Manutahi School Affairs.

Patea Mail, 26 June 1882, Page 3

Manutahi School Affairs.

After some unhappy differences, the community around Mauutahi have a prospect of being again harmonious respecting the school and its management. A new Committee has been elected ; Miss Hay, the late teacher, has resigned; and though it is doubted whether the new teacher ought to be a master or mistress, the choice as to sex is referred to the Education Board. There remains, we believe, nothing else to divide local opinion as to school affairs. A presentation to the retiring teacher was made on Friday afternoon. A handsome clock, value seven guineas, had been subscribed for by settlers and parents, and purchased through Mr W. Balmforth at Mr Currie’s, Patca. A numerous gathering of parents, friends, and children filled the school on Friday afternoon; and Mr R. B. Hamilton made the presentation to Miss Hay, as Chairman of the School Committee. He said:

Ladies, gentlemen, and children, — You are aware that Miss Hay has resigned her position as teacher of this school, and we have met together this afternoon for a formal leave-taking. It is admitted that the children attending this school have all made considerable progress under Miss Hay’s tuition, and this has enabled the Board’s inspector to report favorably year after year upon the progress made at the Manutahi school. This desirable result has been brought about by the tact and discrimination of the teacher on the one hand and the aptitude of the children on the other. Last year there were only three schools under the supervision of the Wanganui Board that attained the maximum number of marks, and the Manutahi school had the honor of being mentioned in the annual report as one of these. Children, I would like to impress upon your memories that if you desire to keep up the position the Manutahi school has attained, you will-be both obedient and attentive to your teacher, whoever that may be, as well as to your books. Now Miss Hay, I have an agreeable doty to perform, and that is to present you with this handsome clock. The children were desirous of making you a present before you took your leave of them, as a small token of the esteem in which you are held by them; and this clock Is the result of their united efforts. I hope it may prove as good as it looks, and that it may keep good time until time makes these children men and women ; and that it may serve to keep you in remembrance of “ auld lang syne/' and I hope some happy ddys spent at Manutahi. Miss Hay, in a few well chosen words, replied ; and from the manner in which the children cheered, it was evident that

the utmost good .feeling prevailed between teacher and children.

Mr Peacock made a.few appropriate remarks, and gave the youngsters some good advice; Mr W. Balmforth also spoke, and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. After three more ringing cheers for Miss Hay, the Chairman declared the breaking up of the school for the winter holidays.