Willson's River School

1907 Owing to the transfer of Miss E. O. Taylor to a school in the northern district, the Willson's River school is at present without a teacher.

Empire Day at Willson's River.

1908  Empire Day and Arbor Day being two days the young folk look forward to during the year, Monday (May 25) was kept up with great rejoicing by the children of Willson's River School, who, with their friends and parents, totalled some 30 persons. The weather was most propitious for outdoor sports, as no rain fell during the afternoon, and the slight breeze that was blowing served to keep the Union Jack gaily fluttering above the playground. 

Rounders was the first game indulged in, in which children and elders joined. In quick succession came the various races for the little ones, which were heartily contested. The young ladies' race, for which four entries had been received, caused great excitement. A dead heat was run by Miss Clark and Miss B. Willson. Deciding to run it off again they did so but with the same result. As the young ladies could not be made to see the fun (from the spectators point of view) of running it off again, they decided to divide the prize-money and be thankful for small mercies. 

A blindfold race and a boot race, also formed part of the programme and a lolly scramble put the finishing touch on the out-door amusements. The donations for the prize money being most liberal, nearly every contestant won something, and some of them were convinced that they had laid the foundation of a young fortune. 

At dusk the children were the guests of the teacher supported by her aide-de-camp (Miss R. Willson) in the schoolroom. Due justice was done to the good things provided, and then the elder ones were invited to partake of Miss Clark's hospitality. All went as ' Merrily as a wedding bell' until the repast was half finished when we were calmly informed that a rendering of the National Anthem was required of us before any person was allowed to take their departure. This statement had the effect of damping our appetites slightly, and many a furtive glance was cast at the hat-rack. 

One young gentleman smarter than the rest managed to take French leave of his friends. Numerous were the offers to sally forth and capture the deserter, but all were promptly declined, as our astute hostess saw through their little game and stationed her aide-de-camp at the entrance with strict orders to allow no one to pass out. 

A little trouble was experienced in pitching the keynote (one facetious gentleman offering to go to a neighboring piano strike C and return with it) but this difficulty was met by Miss Clark who with great resource seized on a dining fork, using it instead of the usual two-pronged departmental affair. After much humming and hawing, and shuffling of feet (one of our renowned basses clambering up on to the rafters in order to reach the higher notes as he gravely explained to the rest) a start was made and the Anthem rattled off in true patriotic style. 

Tea over, the schoolroom was cleared for dancing which was kept going until the call for supper rang out, after which the merrymakers wended their various ways home, having spent a most enjoyable day.