YOUNG CITIZENS' LEAGUE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4792, 22 December 1924, Page 2

YOUNG CITIZENS' LEAGUE

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES CEREMONY AT PAEROA SCHOOL. A very pleasing and Atting ceremony to conclude the year’s work at the Paeroa District High School on Friday morning, when the members of the local advisory council of the Young Citizens’ League and a number of parents assembled for the purpose of presenting the league’s certificates of membership to those children entitled to them. The pupils- were forjiiup in hollow square on the eastern side of the school The members of the advisory council and parents were cordially welcomed by the headmaster (Mr G. H. Taylor). ’ Mr E. E. Gillman, chairman of the School Committee, briefly explained the object of assembling the children and thanked the visitors for attending He then called on the local president of the league, Mr W. Marshall) to address the pupils and to present the certificates. In addressing the scholars Mr Marshal! said that it gave him genuine pleasure to have the opportunity of presenting the certificates on the school’s “red-letter day," the day when the school routine for the year terminated and the scholars were faced with the happly prospect of six weeks’ holidays. If each pupil had done his or her best at school during the year, then they were entitled to a happy holiday, and he trusted that thev would enter as whole-heartedly and with as much enthusiasm into clean ami active sport as’ they had in their school work. They should remember that sport and healthful pleasure was just as necessary to the development of character as was learning and passing examinations. The president said he hoped the certificates would be preserved, and that they would serve to remind the members of the solemn promise they had made during their initiation into the league.- It was so easy to make a promise, but it was often a very different matter to fulfil it. The members had promised to “do their - best day by day," and so long as they kept that thought steadily before them and conscientiously tried, one of the finest objects of the league would be accomplished. To those who were leaving the school that day to commence work the president particularly gave counsel to take heed of the pledge, and said that if they played a clean game throughout and strived to do an honourable best always, the future should hold no terrors for them and they would live to enjoy only that which was beautiful and good. , Commenting on the future activities of the local branch, Mr Marshall said that it had been suggested to hold a mock election after the holidays. Bush picnics and certain town beautifying work had also been sug-. gested as lines for the members to work on and to stimulate iaterest-ftb-the league. The speaker said that the local council was desirous of receiving practical suggestions from the members themselves. The members were nearing the day when they would become full-fledged . citizens, and it was one of the ideals of the league that members should be taught to become “true ,and worthy citizens,” and citizens who would not shirk the responsibilities of their older lives. The certificates were then presented to 56 girls and 52 boys by Mr Marshall, together with a copy of the Christmas number of the league’s monthly journal. PRIZES FOR GARDENING. In asking Mr Marshall to also present the prizes won in the recent home garden competition Mr G. H., Taylor said that it had been a great pleasure and something of an “eyeopener” to have accompanied Mr EZ W. McCaskill, agricultural instructor during his recent tour of the home gardens for the purpose of making awards. The general standard of the work was very creditable indeed, and showed a distinct improvement on last year’s effort. One boy’s plot in particular was well kept, and would do eiedit to a strong and enthusi-' astic professional gardener, ijn some instances it had been impossible to make any distinction, so two first prizes would be awarded. Mr Marshall then presented the winners with handsome books and heartily congratulated each recipient.

The proficiency and competency certificates gained by the pupils in standards A 7, and VI. were then handed to the pupils by Mr Marshall, and J in doing so he. urged them to avail $ themselves, if possible, of the opportunity to pass on into the high school department for the purpose of acquiring a secondary education and for better equipping themselves for the battle of life. Each recipient was heartily applauded on receiving the certificate. The happy little ceremony concluded with an exchange of greetings tween those present and the singing of the National Anthem under the leadership of Mr J, E. Bigelow.