VALEDICTORY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 257, 18 July 1918, Page 6

VALEDICTORY

HON. J. G. W. AITKEN RETIRES

FROM CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE EDUCATION BOARD

Before tho Wellington Education Board went into committee at yesterday's meeting, Mr. A. W. Hogg, referring to tho retirement of the Hon. J, G. W. Aitken from the chairmanship of the board, moved:

Tho board regrets tho withdrawn! of tiie Hon. J. G. W. Aitken from the activities of this department of educational effort, and desires to record its sense of deep appreciation of hi? work as chairman of the board.

The consistent courtesy nnd ability with which Mr. Aitken has presided have greatly facilitated the business of tho meetings, and the best wishes of the members go tli him in his future public work 'id that with this expression ol .ood will the names of Messrs. \» ..nam Allan nnd

John Kebbell be associated. Mr. Hogg said they all regretted that Mr. Aitken had decided to rotire from the position which he had filled with snch conspicuous ability, and in which he had worked with such consistent zeal and assiduity. It was not to bo expected on a board such as tho Wellington Education Board that all would run smoothly the whole time, but Jlr. Aitken had been absolutely conscientious in the performance of tho arduous\duties of chairman. There was no doubt that with the difficult questions that frequently arose tho position was not exactly a bed of roses, but with the assistance which had been offered by members it could not b - : considered a Ijed of thorns. The speakjr said that then 1 was a timo when he had slept 011 a bed of thorns, and a very good bed it-was. The thorns were whnt was known as "Wild Irishman," which when pressed down and covered with a little straw nrndo a really excellent bed. He could only suppose that if Mr. Aitkonjs lot had been a bed of thorns, lie nad had plenty of straw to cover it with in the groat ability nnd tact he possessed. They were ail very pleased at the way the finances of the board had been nursed, which was accounted for by the great amount of Scotch caution Mr. Aitken possessed. Since ho had been chairman lliey had not had any trouble with their finances. Before his timo it Was not nu uncommon experience for some of them to havo to go to the "sweating room" in tho Bank of New Zealand in order to secure an advance of money, and it was s6 bad on occasions that he (who was supposed then to have soiife little influence with the late Jlr. Seddon) was deputed to wait on the then Prime Minister on behalf of tho board. Now ,they had 110 appointments with tho bank—no -interviews in tho "sweating room"—and no very largo amounts were paidi away in interest or discount. Indeed, they had been able to assist the funds for this unfortunate war. The good service Mr. Aitken had rendered as chairman, the assistance ho had been to every member, and tho great work he had done for education entitled him thoroughly to the ■ commendation contained in the resolution submitted. (Applause.) Mr. W. H. Field, in.seconding the resolution, endorsed every -word that Mr. Hogg had said. He know of no chairman whoso conduct was always so absolutely impartial and satisfactory to those who 6at under him. If the "Wild Irishman" (referred to by. Mr. Hogg) were found lying down it was an indication of a_n early spring, and he hoped that this movement would mean a spring to greater activities for the 'public benefit. Mr. T. Moss (Wairarapa) dwelt on the impartiality which the chairman had shown in respect to the claims of tho various districts within the Wellington education district, said that long ago he had come to the conclusion that if a district was at all neglected it was the fault of the member, not that of the chairman. Mr. Aitken's retirement was not only a great loss to Wellington city, but to the whole of the district.

Mr. Thomas Forsyth, as a eitylmember, expressed his appreciation of the sterling services rendered to education by Mr. Aitlten, and apologised for the absence of Mr. E. A. Wright, M.l'., his co-member, whose views he. knew to bo consonant with his own. a personal friend of long standing he sincerely regretted the step Mr. Aitken had taken, and which he had tried, in vain, to make him retract. As a chairman he was ideal. Mr. Forsyth also referred to tho excellent services which had been rendered to the board by Messrs. W. Allan and .T. Kebbell (also retired). Messrs. E. P. Jtishwort'h, E. IT. Penney, E. M'Callum, and G. London also added theiv tributes.

Mr. Aitken, replying, said that he deeply appreciated the kind thoughts and good wishes which had been expressoil by members of the board. When the vacancy had occurred it became a question as to whether he was prepared to serve another four years as chairman. Whilst ho might have considered the matter of another two years' service, he had felt that he could not conveniently, and was not prepared to, serve the board for another four years. Ho was setting up in years, and did not feel so fit and strong as he did. He complimented the members, of the board as a body, which fully considered every matter brought under its notice. There was no wirepulling carried on by members of tho board—that could not be whilst he held the position of chairman, and he felt it was due to the public to know that as something to the credit of the present members of the board. He wished to express his_ great. re<nr'. that Messrs. Allan and Kebbell had seen fit to retiro from Ihe service of the board. Last, but not least, the board had a most competent and excellent staff, each one of whom had the ivorl; nt heart. Of Mr, G. L. Stewart (secretary), he could not say much ill his presence. He not. onl'v Had the work of the board at heart, biit at his fingers ends, and when he came to retire he was sure that he would feel that on every sinew and nerve in his body would be found written tho "Wellington Education Hoard. (Smiles and applause.) Tn paying a tribute to the inspectors, Mr. Aitken said that the board bad been exceedingly fortunate in its chief inspectors, with' whom it had been a pleasure to work, as they were clear-thinking men, who had taken a b ; tr view of things. In Mir. Tlemine they had a chief inspector of wi:le and excellent talents, and in Mr. Bakewell they hnd one of much the same mind and style. (Applause.)

'■'Let me say," said Mr. Aitlron, "that I tliink it will be a huge mistake on tho pnrt of Parliament if it ever thinks of (loins away with education boards. My feeling is that they are filling, and competently filling, a. fully needed and worHuposition in the education system of the nnuntry. (Applan.se.) And they could do much better wore they siren ft little more freedom. Instead of Hint, their responsibilities are being curtailed _by tlio Department. This I cannot think would be an advantage to the schools or education staffs; indeed, under the Dennrtm'ent they would not be anything like as comfortable as they haye been under the boards." (Applause.)