Testimonial to Mr J. H. Bull

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 542, 11 October 1902, Page 2

Testimonial to Mr J. H. Bull

A lurgely-attended meeting of householders anil old scholars of tuo Gisborno District School was held last ovening, for the purpose of arranging for a testimonial to Mr J. Bull, prior to Ins departure for Waipawa, to which school he has boon appointed. Mr A. T. Hookey was votod to tho chair, and in opening the proceedings said that the meeting hud boon called to consider die quostiun of a testimonial to Mr Bull. At tuo monthly mooting tbo Committoo uud received Mr Bull’s resignation, and the Chairman then remarked thut though on the one hand he felt ho must congratulate Mr Bull on his appointment, yet at tho sumo time ho felt they could ill afford to loso his sorvicos. It was thon thought that somo public recognition of his past service should bo uiado, and it was then deemed advisable to call a public mooting of householders, together with old scholurs, to form a joint committee in older to get somo expression of opinion as to the lorin the testimonial should tube. ThejCbiurimrn, being unable to uttend, had asked him to act as convenor. Continuing, Mr Hookey said : —“ Mr J. H. Bull lias boeu connected with this school, 22 years, a vory lair slice out of a man’s lifo, and when you consider tho hard work, tho petty worries, and tho untiring energy put into nearly a quarter of a century, it needs no apology to ask the public of Gisborno to give him a tangible proof of their rospect and appreciation. Tho avoraga attendance ol scholars in tho year 1880 was 2Z9, while to-day tho uttondunce i 5757. During his term tho infant school has been built and thou onlarged, also three largo class-rooms liavo been added, and tbo adjacent Sunday-school is now in uso tor Standard I. The number of Board scholarships gained by scholars passing through Ins hands is 98, and their value is over TiflOO (these ure in addition to thoso given by the Governors of tbo High School.) While teaching tho oth Standurd tho scholarships guinea wero 50 per cout. of thoso open for tue wholo of tho Huwko’s Bay district. Under Mr Bull the gold medal of tho H.B. Caledonian Soeioty came to this school eight times out of nine m which it was offered in this district, and at tho ninth it wub a tie, but was lost by being awarded to the youngest pupil. During bis tenure over TSUO was obtained by school concern) under his direction, and tbo money spent in prizes, piano, scientilio and other apparatus for use in the school, purchase of land ior playground, and for school library. Thero have been mauy distinguished scholars passed through hia hands, though the honors of tho fitnsniiig touches must rest with Mr Mann, our esteemed head of tho secondary clubbos. Among these scholars I would montion Hedly Thompson, u gold medallist, who pusseU tlie junior scholarship, the Solomon scholarship at Homo of £SO against all competitors, and came out 50 marks ahead, and now holds a lesponsiblo position in Patbon’s Turbine Works at Newcastle. I think ladies and gcntlumen I need not add much more ; wo read a great deal nowadays of Empire builders—such men os our friend Harry Bull—who strive to mould the characters of our boys and girls, and instil into them tho principle of honor and truth, ought surely to bo couutod among their ranks. He worked bard and faithtully, and manfully • uphold tho principles of truth, justice, and integrity, and I trust tho people of Gisborne will rise to tho occasion, and givo him such a hearty send off that he may go away with some idea of tho estimation in which he is held.’’

Mr C. A. DeLautour wrote regretting his inability to attend the meeting. He pointed out that Mr Bull’s services to tho school had always been rendered so as to bring out all that was best iu tho scholars under him. Among the long list of thoso who passed through the sixth standard wore many not now in Gisborne who had done well in other countries. Not tho least factor in their minds had been the mainly tone and thoroughly sound English education they received in the sixth standard of the Gisborne school. Mr DeLautour added : “ It should not bo forgotten thai Mrs Bull was ono of tbo most valued mistress of the infant school for several years.” Apologies for non-attendanco were also received from Messrs A. F. Matthews, T, Adair, W. Miller, DeCosta, B. Hird. General discussion followed, and Messrs Symes, Morgau, Sweet, W. Fettic, R, Robb, Cogar, Mann, Cuthbert, and File expressed regret at the departure of Mr Bull, and urged that some recognition should be made of his services to the school.

A Committee was set up comprising tho School Committee, with the additional names of Messrs E. Matthews,. Manr,, W. Pettie, J, Townley, Symeß, and Cuthbert. Mr A. T. Hopkey was appointed Secretary of the Committee.