GOODBYE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1930, Page 2

GOODBYE

A SCHOOL FAREWELL. GATHERING AT DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. PRESENTATIONS TO MR E. PARTRIDGE. There was a large gathering of parents and guardians, School, Committee and the lull school attendance of scholars and teachers at the Hokitika District High School yesterday afternoon when the opportunity was taken to bid good-bye to Mr E. Cartridge, Rector of the School for the past five years, who is leaving on Monday next to take up his new duties as Inspector of Schools in Wanganui district. The beautiful afternoon enabled the function to take place in the open in front of the Technical School buildings. . Mr A. C. Armstrong (Chairman or the School Committee) presided. Mr Partridge was on his right, and others present included Mr Irwin (Inspector of Schools), Mr. R. Mild (Chairman of the Canterbury Education Board), and Messrs Conning, Richards, Pedder, Sweney and Shannon (Members of the School Committee). The scholars were drawn up in front in their classes under their respective teachers, Mr J. Niven (Assistant Master) in charge of the opening proceedings called on the scholars for the opening; chorus, “The School” being well rendered, • , Mr Niven said the gathering that afternoon was for the purpose of taking a school f .rowell of Mr Partridge, the;r Rector, who was shortly leaving them. He would not make a speech, but would call on a representative of the primary school to address them. Master Allan Coles in an excellently delivered address said the school desired him on their behalf to express their deep regret at the loss they were sustaining by the approaching depniture of Mr Partridge. Although they were glad to hear of his advancement they were sorry to lose him. Dining] his term of office Mr Partridge had taken a keen interest in the welfare of the whole school. He had done. Ins utmost to develop' them both physically and mentally and had also done much to develop the grounds which had been greatly improved during bis term of office. On behalf of the piimary school he desired to wish Dll’ Partridge every success and every good fortune in his future position. Mr Niven then called forward a representative «of the secondary school. Master Maurice Connelly said he felt honored to have been selected to speak on behalf of the secondary school to express the deep regret all felt at the coming departure of Mr Partridge. Many will not know how much he had done for them, and had helped them on. He was as good as a man as he was good as a teac-hei and was a true friend. I here was a lot to be said of what he had done in their interests and they hud only to look at the improved school grounds. A big thing in school I’fe was .their sports and for the boys in their football and cricket and the girls in their .basket ball Mr Partridge had shown a wonderful interest. He would conclude by wishing Dir Partridge every success in. the..future .and hoped that they would soon have him amongst them again, Ihey had a little present that he would ask acceptance of as a small mark of theii good wishes and esteem. Miss Thiele then presented Dir Partridge with a handsome wristlet watch, which she fixed in position. A little dot Alice Wieblitz then presented Dir Partridge with a set of collar studs.

Dlr Niven stated that in addition to the scholars farewell, the School Committee desired to make a presentation, and he would leave the following proceedings in the hands of the Chairman.

Mr A. C. Armstrong (Chairman) made anology for the absence of the Mayor (Mr Perry) Mr D. J. Evans, and Messrs Chesterman and Breeze (members of Committee) and T. W. Duff (member of High School Board.) Continuing he said his first duty was to heartily congratulate Mr Partridge on his promotion as an Inspector and ~0 exoress their sincere regret at his approaching departure from Hokitika. He was pleased to see such a large assemblage present to do honor to Mr Partridge. As a member of the School Committee it had been a great pleas-

urc to be associated with Dir Partridge, who was always most cordial and attentive. The many improvemets affected to the grounds of late years were due to the incentive of Mr Partridge, who had been an inspiration to tiie Committee, and now they saw the results with the beautiful lawns, garden plots, fencing and the latest addition the sand playground for the smaller children. It was not his (the speaker) privilege to have had a long association with the school, hut lie had been associated long enough to appreciate the. good work that Dir Partridge had done for the school. The improvements were not all on the outside. Inside the whole tone of the school had been decidedly raised, and anyone pre-s-.-nt at the sports gathering on Cass Square a few days ago could not fail to notice the good spirit and discipline, and great respect of the scholars. Dir Partridge held also their affection and when a man won both respect and affection,. it was decidedly creditable. The • school honour spirit had been fostered by Dir Partridge and teachers and if the scholars carried that spirit through life they would be a credit to their parents and the school. The other members of the staff had given loyal support. Concluding, Mr Armstrong said he had a pleasant duty on behalf of the other members of the School Committee to ask Dir Partridge to accept a rug as a token of their recognition and appreciation of the valuable services he had rendered, to extend their best wishes for his future welfare and happiness, and, to voice again their keen regret at his approaching departure. Mr R. Wild (Chairman of the Canterbury Education Board) said Mr Partridge was leaving with his pupils and staff, a work that will develop right through their lives, AH can make use of the means that Mr Partridge had used for success. It. was only b,y hard work that lie had attained the success that he has secured. If they put in the hard work they would get the same satisfaction at the end of it. Dir Partridge gets his reward at the enlarged affection of his pupils. Mr Wild concluded by heartily agreeing with the warmest expressions of appreciation of Mr Partrio Dlr S. J. Irwin (Inspector of Schools) was glad of the opportunity to sayfarewell and to express his regret that Dlr Partridge was leaving the district. When a man puts his whole heart and soul into his work as Dlr Partridge had done at the school, he deserved every reward it is possible to give him. He had taken a great deal of interest in every bov and girl. Now he was leaving the school to he an Inspector, with no school. He wanted Dlr Partridge to go away feeling that the boys and girls were sorry, and, that they have a feeling of gratitude for what they owe to the present headmaster. He congratulated Dlr Partridge on hi' promotion and took this opportunity of welcoming him as a colleague. Dlr W. H. Shannon very much regretted having to say farewell to Dlr Partridge who had done so much for the scholars, both physically and mentally. He has developed the scholars under him in a very marked manner, The Committee had watched Dlr Partridge’s career very clo'ely, and had nothing but praise for his work, .Under his charge the High School had junip--ed . from 50 to over 100. Not many knew how hard ,he had worked to cause this large increase. The figures spoke for themselves. It was with deep ’ regret that they parted with a man that had guided the future destiny of their boys and girls. Dlessrs W. E. Richards, H. R. Sweney R. J.'Pedder and J. Conning, joined in the expression of the veryvaluable services rendered the school by the departing head master, and their deep personal regrets that he was severing his connection, wishing him very success in the future. Mr S. J. Preston, on behalf of the parents congratulated Mr Partridge on his promotion, but deeply regretted his departure. He had done good work that all recognised. The parents wished him long life and all success in his future career.

Mr Partridge, on rising to reply, was very heartily received. He said the scholars had him at a disadvantage then, if never before. He thanked all for the kind things said about him, and the lovely presents. He came to the school nearly five years ago a complete stranger, but thought he could claim he was going away as the friend of practically every one present. Most of the boys and girls would know that a lot of the things said about him are not true, he was not half as good as that, but he could take credit

for having tried to do his liest while in charge of the school. He wanted to share any credit with the rest of the staff. They had been very loyal indeed and had pulled their full weight, and-deserve much of the credit. He thanked the staff for that loyal support. He would also like to thank the parents for the support given. They had backed him up wonderfully and had proved very loyal. In their School Committee, Hokitika had been veryfortunate. They had taken great pride in the school and had done a great amount of work. The boys and girls, however, wore the cream of the show. He asked them to keep going. Keep your heads up and play the game and uphold the school honour. You know von can watch a thief, but you cannot watch a liar. He urged them to bold their head'up and go straight and play the game. If you have a good clean heart, and can look everyone straight in the eye, then you will have done well. He was going away to new work, hut he would come hack. He had done what he couhl individually and as a whole to help them on. He would like to ask for just as good a spin for his successor, Dlr Dlenzies, as he had received. He hoped that parents and boys and girls would give him a loyal backing up. Once again be thanked them for all they had said and clone and assured them he would not forget his stay in Hokitjka. Three hearty cheers were given for Air Partridge and the proceedings closed with the singing of the National Ailthem.

Yesterday morning the members of the staff gathered in the Technical School and over a cup of morning tea, the opportunity was taken to make a staff presentation, acceptance , being asked of an electric table lamp and shade as a mark of their appreciation and good will.

Last evening a secondary school social was tendered to Dlr Partridge at the Parish' Hall, when the School Camera Club presented Mr Partridge with a set of views of the school and school activities.