NATIVE SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 45, 22 February 1930, Page 10

NATIVE SCHOOLS

TESTIMONY TO GOOD WORK

Senior officers of the Education Department and the Department's Native School staff met in the office of the Director yesterday to make a presentation to Mr. J. Porteous,_who recently retired from the position ot senior inspector of Native Schools. The presentation was made on behalf of the Native School teachers. Mr. T. B. Strong (Director) expressed regret that no representative of the Native school teachers was able to be present. The teachers desired that there should be some official recognition of what they desired to do to'mark their appreciation of tho work of Mr. Porteoua, and had asked Mr. Bird and himself to perform the duty they themselves would have been only too glad to perform. Mr. Bird referred to his long association with Mr. Porteous, and spoke of his enthusiasm ' for his work. At all times he was a doughty champion of tho Maori, and the Native School, and did not spare himself in improving the efficiency of the schools and maintaining the dignity of the Native school teaching service. Ho said the service would miss Mr. Porteous. The handsome cheque he handed to Mr. Porteous carried with it more than money could Vuy—the esteem and regret and affeclion of the Native school teachers.

In reply, Mr. Portcous thanked those present for the honour they had conferred on him. He expressed regret at being unable to meet the Native school teachers and thanking them personally for their expression of goodwill. He said his association with the schools had been a source- of pleasure to him, and he had many pleasant and happy recollections. He had been particularly impressed by the loyalty of the Native school teachers to the Department, their devotion and zeal in the discharge of their duty, and their high conception of the duties and possibilities of the service. The Native school teachers had always proved to be the friends and counsellors of the Maoris, and in times of sickness and serious epidemic had done noble work. He Arelcomed the opportunity of paying tribute to their efforts. He trusted that the teachers would continue to carry on the good work with even greater success, and he hoped that they would have confidence and faith in the successful evolution of the Maori. In conclusion, Mr. Porteous thanked Mr. Strong and Mr. Bird for; acting as spokesmen of the Native school teachers.