SCHOOL PRESENTATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 58, 30 June 1914, Page 6

SCHOOL PRESENTATION.

TO MR F. J. MORGAN. The senior pupils of the Stratford school were assembled at noon to-day, the occasion being a presentation to Mi- F. J. Morgan, who is relinquishing his position at the school to take a position at the Training College, Wellington. Mr P. Skoglund, chairman of the school committee, said presentations were becoming rather too frequent for the good of the school—they were saying good-bye too often. It spoke well for a schoolmaster, when he had so' gained the esteem of his pupils that they combined to make a presentation to him. Mr Morgan had been a first-class teacher—the'results obtained vouched for that —and Hie (they speaker) doubted if the school had ever done better than during the time Mr Morgan had been on the staff. Mr Morgan’s science teaching had been a feature of his work at the Stratford School, and he had no doubt that he would succeed in the position. he was taking at the Training: College. He felt sure that all present would join in the hope that the present shift was only the first step, and that Mr Morgan would continue to rapidly advance in his profession. On behalf of the children he had to present Mr Morgan with a leather suitcase. (Applause.) Mr R. Masters, a member of the Taranaki Education Board, said the relations existing between Mr Morgan and the 1 rest of the staff had been all that could be desired, and the other teachers very much regretted his departure. While they regretted that he was leaving Stratford, they congraulated him on securing the position to which he had been appointed, and he (Mr Masters) felt that, with the abilities he possessed, it would not be long before they heard of Mr Morgan being advanced still further in his profession. The Education Board greatly regretted Mr Morgan’s departure. When he had first heard that Mr Morgan was going, he asked Mr Tyrer aboiit it, and Mr Tyrer had said that Mr Morgan’s departure was a calamity to the school. Such a remark by Mr Tyrer was a great tribute to Mr Morgan’s ability. Personally he whs sorry Mr Morgan was leaving Stratford, but lie felt sure that his future career would be still more successful. On behalf of the teachers of the school lie then presented Mr .Morgan with a case of pipes. (Applause.)

' Mr Tyrer, headmaster, said the pre. vious speakers had expressed exactly his own opinion of Mr Morgan’s abilities. Mr Morgan had proved himself a true and loyal man, and in his departure he (Mr Tyrer) was losing not only one of his ablest teachers but also a good friend. He joined with the other speakers in wishing Mr Morgan success in his future career, and if he succeeded as he (tho speaker) thought he deserved his career would be a brilliant one. (Applause.), Mr Aforgau, on stepping forward t> respond, was greeted with loud applause. He said he wished he coijld find some soft board that he could sipk through—he did not deserve half !ol the laudatory rpmarks made about him. He was'sorry to leave his pupils,, but he did not -think he would forget them in a hurry. (Laughter). Several boys and several girls it woijkl be rather difficult to forget. (Laughter). One boy had amused him by wearing a hat which might have belonged to a Spanish Anarchist. (Laughter). There was another boy whose form would live in bis imagination foi many days. (Laughter). He did not. think the boys and girls knew how much they owed to Mr Tyrer; but;it was very easy to please him—all thjey had to do was to put their hacks’ into their work and give the school a good record. He expected to hear a gobd , report of the school work, and Especially of the three senior boys—be wanted to bear that Campbell, Dobson and .Mail were winners of University scholarships. Mi - Morgan concluded by thanking the children and the teachers for their gifts and for the kindly feelings prompting the gifts. At Mr Tyrer’s call three very hearty cheers were given for Mr Morgan. ■ Mr Tyrer announced that the High School would close at 2 p.m., a statement which called forth further applause.