. However, with farm amalgamation and fall off in demand for native timber, the roll began to decline over the late 1960's.
This affected the grading of the School but in the 1970's brought a renewed enthusiasm in farming and the establishment of the Milk Powder Factory, together with a settling down in sawmilling saw attendance figures begin to climb.
Shared from the book,"Karamea, a Story of Success!" published by the Karamea Historical Society.ContributorClaire WardDate of story events1875 to 1975.Map[1]
Three years earlier, in 1880, the school had been built, later incorporating a little Post Office, probably on the site of the present Bowling Green.
The building was 30ft by 20ft, large enough for 50 pupils. Robert Ray was the first teacher, having charge over 21 children. It seems certain that a school was set up some 2 years before in one of the Government owned cottages. Two cottages were purchased by the Central Board of Education for £40, this having been authorised by the Minister of Immigration. The Education Board confirmed the appointment of Robert Ray in February 1878. No record of a roll is available, but, because of low attendances, in 1879, the school was threatened with having "it's master substituted by a mistress". The buildings must have been unsuitable as plans were soon called for a new school.
In 1887, in commemoration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, a book was presented to a school pupil, Kate Carmody, later Mrs Fred Smith, and inside the cover were the names of the Karamea School Committee, which comprised of James Simpson (chairman), Meyrick Jones (secretary), Herbert Dolphin and John Curtin.
Several changes were suggested over the years that could've altered the course of the history of the school, including an attempt to re-locate the school at Market Cross, in 1887, and 14 years later the Board wanted Oparara and Karamea to amalgamate, the buildings to be situated between 2 rivers. Attendance gradually dwindled, reaching a low point in 1902, when only 7 children attended.
Early in the new century sawmills were established and the consequential influx of families, not only saved the school, but by 1908, with 46 pupils, 2 teachers were appointed. By the end of WW1 the roll had risen to 84 and a third teacher was added to the staff. Manual training, in the form of dairy work and agriculture, had started some years earlier. By 1925 the school was ready for District High School status and provisional authority was forthcoming, with full recognition a year later. Science equipment was supplied to the school that same year, and dental services followed in 1927.
The District High closed in 1931, and various attempts to re-open it were made during the late 1930's and 40's, as many pupils suffered considerable hardship having to go to other schools outside the district. By 1947 new secondary rooms were completed and consolidation assured that this department was to be permanent.
Throughout the years various sicknesses had disrupted school attendances. In 1909 an influenza epidemic followed a very wet winter and spring, while, in 1923 and 1929, diptheria broke out. In 1925 infantile paralysis was rampant and the school did not re-open until late March. It was also closed by a scarlet fever outbreak in 1928, and "scabies" was a problem in 1944.
The 1929 earthquake closed the school for a short period but it was the consequential flooding of the grounds that caused problems for some years until the training walls took effect.
A note in the books of the Nelson Education Board, in March 1933, draws attention to the record established by an ex-pupil of the Karamea School, Agatha Magee who had completed 7 years without a single absence. It was resolved that a letter of congratulation be sent out to Agatha and a suitable certificate of award be obtained.
The School had been well provided with sports facilities. Prior to them, the children had to improvise with any means they could find at hand. Organised fights were often resorted to, and one such incident, some 50 years ago, about 1925, had rather greater implications than the 2 lads, George and Lionel, who gathered supporters in a nearby shed, ever anticipated. When young Neil Christiansen failed to arrive home, because he was engrossed in watching the "champs", his Mother went to see the Headmaster, Edward Gilmore. The culprits were caught red-handed and, as punishment, were kept away from the other pupils, except during school hours.
This caused some consternation among the parents of the boys, and one poor Dad, under duress from another irate Mother, went down to say his piece. Unfortunately he missed the Headmaster outside the school, and a confrontation took place in the school. Tempers became rather frayed and colourful descriptions flowed. The Headmaster sought retribution in the local Courthouse, which stood down by the old wharf. The process of the law was duly enacted and one of Karamea's leading citizens was fined the princely sum of 1/-!
For several years, prior to 1948, a poultry section was run but this was replaced by a horticulture project which flourished, especially under John Kelly, a Secondary School teacher. One of the most significant achievements of this department was the establishment of a plantation which should yield valuable funds for the school in future years.
The Umere School was amalgamated with karamea in 1926 and Oparara came in 1939, the only remaining school, Arapito, Kongahu and Little Wanganui being integrated in 1946-47. This meant the transporting of pupils by bus, a service provided firstly by Fred Williams, the Don Simpson. Later, in 1948, Mr Simpson sold his business to Jim and Charlie Richardson and they had been the operators as at 1975. It's indeed noteworthy that there had not been one accident involving injury or loss of life during all that time. This is commendable when it's realised that the buses covered over 140 miles per day.
An incident, which fortunately ended happily, was when the bus was coming off the Karamea bridge one afternoon, before the main road was tar-sealed, the corrugations were such, that a door flew open and a girl rolled out and was actually run over by the wheel of the bus! Because of her placid nature she came up smiling and, apparently, had no ill effects.
The playing area behind the school was originally owned by the Education Board, but was managed by a Memorial Park Committee until 1948, when it was passed to the control of a Domain Board. The play area includes a football and hockey field.
Total consolidation was accomplished in July 1947, with the new Secondary rooms having been officially opened by the Honourables Skinner, Semple, and Cullen on March 22nd. During that year a new cycle shed, tool shed, and milk room was added, and a successful year climaxed with the school purchasing a reference library, projector, typewriter, piano, radio, and sewing machine.
At this time preparations were under way for a swimming pool and after much hard work, both in fundraising, and on the site itself, the pool was completed by 1950. The Minister of Education, Hon. Mr Algie, officially opened the pool in May 1951 along with the Manual Training Block, which had been built from the old Kongahu and Arapito schools, brought in for the purpose.
The Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club was instituted sometime in the 1940's, but when an adult committee was introduced in the early 1950's, it became a very active organisation, teaching the children to care for their property, and was responsible for the rearing of better calves in the district. The calf and yearling classes had been well patronised, as many as 80 calves being paraded, while pets from kittens to horses were exhibited.
A valuable addition to the education facilities in the district was the formation of a Play Centre in 1956. The Bowling Club pavilion was used for the first 11 years until the Play Centre committee joined with the Domain Board to erect new premises. As of 1975, the roll stood at 30 with a Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, and 2 Mother helpers.
In 1957 the old Oparara School was brought to Karamea and used advantageously as a "little theatre", but that project was dwarfed by an undertaking which began in 1966 when an opportunity came to provide an assembly hall for the school. The Denniston School was lying idle since closure after amalgamation with Westport, so it was decided to transfer the building, with some modifications, to Karamea.
The Education Board agreed to the project in early 1967 and by April the first nail was drawn, dismantling being completed by October. John Kelly, Secondary School teacher, Mr J. Garner, Headmaster, Mr L. Volckman, and Mr D. Rhind along with others must be given the highest praise for their outstanding efforts on that project. Some 4,100 man hours went into that work, and, in April 1970, the then Member of Parliament for this area, Bill Rowling, officially opened the Assembly Hall. The building is 96ft by 42ft and the total cost was $1,250, giving the school, and the district, a useful amenity.
Over the years many people have contributed to the successful running and management of school affairs. While it's difficult to isolate names, some who were prominent were Frank Wood, secretary of the School Committee, Les Currie, who was chairman of the committee for many vital years. Mr K. O. Jones was secretary over many years and latterly, the area representative on the Education Board. Mr J. R. Jennings also served on the committee for 10 years as a chairman.
This is a list of Headmasters who have served Karamea School -
1878-1895 Robert Ray.
1895-1904 Mrs A. Williams.
1904-1905 Miss A. Satchell.
1905-1906 Miss T. Doyle.
1906-1910 Mr S. M. Scott.
1910-1919 Edward Gilmore.
1919-1920 Mr S. F. Morris.
1920-1923 Mr F. S. Hayes.
1923-1927 Mr R. J. Burke.
1927-1933 Mr W. D. Beck.
1933-1935 Mr F. W. Kerr.
1935-1936 Mr E. F. Baas.
1936-1938 Mr R. S. Johnstone.
1938-1945 Mr R. A Marston.
1945-1948 Mr W. D. Lutton.
1948-1956 Mr R. M. Stevens.
1956-1960 Mr A. E. Broad.
1960-1969 Mr J. P. Garner.
1969-1971 Mr R. J. Maloney.
1971-1974 Mr D. W. Gallagher.
1974-up to time of writing in 1975 Mr R. J. Cook.
The sole teachers who were in charge of the outlying schools also did a magnificent job, especially when it was considered that they had to cope with Primers through to Standard 6, at the same time and frequently in one room only. Mrs Barbara Pettit taught at Promised Land School continuously for 24 years, Mrs Mildred McNabb taught at Land of Promise and later at Karamea, and Mrs Enid Ray, Karamea, were 3 of the longest serving teachers.
The School has been favoured by 3 Vice Regal visits, the first being as early as 1904, when Lord Ranfurly sailed in over the bar in the steamer "Nautilus", bringing with him as his guest Premier Richard Seddon.
in 1965 the Governor General Sir Bernard Fergusson and Lady Fergusson visited. They arrived by helicopter from Takaka, landing in the Domain. After a morning tea, they departed by car to Little Wanganui.
In 1971, Lord and Lady Porritt visited the school, arriving by helicopter also. They were guests at a reception in the Assembly Hall.
During the early 1950's and 60's, the school roll gradually increased. A school house was built at Little Wanganui in 1961 for the teacher-driver, while a new headmasters's residence was purchased in 1964. However, with farm amalgamation and fall off in demand for native timber, the roll began to decline over the late 1960's.
This affected the grading of the School but in the 1970's brought a renewed enthusiasm in farming and the establishment of the Milk Powder Factory, together with a settling down in sawmilling saw attendance figures begin to climb.
Shared from the book,"Karamea, a Story of Success!" published by the Karamea Historical Society.ContributorClaire WardDate of story events1875 to 1975.Map[1]
West Coast New Zealand History (9th Aug 2017). Karamea School from 1875 to 1975.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 4th Apr 2026 10:48, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/21019