TURAKINA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9065, 4 February 1908, Page 2

TURAKINA.

FAREWELL TO MR F’ D. OPIE. (From Our Osvu Correspondent.) The Public Hall was well filled on Friday,evening, when a social was tendered to Mr and Mrs F. D. Opie, on the occasion of their leaving the district. Mr Opie has taken up his new duties as director of the Technichal School at Palmerston North. The chair was taken by Mr B. P. Lethbridge, and there was an interesting programme of speeches and vocal and instrumental music. Mr J. H. Day, chairman of the School Committee, spoke for the committee on the amicable relations that had always existed between Mr Opie and »the committee and : the scholars. During Mr Opie’s siK years as headmaster there had never been a complaint from a parent, and never a jarring note in the working of the school. From the day Mr Opie took charge the tone andjfeport . of the school had steadily gone up, till the last inspector’s report stated that the inspector had no suggestions to make in the management of the school. In their games and in their tasks Mr Opie had never failed t 3 give his very best work for the children Mr James Bruce, of ‘ ‘ Glencairn, also testified to Mr Opie’s many excellent qualities, and in a few wellchoaen words presented Mr and Mrs Opie with a handsome silver tea and coffee'service, bearing the following inscription:—“Presented to Mr and Mrs P. D. Opie by the residents of Tnrakina on the occasion of their leaving the district. January, 1908.” In his reply, Mr Opie expressed his regret at parting with the staunch friends he had made in Turakina. - In all his duties he had endeavoured to set before his pupils a high standard, and he realised how far short he had come of his ideal. Mr Opie’s words were touching as he appealed for the last time to his old pupils to do the right, and to deal squarely and to protect the weaker. The hearty applause showed that his . words had gone home. A young Maori, William Emia, Who passed through the school under Mr Opie, and is now apprenticed to Mr James, architect, Wanganui, in a neat speech told of Mr Opie’s good Influence over himself, and his successful efforts in getting Willie into his present responsible position. On behalf of the Maoris of the } Turakina pah, Mr W. Reremoana read an address to Mr Opie, in which they thanked him for his patient instruction of the native children at the school, and assured him of a high place in tueir affec _ tions. The address was concluded in the Maoris’ usual pithy style, and yet was no more than was warranted ,by Mr Opie’s unique services in Tnrakina. The Rev. R. McOully also spoke. He said Mr Opie was one of his wars most personal friends, and’in parting with him he was losing, perhaps, more than any other individual in the place. It was a great privilege to have a teacher who could not only carry the children through the standards with such conspicuous success, but also instil into them those lofty ideals aud principles which were the foundation of his own life. Mr McOully (considered that Mr Opie had rendered to the district services of so high a character that no money could pay for them. During the evening the following took part in the musical programme, to the delight of the gathering Misses Grant, pianoforte duet; Mr John Grant, song; Mr Hamilton, song; Messrs McEwen and Scott enlivened proceedings with bagpipes music, and Mr McEwen also sang. Mrs Gibson and Miss Maggie Hughes sang a couple of duets, which were much appreciated. Mrs Franklin and Mrs McOully acted efficiently as accompanists. The gathering dispersed after they had sung“ “Anld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem.