A GOOD RECORD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2864, 31 August 1916, Page 6

A GOOD RECORD

SIR WALTER BUCHANAN AND EDUCATION. At the . meeting of the Wellington Education Board yesterday Sir Walter Buchanan was present by invitation to bid good-bye to his colleagues on tho board, oil which he has sat for so long as a member. 1 The chairman (the Hon. J. G. W. Aitkcn) said that Sir Walter Buchanan had given 34 years' service to the cause of education, and had in that time given generous and very valuable service to the community. _ Members regretted that he had decided to retire from : the board, and they wish* ed to express their keen. appreciation of Ills services.

Mr. A. W. Hogg, in supporting tha chairman's eulogy, said that Sir, Walter Buchanan had never spared himself in cither money or effort when it came to tho educational interests of the people. Ho had personally-investigated questions brought under his notice. Tha Wairarapa district was not now properly represented on the Education Board, since it had lost one member, and such a valuable member as Sir AValter Buchanan. Mr. W. Allan and Mr. T. Moss also paid a tribute to Sir Walter Buchanan for his untiring energy and thoroughness as a member of the board.

. Sir Walter Buchanan, replying, expressed his appreciation of the tributes paid him,. aud also his at meeting the new members. He noticed the Marlbc-ough members, who probably felt that they had not been fairly treated by the Legislature in being compelled to come across the water to Consider educational matters. However, he felt sure, that Marlborough would Teceive fair treatment at the hands of tho Wellington Board. Sir "Walter.went on to say that lie regretted that he. had been obliged to tell the Government that he could not remain a member of an Education Board when the Government was intent upon making these boards mere ciphers in tho administration of the various Education Acts. Men whose services were of any value should be allowed soma discretion. He had maintained his connection with educational affairs for thirty-four years, because he, as a Scotchman, knew the value of sound education. At tho time that he succeeded Mr. Pliarazyn there were fifty siliools administered by the board. Ha felt convinced that the progress made since that time would be maintained. The board sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" before saying a final good-bye to Sir Walter.