McFARLANE SHIELD.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16160, 14 March 1918, Page 3

McFARLANE SHIELD.

PRESENTATION TO CARLETON SCHOOL. Tho 13tli day of March, 1918, must always Ut> considered a Red Letter Day in the educational history of Carleton, for it was the | occasion of the presentation of the handsome shield given by Mr Andrew McFarlane, of Springburn, to the Canterbury Education Board for competition in agriculture. Tho Board decided that tho shield should be given to tho school showing the greatest improvement in the work done in connexion with school gardens. It had been known for some timo past that Carleton was the successful school for the year 1918. The people of Carleton determined to make the presentation "a big affair," consequently a banquet was arranged io take place in the Tiall adjoining the school, to which the principal residents of the district, members of the Education Board, and some of the office staff were invited.

Promptly at noon tho proceedings began, and after the good things had been partaken of it lengtiy toast list was gone through. Apologies for non-atteridattce were reoeived from tile Hon. D. Buddo, M.P., Mr Brock, Chief Inspector, and Mr J. B. Stevenson, Assistant Agricultural Instructor. The toast of "The King" was drunk with musical honours.

The toast of "The Donor of the Shield" waa proposed by the Hon. K. Moore, M.L.C., who, in a characteristic speech, referred to liis early associations with the in tha Carleton district. 110 congratulated the headmaster and the scholars who had made a smiling garden out of 1 a wilderness. He alluded to the thoughtfulnes3 'of the donor in offering a substantial priso for our staple industry, and stressed the great need for education of all kinds, using as an example the present plight of Russia, which was due to tno intense ignorance of her population.

Mr C. H. Opie responded to t:ie toast. Mr Sloan's win, ho said, was a meritorious one and a popular one. He eulogised the example set by Mr McFarlane, and emphasised the fait that this district had not been so fortunate as some others in having public-spirited men who were willing to make donations for primary education, although there hud befn ruck men as the late Mr James Gammack and 2£ir Fried lander, of Aaliburton. ' He did not consider that 'all the moucy spent on scholarships was 6pent to the bwt advantage; the education given should be more of a practical kind. He referred to our boys at tho front, and &aidat th? prcjent time our deep and heartfelt sympathy must go out to tliem in the crisis through which tliey were passing. He hoped that the very next gathering, at Carleton. would take tho form* of a welcome- home to them all. He then presented Mr Sloan, on behalf of the Canterbury Education Board, with tho shield, and said ho hoped, in epite of the conditions, to have to go through the same ceremony next year. Mr Sloan mad® a fitting response, describing in a humorous manner all the difficulties he had to go through to bring his garden up to such a high etato of perfection, difficulties he could never have overcome but for tho interest, sympathy, and assistance lie had- received from Mr J. ■B. Stevenson, Assistant Agricultural Instructor. He would like to congratulate the runner-up, Mr Rainey, of Doyleston, who, wa« a thorough agriculturist and a, good Bport.

Other toasts were:—"The Board of Education," proposed by Mr Winter and responded to by Mr Jumieson, chairman of the Buildings Committee: ''Agriculture," proposed by Mr Bunks and responded to by Mr Martin; "Tho Visitors," proposed bv Mr W. Reed and responded to by Mr H. C. Lane, secretary of the Board; "Local Bodies," proposed by Mr Rankin and responded to by Mr Jennings; "Manual and Technical Education,", proposed by Mr L. Watson, headmaster of the Oxford D.H.S., and responded to by Mr R. Grant, supervisor of Manual Instruction; "The Ladies," prtrposed by Mr Cross and responded to by Mr Jones; and "Tho Press," proposed by Mr R. Cormack and responded to by Mr Young. A very pleasant und happy gathering was brought to a close by the chairman of the Board expressing thank 3 on behalf of all for the hospitality of tho people of Carleton.