PRESENTATIONS TO MR E. U. JUST, TEACHER, STAFFORD.

Kumara Times, Issue 1563, 30 September 1881, Page 2

PRESENTATIONS TO MR E. U. JUST, TEACHER, STAFFORD.

[contributed.]

On Tuesday last, a very large congregation met at St. John's Chinch, Stafford, to say farewell to Mr E. U. Just, their late organist and choirmaster. Service began at 7.3.0 p.m., during which the ch-.ir sang, in a manner which spoke volumes both' for Mr Just's ability and perseverance as a teacher of singing, the two anthems " I was glad when they said unto me" and "Thine, O Lord,' is the greatness." A sermon was preached by the Rev. M A. Scott, from Hebrews xi.,4 " He being dead yet speaketh." In the course of his remarks, Mr Scott drew attention to one point that all must have observed during Mr Just's resideuce among them, namely, the thoroughness and energy with which he always carried out any responsibility which he might undertake. Whether in his

school oi' iu the church, or in the concert room, Mr JuaVs work was invariably well and comp'etcly done. After service, Mr EI. W. Sandle rose to present Mr Just with an illuminated testimonial which had been prepared, with much taste and skill, by Mr H. J. Wylde, of Greymouth. The testimonial was as follows : To Mr E. U. Just. Dear Sir—We, the undersigned church* wardens and vestrymen of St. John's Church, Stafford, Westland, cannot allow you to ieave the district without expressing our great regret at losing so estimable and valuable a member of our congregation (valuable especially in those duties so kindly and ably rendered as choir-master and organist), so useful and upright a citizen, and so deservedly popular a teacher as you have proved yourself during the two years you have lived and laboured amongst us.

It is our heartfelt wish that you may be as useful and as well appreciated in the scene of your new duties as you have been in this community. Eest assured that you will take with you, whithersoever you may go, the best and warmest feelings of the Stafford people in general, and of this congregation in particular, for your future welfare and prosperity. Churchwardens : H. W. Sandle, James B. Glover. Vestrymen : Thomas Sell, Henry M'Alpine, Joseph Naylor, John Tonkin, Joe Bramhall, Henry Eastman, Thomas Low, Charles Cribbins, Joseph Glasson, . Robert Lochore. Mr Sandle, in a few well-pointed remarks, begged Mr Just to receive the testimonial as a sincere token of the esteem and regard in which he was held by the community, and of the real regret with which they paited with him. He could assure Mr Just that they would long remember the many evenings passed together in the cburcli and elsewhere, and for his part he'could only hope that at some future date they might again be associated together. After Mr Just had replied in feeling terms, the congregation, joined in the " Te Deum Laudamus," to the music of Dr. William Jackson, and then separated.

On Wednesday-affernoon, a presentation was made -to Mr E. IT. Just' head-teacher.-to-the State School, Stafford, hy his scholars, prior to his leavj.iug the -C>ast for a more lucrative appointment in Christchtirch. There were a goodly nuraher of \i.sitors present, parents of ichil.ireny and members of the Local School Committee; ■'

Mr H. W. Sakble, Hod. Sec. of the Local School Committee, on behalf of the- scholars, said—Mr Just: Your pupils have conferred two honors upon me which I shall not readily forget; the first is to purchase something on their behalf which may prove useful to you, and which you may also keep as a token of their Jove towards you ; the second honor I have alluded to is that of presetting you, on their behalf, with this elegant writing desk. It is not its intrinsic value they wish you to look at, but rather the warmth of their young hearts towards yon, their beloved teacher. They have trusted in you, knowing full well they could place implicit confidence in your and that there was not any danger of their being treated unfairly, or that one might receive more favor at your hands than another. Your success in imparting knowledge to them has been sound and genuine ; and now you are leaving thern they feel they are losing a good teacher and a firm friend. I cannot say much more to you on this occasion, but I tender you this Bouvenir, with their earnest prayers for your future success; and they desire me to hope that the two years yon have so efficiciently filled the position of headmaster to this school may have livelv and pleasant remembrances in your memory. We wish yourself, Mrs Just, and family, every blessing and prosperity, and trust from time to time to hear of your advancement in yawpi of&ssion.

Mr Just, in reply, spoke of.the-plea-sure it had given him to officiate over the school, and of the .earnestness'of application generally exemplified by his scholars. He advised them to apply themselves assiduously to their studies, as the preset]t was the only time they would'have to fit them for the great battle of life. He particularly instilled on their minds the necessity of regular attendance, as the success <.f a school did not, as many believed, depend entirely upon the teachers, but upon, the scholars themselves, and also in a very great degree upon the parents, who were in many instances callous to the welfare of their children's advancement in learning. He thanked them sincerely for their very handsome present, and would keep it as palpable testimony of the goodwill and friendship shewn him by the inhabitants of Stafford.

The desk is of dark bird-eye maple, beautifully inlaid with ebony, ivoryj mother of pearl, and silver.