TE ARAI PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 701, 22 December 1902, Page 3

TE ARAI PUBLIC SCHOOL.

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL TO MR A. CRAWFORD. The farewell social tendered to Mr A. Crawford, headmaster of Te Arai Public School, by the residents of Te Arai, on Friday evening last, was a tangible proof of the respect and esteem in which that gentleman is held by the people of that district. Six years ago Mr Crawford, then second assistant master of the Oamaiu Grammar School, applied for the head mastership of the To Arai Public School, and was successful in obtaining the posi* tion, though many well-known and com petenfc teachers from different parts of the colony were applicants for the vacancy. Mr Crawford came to the district a stranger, hut with excellent credentials to recommend him. 110 entered upon his duties in an unostentatious manner, but the pupils and parents were not long in discovering that they were the fortunate possessors of a headmaster who thoroughly understood his work. Many teachers thcro bo who, while holding high certificates and with tho right to attix degrees of scholarship after their signatures, are not always successful in imparting tho knowledge they themselves possess to the pupils they teach ; but the highly successful annual reports which were supplied by tho Board’s Inspector each year during Mr Crawford’s term of office was convinc-

ing proof that he was a brilliant exception to this rule. No public man’s character is bettor known than that of the schoolmaster. For five days of tho week, year in and year out, scores of littlo eyes aro watching his every movement; scores of littlo ears are drinking in his every utterance ; and, let him dissemble over so much, ho cannot hide his truo character from those infantile detectives, who freely canvass his doings and sayings in the homo cirelo. Tho little ones were not long in arriving at an estimate of the character of tho new headmaster of Te Arai school, A strict disciplinarian, he yet won their ontiro confidence spontaneously; and not only tho love and confidence of his pupils, but the respect and esteem of tho parents and friends, and, in fact, the goodwill of everyone with whom ho came in contact did the Te Arai dominie very speedily inspire. Lino Oliver Goldsmith’s village preacher, “A man ho was to all the country dear and when it became known that their popular headmaster had been appointed to tho first assistant mastership of tho Gisborno Public School, everyone in the district from tho highest to the lowliest, from the oldest to the youngest, determined that Mr Crawford should not be allowed to leave their midst without some tangible recognition of tho invaluable sorvices he had rendered the school and district during his six years’ sojourn among them. The School Committee, on moving in the matter, received hearty and willing co-operation from the residents of the district. A committee was set up, consisting of the members of Te Arai School Committee and Messrs D. Howell, PI. King, H. Craill, B. Aislabie, J. Daulton, and L. Foam, to arrange for a suitable send-off, and how well they did their work those who were privileged to attend tho social on Friday evening last can testify, Those who have Been To Arai woolshod in full swing in the height of the shearing season would not have recognised it as the Bame building could they have seen it on Friday evening. Mr J. Clark, the proprietor, had kindly placed.the building at tho disposal of the promoters of tho social for the occasion. A decoration committee, consisting of Messrs W. Baird, T. Halbert, and H. Craill, assisted by a band of willing workers, had, by an artistic arrangement of nikau palms, cabbago-treo heads, punga forns, and karaka branches, converted the interior of tho building into a glimpse of fairyland

Shortly after S o’clock, guests com- , mencc-d to arrive from all parts ol the dis- j trie:, and during the evening it is estimated that fully yr.il people were present, j Dancing was indulged in to excellent , music supplied bv Mrs Fernandez (piano), j while Messrs T. Coppin. D. Howell, and B. Aislabie made capable M.C. s. At II.UU, a short toast-list was gone through. Mr \Y. jlaird, chairman 01 the le Aral School Committee, presided, and the toast nl “ The King ” was loyally drunk by the

company. .. Mr Jiaird then presented the 10l lowing

address to Mr Crawford : • “Tc Arai, December 19, 1902. lo Mr A. Crawford, Tc Arai. —Dear Sir. In acceptin'7 your resignation as headmaster of the Te Arai Public School the Committee, on behalf of the parents, c-x-pupils and residents of the To Arai district desire to express their sincere and esteemed personal friendship of such an able and ctlicicnt teacher as you have proved your-

self to he during your term ol ottice. We t'ccl wo cannot allow you to leavens without ottering some testimony of our appreciation of your worth, and therefore u:-k your acceptance of the accompnnying souvenir as a small token of the respect and esteem in which you are held by us all. Wishing you every success in the honorable position to which you have been appoint'd, wo uro, dear sir, yours faithfully, W. Baird (chanman), T. Dauiton (treasurer), B. Roberts, T. Piestun, B. Halbert-, H. Kicoi, M. Finucaue.” Tiie address, handsomely engrossed by Mr E. 11. O’Meara, had been suitably framed, and accompanying it was & very valuable gold Rotherham watch, with Mr Crawford's monogram, and inscribed . 11 Presented to Mr A. Crawford by the residents of To Arai, December 19, 1902. , On receiving the presentations, Mr Crawford wan heartily cheered, and tho com-

pany sang, “Tor He's a douy uroou Bellow.” , , Mr T. Dalrymplo anu a small party ot capable vocalists sang the well-known plantation melody, “ I)e Die Banjo,” in which I bo parts were splendidly sustained. Tlio soloist was in capital voice, and the item, which was quite a treat, was warmly applauded. Mr Crawford, on rising to return thanks, was greeted w ith loud and prolonged applause. Ho said that he felt in a very awkward position, and ho trusted thoy would not think it was due to want of appreciation of the feeling which had prompted that night’s ceremony on his behalf, but vsVttin,' f hvmK'li a want of confidence on

his part, if ho were not able to express all he would like to. Ho must thank vciy heartily the residents of Te Arai tor their too handsome farewell gift to himself, and he could assure them that it would recall pleasurable recollections in after years. (Applause.) lie would like to tako this opportunity also of thanking the School Committee during h ; s six years’ term of otticc at To Arai for their many kindnesses to him and their assistance in everything that tended to the welfare of the school. They had always acted in harmony, and had always been together in everything. Throughout everything there had been unity of action, and when that resulted it was of tho greatest benefit to the school, lie deeply felt the honor cf the company's presence that evening, and apart from other tilings it would ho lasting in his memory. In conclusion Mr Crawford again thanked the residents of Te Arai for their handsome gift, and on resuming his seat was given throe cheers. Mr Ngatai, who is possessed of ft most musical voice and of elocutionary abilities above me average, recited a poem written by Mr Apirana Ngata, M.A., entitled “A Scene from tho I’ast,” an impressive Maori sketch, in which lie was assisted by Messrs Delamore, Moana, C. Ferris, AVaitai and Potaka, who performed the accompanying hakas. -a r -r-r t 1 , r HV I. - 1 11 .1. aha n f

Mr Hookey proposed “The Teachers of the District,” coupled with the names of Messrs Woodward (Pntutahi), Cole I.Makauri), and Faram (Maraefcaha), Mr Hookey said the people bad as line a body of teachers in this district as anywhere, and the results showed how well their work was performed, Mr Delamcre recited “ Hail, Maoriland,” lines composed by Dr Poinare when he sighted New Zealand’s shores on coming back irom America. Mr Woodward, in replying for the teachers, claimed that though not immaculate, the members of the profession did their duty. Messrs'Coie and Faram also responded, Mr W. Gibson recited, “ Pardon, the sou of lieprievc.” Mr Crawford proposed “ Tho To Arai School Committee,” and said the Committee had worked hard for the welfare of the school. Such a small district as Te Arai should feel honored at having such men to represent them. Tho toast was coupled with the name of Mr Baird, chairman. On behalf of the Committee, Mr Baird 1 briefly returned thanks. Mr Daulron rc-gretted Mr Crawford’s dejjarturc, but To Alai’s loss would be Gisborne’s gain. He felt they were only lending him for a few years, as at the rato To Arai was progressing they would need four or five teachers in a few years. 1 Mr C. ITcllier Evans, in proposing “ The Visitors,” said ho was pleased lo be < entrusted with the toast, because it showed that it was not forgotten that he was at I one time a resident of the district, and betook a great interest in Te Arai and the school. The committee were pleased with the generous attendance that evening.

Dr Fisher, with whose name the toast was associated, said to have to speak on such an occasion seemed a coincidence, as he and Mr Crawford were boys together. Mr Crawford was a “swagger’ old boy in he speaker’s time, was a great cricketer, went to the ’Varsity, and Dr Fisher and tiie younger boys uad great admiration for him, On behalf of the visitors lie expressed their pleasure at the reception given. An adjournment was then made to the supper-room, and on entering this one was at once struck with the way in which the ladies of the district must have entered into the preparations for the evening. To cater for 250 people is no small order; and yet the ladies oi Te Arai had done this, and had done it on a lavish scale, which left nothing to be desired. The room was prettily decorated, and the tables were heavily laden with a profusion of attractive edibles, which would have delighted the heart of the greatest epicure living, and would have tempted the most dyspeptic oi mortals. The Commutes must have worked hard and well, and the ladies who performed these v. on-dc-rs were: Mesdamcs H. King, II- Cram. T. Preston, R. Williamson, T, Halbert, L. Ream, and Misresßaigcnt, Morris. A ilson. and V. U’Ren. Miss Baigeuc. headmistress of the school, acted as secretary to tho committee, and proved a splendid organiser. After supper, dancing was continued till daylight. Mrs Paly. Mr Sidebottom, and others played extras. Mr Crawford left for the South by the Moura last evening, and will take up his duties at the Gisborne School after ‘lre midsummer vucatiou,