SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3635, 7 May 1927, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION.

The staff of the Foxton District High School and committee spent a most enjoyable evening in the school on Thursday evening, when occasion was tuken to farewell Miss Dent and present her with a token of esteem from the staff. Competitions, games and dancing were indulged in interspersed with musical and vocal items. At a suitable juncture the headmaster (Mr F. A. Mason) expressed regret at,the departure of Miss Deut, who had been associated with Miss Williams (infant mistress) in the infant department for over three years. Not only had she discharged her duty conscientiously, but she had won the confidence and affection of the infants who would keenly regret her departure. Miss Dent had also given' valuable assistance in connection with the annual school concerts and in this connection she would leave a gap which would be difficult to fill. Mr Mason also referred to Miss Dent’s activities in connection with the Girl Guides movement of which she was one of the founders and leaders. Her musical talents and organising abilities had been a great asset to the.sehool and to the town. On behalf of the staff he wished her happiness and prosperity in her new sphere of labour at Wharenui . (Applause). Miss Williams (infant mistress) endorsed the head master’s remarks and eulogised Miss Dent’s co-opera-tion in the infant department. Messrs Hornblow (chairman) and M. E. Pcrrcau (Mayor) also paid tributes to the departing teacher and wished her success in the future.

Miss Dent was then presented with a handsome bedroom clock.

In responding to the remarks of the speakers and acknowledging the token of esteem, Miss Dent said that she regretted her departure from Foxton and the severance of her association from the school and Girl Guides. The work had been a pleasure to her. She expressed the opinion that greater interest.should be evinced in the musical side of the ehilren’s school life. 'She hoped the guide movement would prosper and in Miss Ritchie she was leaving an enthusiastic and capable successor. She concluded by thanking all for their good wishes and the very pleasant social evening.

' Cheers and musical honours wre then given for Miss Dent.. An appetising supper, was then partaken of and at the conclusion all joined in singing “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem.

A pleasing ceremony took place in the infant department of the local District High School yesterday afternoon, when the little ones were assembled to bid farewell to Miss Dent.

Miss Williams (infant mistress), arranged an appropriate programme. The whole of the teaching staff and members of the committee were also in attendance. After the children had sung some of their action songs, Miss Williams explained the object of the function and called upon little Enid Coley to present Miss Dent with a token of esteem, which the little lady accomplished in a natural and charming manner. Enid expressed regret at the recipient’s departure and in handing her an electric torch said “this will show you the way to j>'o home.” Miss Williams on behalf of the infants conveyed, in language understandable to the little ones, their good wishes for her future. Mr. Hornblow, on behalf of the committee, then presented a fountain pen to Miss Dent, as a token of esteem from the Committee. Miss Dent in a neat little speech ! ; thankf|teHie infants and told them that a informed her. that someone else was coming to take her place who would love them just as much as she did and that they were to. do Jots of sums, writings and drawings for her. To the committee she expressed her thanks and regretted that she had not been afforded an opportunity to assist in swimming and life-saving work, and hoped that the swimming baths would seen be established in order that the children could be taught to swim.

Cheers were given for Miss Dent and the little ceremony terminated with the singing of the closing hymn j

by the infants.