PRESENTATION TO MR POPE

Evening Star, Issue 4162, 29 June 1876, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MR POPE

Mr J. H. Pone, who has been associated with the Girls' High School as English and Soientific Master, since its establishment, and is now about to leave for Ballarat, where he has accepted the post of Principal of the Ballarat College, was this afternoon presented by his late pupils with au illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns. Miss HiSLor read the address :-~-

Girls' High School, Dnncdiu, Julj 19, IS7i?.

Deae Mb Pope,—lt was with great, thai we heard of yowr intunfcion to leave us. Tho news of your appointment to tho Priueipalahip of the Ballarat College came upon us quite unexpectedly. We always seem to think of your name as being identical with that of the Girls* High School. Wo hope that yon may be as success!ul in your now nphere of labor as you have beeu in this. You nlno carry with you our heartfelt wishes for your future welfare and prosperity. In the name of the pupils and expupils of the school we beg to present you with an album and a purse of forty-five sovereigns; with which we ask you to purchase any scientific instrument you like, and accept it as a grift from your old pupils. Signed on behalf of the pupils. s IS.ABEU.A J. Hisi.op, Anhk M. Burn (Duces).

Miss Bum, in the name of her fellowpupils, presented Mrs Pope with a handsome butter-dish.

Mrs Burn said it was her very plcasiju? duty to ask Mr Pope, in the name of herseif and fellow teachers, to accept of a clock from them as a parting gift. They were ail sorry to part from him, and for herself she felt like leaving a valued teacher and friend. She was sure the girls of the High School would regaid his loss with regret. He took with him their cordial wishes for his future success and prosperity.—(Applause).

The following address from the teachers was also read :

Dear Mr Popo,—We, your fellow-tcachors, who have been associated with you iu the work of the Girls' High Sbhool, some of. us frem its connneucenient, cannot allow you to go from among us without some token of our regard and esteem. We ask you to accept of a nurbleclock, with our good wishes for your success and prosperity in the more extended sphere of labor to which you are going.— M. G. Burn, Principal: Bessie M. Huie, A. E. Huie, M. E. Smith, Mary M'Gregor, Amelia A. White, M. A. Wilmot, Henrietta Bell, G. Jtf. Thomson, John Gow. Girls' High School, 28th June, 1876. Mr Pope, in reply, stated that though he had frequently had to make speeches he might say in all candor that he never before rose to make one under such unfavorable circumstances. He assured them he felt extremely affected by the kindness they had shown him to-day, and by the appreciation they evidently had of his services. While willing to take credit for the classes which he had instructed he must say that the efficient state of the school was due to the organization of Mrs Bum. Mr Pope also stated that he had worked most harmoniously with the other teachers, and concluded by returning thanks on behalf of Mrs Pope for the handsome gift which she had. received.

Mr Hislop said he need not prolong the proceedings by doing more than simply reechoing the expressions of regret at Mr Pope's unexpected departure from amongst them and of the kind wishes entertained for his future welfare and success in the new sphere of labor which he was about to enter upon. As secretary to the Education Board, the father of pupils of this school, and as a member of the community, he very much regretted Mrs Pope's departure from amongst them. At the same time they all knew the old saying : "The king is dead; God save the king." Well, this was a painful duty they had to perform, and it was evident they would look out for a successor. He hoped the Education Board would succeed in securing the services of some gentleman who would, at all events, approximate to Mr Pope in efficiency, fidelity, and success. Three hearty cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Pope, and three more for Mrs Barn and her assistants. The scholars were then dismissed till June 10. Mr Pope leaves by the Arawata on Monday.