A TEACHERS' ADVOCATE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16168, 23 March 1918, Page 5

A TEACHERS' ADVOCATE.

PRESENTATION TO Mil E. U. JUST. Tho esteem iu which Mr E. U. Just, president of the North Canterbury Educational Institute, is held, by his fellowteachers, was evidenced by tho largo gathering last evening, which met to make him a presentation upon the occasion of his retirement from the teaching profession after 52 years' service, tho lust 28 of whit'll havo been spent at the Lvttelton District High Sciiool as headmaster. Mr J. E. Purchaso, vicepresident of the Educational institute, presided. ■ A telegram was 'received iroin the Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education, regretting his ihability to attend, and expressing his warm appreciation of tho long; faithful, and ctticient service Mr Jußt had rendered as a public school teacher. Ho sincerely hoped Mr Just would be spared for many more years to enjoy tho benefits of superannuation which ho had so well earned Mr C. H. Opie, chairman of the Can. terbury Education Board, regretted the loss of such a teacher as Mr Just, who was in the front rank or the profession in New Zealand, and conducted his work at tho Lyttclton school with remarkable success. Tho people of Lyttelton had been very fortunate indeed to have retained his services for so long. Mr Just had always championed the cause of the teachers, and he (Mr Opic) hoped Mr Just -would do further good work in his new position in the interests of education' Mr W. Brock, chief inspector of schools for Canterbury, stated that in Mr Just the teachers'wore losing their great advocate, and all would remember what he had done for them. He was one who had upheld.the noblest ideas in regard to the profession. Miss Chaplin, on behalf of the women teachers ol' North Canterbury, offered Mr Just their thanks for his work on their behalf, and their best wishes for his future. Mr Just must have given a great deal of his time working on be. half of the teachers. Now he was goincr to onjov the benefit of the superannuation scheme for which lie had worked so strenuously. Mr F. T. Evans, speaking for the male teachers, expressed their deep gratitude to Mr Just for his work on their behalf. There had not been a reform during tne past twenty-five yfcars in New Zealand to ameliorate the lot of the teachers that Mr Just did not have a large hand in. Though h* believed they possessed a sympathetic Minister and heads, there was considerable apathy iu regard to educational matters, and Mr Just had consented to try, during jthe next few to shake things tip. Men in other branches of tbe service went out with six months' full pay, whereas the teacher went out with a mere formal expression of thanks. This should not be. Mr Just was soing to live in the

hearts of his fellow-workers for all time. He had never spared himself, and ho would bo much missed. He would bo leaving a gap in their ranks that they would never be able to till in their time. Mr Just, who was greeted with musical honours and cheering, was then presented by the chairman with a gold keyless watch, in making the presentation, Mr Purchase said Mr Just had .been the foremost in urging reform during tho past twenty-five years. Only the latest reform secured, that in regard to sick pay, had been obtained as the result of the unanswerable arguments advanced by him. They were delighted to know that ilr Just had consented for a short time to iill the position of organising secretary to the Institute. }le was a!x)iit to start on a campaign to secure from the people in power certain necessary reforms. In conclusion Mr Purchase assured Mr Just of the deep-felt gratitude of teachers to him. Mr Just, in the course of his reply, urged teachors to support their Institute. They need never be ashamed :jf the work the New Zealand Educational Institute had performed. It had inaugurated or assisted to bring into operation every educational reform sinco its institution thirty-six years ago. The Institute proposed to- bring tinder the notice of the public the national system of education. The Institute not only existed for the benefit of its members, but for the benefit also of educational ] matters, and it had supplied funds to- j wards that object. ! During the evening an excellent musi- \ enl programme was supplied.