TEACHERS GATHER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 24, 4 March 1942, Page 5

TEACHERS GATHER

ANNUAL MEETING

PRESENTATION TO MR AND MRS SOUTHEY The annual meeting of the Whakatane hrancli of the New Zealand Educational Institute was held in the Parish Hall last Friday evening, there being present about 30 members. The annual report showed a membership of 51 including seven junior members' and four on active service. During the year parcels were sent to soldier teachers overseas and appreciative letters acknowledging tl?e receipt of these were received from Messrs Chambers, Conolly, Kelly and Hogg. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £15 2s <Sd compared with £0 12s «)Ud and £3 12s GHd in 1939Th c election of officers resulted as follows:— President-: Mr J. E. Bigelow. Vice-presidents: Miss A. Bureh and Mr F. Kerr. Secretary and Treasurer: To he appointed by the Management Committee. Management Committee: Above together Avith Misses GalloAvav, Pridcatix, Tnit. and Whiteside; Messrs GoodAvin, Haeusler, Kedgely and Pyne. Auditor: Mr A. Seebeck. A letter Avas received from Mr A." Bain, senior inspector of schools, Auckland, thanking the branch for assistance giA'en to him while senior inspector. It AA*as decided to write him Avishing him a very pleasant retirement. Farewell Ceremony

The latter part of the meeting took the form of a farewell to Mr C. C. Southey, headmaster of the Whakatanc District High School for the past ten years who was leaving at the end of the month to become headmaster of the Taurailga District High School. Mr Southey has been vice-president of the branch Cor the past three years and before that president for two years. "Mr Southey was accompanied by Mrs Southey aalio Avas presented with a bouquet. The following items were given : Sketch by Misses Semmens and Whiteside; Saxophone solo (Mr Pvne); Three humorous blackboard sketches (Mr Haeusler); Song (Mr Boswell) . A competition was organised by Miss Whiteside. Supper arrangements and decoration of the hall were in the hands of the teachers of the Whakatane Infant School.

Aft£r supper a presentation of books from the members was made by the president, Mr T. Kerr, who spoke of the way Mr Southev had sought to help the teachers of th& district as a whole. The secretary, Mr J. Bigelow, then referred to the work M>r Southey had done for the Teachers' Institute while -Mr H. Haeusler spoke on behalf of the Native school teachers.

In his reply Mr Southey spoke of his associations in the past with Touranga and his expectation of keeping in close touch with the Whakatane district.

Mr C. C. Southey left to take up his new duties as headmaster of the Tauranga District High School on Monday. Until the new headmaster is appointed Mr J. E. Bigelow. the senior secondary assistant, will act as headmaster at the Whakatane District High School.