VALEDICTORY AT OHUTU.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3509, 23 June 1920, Page 6

VALEDICTORY AT OHUTU.

(From Our Own Correspondent). v ->t\i s■/» The local school has been the scene of many a~""~pieasant social "evening, and. the social tendered to Mr, ami Mrs Goldsbury last another very successful function' to Ohutu 's credit. There was a large gathering of friends and children, and if it were not for the large amount of sickness that is prevalent the attendance would have been greater. A surprise was in store for those /who attended, a?, for the first time in its existence; the school was lit by electricity. The Taihape Mo'tbrs, Ltd., very kindly and generously' 'installed one of their Lalley light plants for 'the, evening, and the splendid' light' was the source of manv appreciative rc- , '. - '.'■<-•■ fl Mr Belk, chairman J di o,J &e'"school Committee, presided, him Mr G. J. Allen, late r! cnairman'' ; of the Committee. A first-class concert programme was presented, a high standard being leached. The Ohutu Orchestra, composed of Miss Mead (piano), Mr Griffiths (violin, and .leader of the orchestra), Messrs James Thomasen, Bert - Fenuing, Phillip Ash ton (violins), Stevens (comet), 8 (trombone), opened the, 'jprognnpme with a well-played that had to be repeated. The orchestra are ( .to be "congratulated on their playing and It is to be hoped that have the pleasure of hearing them. The infant children of the. Vang, followed by Mr Jack 'al- | ways a warm favourite wjtji ,sfetu audiences, who sang "My and in response .to an emphatic gave '«Mother ' Machree.'' '|/ Griffiths played a violin? Mr Allen's items. Mrs Clintcai ' J; a"n,d Mr J. Thomasen both fol 1 o.yycd^^}^ lx songs that found favour with ttie .audience. and variety was introduced:Jy Mr Phillips with n couple of.. wolVclelivered recitations and the senior children had to respond to an encore for their item. Mr J. Thomasen then gave s violin solo that had to be repeated, and Miss. S. Egan broght the first part of the programme to a close by reciting "Barbara Fretchic." Instead of an interval" there followed the real business of the evening. Mr Bell;, in a few suitable words, said that regret was felt.when it became known that Mr' and Mrs Goldsbury were leaving Ohutu, and the people -could not -let them depart without •showing their appreciation, and giving them some token of their respect and ©sf.eem. During his 'three years lis chairman of the School Committee he (Mr Belk) had had very little to do owing to Mr Goldsbury's valuable asBi'tanec. Mr Belk then introduced Mr <J. J. Allen, who for six years had been chairman of the Committee. (Applause) . Mr Allen first thanked the Committee for the honor of being present and tis chairman for the first six years of Mr Goldsbury s teaehership, he could vouch for the work Mr Goldsbury had done. His success as a teacher, shown by the proficiency (pasfc successes of his scholars, and thpJ'jHigb School and College life of old-pupils showed that much of their sma-£s/r\Fp due to their old teacher. Mr 'Allen then went on to deal with the.T.vaflious phases of public lifo that Mr Goidsbury had helped, referring to the great work the guest had done in church matters, how he had helped to get the Box Co. Siding made a public siding, and his assistance in getting a better mail service. Mr Allen said he could go on mentioning other work done by Mr Goldsbury: the Domain Board and the public library—in fact, every movement that 'had as its object the advancement of Ohutu found no more enthusiastic and hard worker tham'Mr Goldsbury, and the people felt it' a duty to !>>t Mr and Mrs Goldsbury know that their work was appreciated, and on behalf of their friends he wish-

e<] tliem every success and happiness. Mr Allen then handed to -Mrs Goldsbury a morocco ease.of silver cutlery, as a mark of appreciation. The'bftsc had a silver shield inscribed: "To: Mrs j Gold.sbv.ry, from Ohutu friends,- lS'/G/ 20," and in handing Mr Goldsbury. a -gold watch inscribed "Presented-,', to Mr Goldsbury, Esq., by friends and scholars of Ohutu school. IS/6/O/i..Mr Allen s aid that it. was a tokcu of their esteem, and he" hoped the watch would be as reliable as Mr Goldsbury himself. As Mr *md Mrs Goldsbury rose to receive the'gifts they were greeted with prolonged applause and cheering, together with the strains of "For They nre .Tolly Good Fellows," which -was renewed when Mr Goldsbury rose to return thanks. Mr QoMsbury thanked them heartily for their handsome and valuable presents, but said they were not needed *o remind them of Ohutu,. for they would always look back with pleasure on. their sojourn among them, and it wis not "goodbye" but. "Au Kevoir." im they were not going far away. Mr Goldsbury then recounted how he came to Ohutu ten years ago, and the first

persons ho had met were Mr and Airs Allen. He paid a tribute to Messrs Allen and Belk's work as chairmen, and congratulated the people upon having such capable and enthusiastic chairmen as these two gentlemen had proved to be. He thanked the committee for the help they had always given him. Speaking to the boys and girls Mr Goldsbury left with them this excellent farewell message:—-"Take every opportunity of admiring beautiful things of which the world is so full. Be courteous to all, old and young, rich and poor, reverence what is noble and try to imitate it. Be ready by self-sacrifice to help either your friends or your country. Strive after purity and truth, make good use of your time and opportunities—they come only once, and do whatever lies in your power to make yourselves upright and useful members of the community in which you live." (Applause). Mr Goldsbury said it was a. pleasure to be associated jwith, the other residents of Ohutu who had assisted also in public life, and he would always prize his association with Ohutu-ites. He left the school with real regret, but there was always a danger of a teacher getting into a groove and as that was not desirable, he took the advantage of the opportunity to move. Both Mrs Goldsbury and himself had enjoyed their ten years in Ohutu and .they regretted leaving the little village. He paid a tribute to Mrs Bartosh, the caretaker of the school, and quoted Dr Gunn as saying that it was the cleanest

school in the district, and he publicly thanked Mrs Bartosh. Mr Goldsbury concluded by thanking them all for the kind remarks and presents and reciprocated their good wishes. (Loud applause). Mrs Johns opened the sec- , ond part, of the programme with a tastefully sung song, followed by Mr J. Allen, who sang "The Sunshine of Your Smile/"' and as an encore "I'll Sing Thee Songs of Araby." Mr Cummings made a hit with his comic songs and he had to respond to a triple encore. The orchestra brought the musie-al part to a close with a selection that was loudly applauded, The accompaniments were in the capable handg of Miss Meads, Mrs Allen, and Mr Griffiths. Mr Belk apologised for the absence of Mr and Mrs W. Prime, who arc away, and he also thanked Miss Pile who had carried on the school on her own, pending the appointment of Miss Meads, whom he also thanked. Mr Belk also thanked the Taihapc Motors, Ltd., for their kindness in installing the light. A dainty, yet ample, supper—one of those suppers that, only Ohutu ladies can provide —brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.