TEACHERS FAREWELLED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 251, 18 December 1940, Page 5

TEACHERS FAREWELLED

PAROA CEREMONY PRESENTATIONS TO MR AND MRS W. M. CLARK MAORIS' TRIBUTES A large attendance, including pupils of the school, parents and visitors, with a predominant Maori representation, paid l tribute to the services rendered ~ to the Paroa Native School and district by Mr and Mrs W. M. Clark, teachers in charge for the last sixteen years, when a farewell ceremony was held in the school grounds on Monday. Presentations were made by the people of Paroa, the pupils, the staff and several individual friends. A feature of the proceedings was the action songs by the Hukuwhitu Atu troupe and the part singing of the pupils under Mr Muller.

The regard and respect which Mr and Mrs Clark enjoyed was illustrated by the remarks of the speakers, Maori chiefs paying their tributes and' expressing thanks to the retiring teachers for the benefits they had wrought for the Maoris during their long stay in Paroa.

"It is with mingled feelings of pleasure and regret that Ave gather here to-day to bid farewell to two persons who have during the past sixteen years proved therhselves our steadfast friends and neighbours," said Mr J. Riini, chairman of the school committee, who presided* "We feel sorrow at their loss but at the same time we are glad that they are about to enjoy a well-earned rest from their years of labour." Fine Centre of Education. ; Mr Riini said that not? only had i Mr and Mrs Clark carried out their duties, but they had taken a personal interest in every one of the pupils passing through their care. When Mr and Mrs Clark had arrived at Paroa they found the school to be merely a building in the midst of plain paddocks. They would leave it a paradise. It could be said with pride that the Paroa Native School was recognised as one of the finest centres of Maori education in the Dominion. "We have seen many teachers come asrid go- since this school was founded,, but I doubt if there has been ai single case where their departure has caused so much genuine regret," said 1 Mr RiinL "By their kindness they have won the esteem and affection of all Maoris in the district. By their sympathy and insight they have been ahle to win the confidence of the parents. Hundreds of ou.r children have passed through tslieir hands; and I know that of all that number they have not made a single enemy: rather they know and appreciate that they have been made better men and women by the training they received under Mr and Mrs Clark."

Fostering. the Arts. ! Mr Riini said there was a very important aspect of Mr Clark's 'work which had to be mentioned. Mr Clark was. one of those rare jpakehas who realised the necessity 'of maintaining interest in native arts and crafts. Being an expert carver himself he had carefully fostered the Maori art among the boys and many fines pecimens ...of carving had resulted. The girls had not been allowed to forget the old industries and customs and Maori songs and hakas had always been encouraged. "This, to my mind, is one of the best features of Mr and Mrs Clark's term at Paroa, for unless these things are taught to our young people they will be quickly forgotten and lost forever." said Mr Riini. "And now, Mr and Mrs Clark, we. your Maori friends, are about to bid 3 T ou farewell. We feel that you have done a great and wonderful - work in' our community and we do -jiot like losing you. But at the same time wq wish you health and happiness in your new surroundings, wherever that may be. May the blessings of Almighty God be upon you always. itia Ora."

Progress Reviewed. Mr T. Grant, the only pakeba member of the school 'committed, followed. He said that Mr and Mrs '-ark had been not only teachers— but friends. They had spent 16 years third of tlieir teaching - a. and during that p v—i from their work in the

school, they had been, always willing and eager to Help, those ij> trouble. f

Mr Te Koop a Tthvlmio, first of the sub-tribe Representatives to spe&k, had the services of Mr Riini as interpreter. He said he was pleased ; to see that the Maoris had gathered ' to I'arewell the teachers. Reviewing the progress of educational facilities In the district. Mr Keepa Tawhaio said that many years ago the Government provided a raupo whare at Otamauru as a school to serve the natives. From there the centre was transferred- to Owhataiti and 18 years ago a building had been erected 011 the present site.

The Maoris' Wish;

Before Mr and Mrs Clark arrived to take charge there were no results to show. He did not suggest that it was the lack of ability 011 the pa.rt of previous- teachers, but results spoke lor 'themselves and until the present teachers arrived there were few pupils passing on to secondary education. Over the period.jri which Mr and Mrs Clark had had charge there was an average of' eight 01 nine annually going on for higher education. "Now, after 16 years, thdy are parting fro'ttl us and we a:re all sorry," said Mr Keepa Tawhaio. "The ,\vish of the natives is that the Education Department leave the teachers here for another 16 years.'* The speaker regretted that he was born too early to avail himself, of Mr and Mrs guidance. "Our word ol farewell is that you have done well for the children and parents of the Paroa : district. Goodbye, Good-bye, Good-bye."' Further Tributes;. . In a vigorous speech, in which gestures and Avords drew laughs and applause from the children, Mr Ngairo Aniheta added his tribute to that of the previous speakers-. He 1 also wished he had been boirn later and he had no doubt that in> that case, under Mr and Mrs Clark's tuition, he would have become a' lawyer—or someone holding a position of authority. ■

Mr Akuhata Kiingi, whose speech; also was interpreted by Mr Riini, said conditions /had- changed: \V>itiii the coming of Mr and Mrs Clark. He was pleased that they had come and they had done good work for the children,- the school and- the.- district. He, did not Avant to see them

go. Mr Akuhata Kiingi tlien^.demonstrated the Waiata Maori, evoking applause. The fourth representative of' the : sub-tribes, Mr Rutene Utauta, opened his remarks with a Maori recitation and in his interpreted speech endorsed the eulogistic remarks made by the former speakers. Mr C. C. Southey, headmaster of the Wliakatane District High School expressing thanks for the invitation to be present, said that as a teacher lie appreciated the gesture to Mc and Mrs Clark, who had done well for the district. On behalf of the pakeha teachers lie wished them well and knew that in their retirement • they would enjoy pleasant memories of Paroa. "By, Making Friends We Have Prospered)." Mr H. J. Ryde,, formerly in cliarge of the Poroporo> NativeSchool, said he was pleased to see such a gathering of to do. honour to Mr and Mrs Clark, an honour they richly deserved. He could endorse everything that had been said of the guests-;, arrd tausted that they would be to enjoy t,lieir years of .rest.

Presentations were made von be- . half of the pupils, oa> silver fruit bowl); "On behalf of aM those who wish you well" (silver rose bowl and c 1 ock-barometer));: fiVoim the staff (reading lamp); Mrs Rondston (a smoke-stand); Miss- T tutus (brooch) and Mrs Tutua, who to Mrs Clark a greenstone mere. Replying, Mr Clark said life ha-.l been overwhelmed by the many nicethings said of them. It was trite-. that they had done their best foi* the children, but they were only doing their duty. In activities not associated/ with school work they had strived for the progress anil well-being of the district and its community'. "Mr Grant said he thought- that leaving pleasanL memories was the. greatest thing," said Mr Clark, <4 btit I really think that the greatest thing one can do is to make friends. One friend is worth a dozen enemies and by making friends' we.,,have , "prospered well." Following Mr Clark's acknowledge v . rrifint, refreshments - were a gMjM