VALEDICTORY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3655, 17 December 1920, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATIONS TO MR AND MRS J. F. THURSTON. c There was a good attendance at the Town Hall last night, when thei citizens of the town assembled to biff farewell to Mr J. F. Thurston, who has had charge of the Taifrape School for twenty years and has been promoted to the charge of the Feilding School. The function took the farm of a conversazione, whjch commenced with an overture by Mr GV Brice's orchestra. A song by Mrs R. J. McDermolt was much?-appreciated, and was encofEoT Mr F. McSweeney was in good form, and gave an ""excellent elocutionary item, after which' Mr R. J. Loughnart contributed a song. . ...

His Worship the Mayor,. Mr A. J. Joblin, said they had assembled ffiat evening, to bid farewell to an honoured citizen, and one whom they, could ill afford to lose. The fact was that the Taihape School had 'been reduced a grade, as the establishment of the denominational schools, had' taken away a large number of scholars, but Mr Thurston was not going down a grade, "as his appointment to Feilding meant """promotion .As a member of the Wanganui Education Board, he could testify to the esteem. in which Mr Thurston was held by the Board members and by the in- ' spectors. They knew that Mr. Thurston was a man whc always gave of bis He had 'o'frly one more grade fr> go'iip before he attained highest position which the Board could .confer on any schoolmaster, and he felt that it would not be long before Mr Thurston reached the top. Their guest had been teaching for thirty years, and hud been in Taihape for twenty years. They all knew the rogard and esteem, amounting almost to veneration, in which the pupils and ex-pupils held their master, and they knaw the respect in which he was held by the parents. His abilities and character were such that he • was one of the greatest assets the town had ever had. He wished also to mention the services . of Mrs Thurston, who had always been willing to help in any£n"ing "in "whicn her services were needed, and they would all be sorry to lose her. As a sportsman Mr Thurston excelled, and was in the forefront as a good sport ancT a good citizen, as he possessed quali(Ses which had endeared him to all. Dn behalf of the citizens, parents, jand ex-pupils of the school, he preSented Mr and Mrs Thurston with two hainlsome pieces of silver "plate, and with a cheque, Mr Thurston receiving the tokens of esteem to the accompaniment of "For Brtl' '"Strily.. Good Fellow'* and enthusiastic cheering. Mr. ,A. James, Chairman of the School Committee, said the Mayor ■ had voiced such eulogism of their guest" that anything he said may fceem like a reiteration of Mr Joblin ; s remarks, but he was glad of the • opportunity which had been g|ven to him of expressing the appreciation of the parents for what Mr Thurston had done for their children. It was unfortunate that the* only occasion on which they could tell a man what their appreciation was was when they were sayinsr goodbye to him. TheiT guest was leaving behind friends among the parents, friends among the and friends among tho children. Ho (the speaker) knew that the Taihape School "

was held in high esteem, among the secondary schools of the Dominion. The principal of "IKe. Wangamri Col- , legiate School one© told him that it was alwWs a pleasure to him to get a boy from Taihape into his school, and. added that they must have an excellent headmaster at Taihape, as the boys from his school g were so well behaved. They could inot begrudge Mr Thurston his promotion, but they did begrudge the people of Feilding the pleasure they would have in having Mr Thurston with them.-" . ■ " ■ I Mr iH. D. Bennett "saio" he would j like to say a few words on behalf of j the public generally. It was many j years since, he met their guest, and ; in addition to Mr Thurston's outstanding characteristics in his professional capacity, there was his be- * havious on the field of sport. He recalled the old days of sport in Tai- •■ hape, and could look back with plea- . sure' to his knowledge of Mr Thurs- • ton in those days. They were all sorry to lose Mr and Mrs Thurston, but the future lies in such a way that if .he took advantage of his opportunity he must reach the top of the tree. He was sure that Mr Thurc--the tree. He was sure" that Mr Thurs- . his old friends and pupils. [) On rising to respond, Mt Thurston * was enthusiastically received. He wished to thank them most sincerely for their tokens of esteem, and for' the honour they had done Mrs Thurston and himself. He End- be come very fond of Taihape, and he very much regretted having to leave. He came here when the school building consisted of two small rooms, and they had no playground. " (He had experienced the generosity of the people of Taihape with regard to the school and the good work which had •been done by all who had acted . on the School Committees, and he wished to take advantage of this oppor : tunity to thank them foT the interest they x had all taken in the school and in matters relating 'to_ the welfare of his pupils. He had ever tried to be fair and just to everybody, and ,it as only right that he should state that* in all matters relating to the school he had always had the loyal support of the teaching staff. On be- | half of Mrs Thurston and himself he again thankecf them for the' Honour they had done them that. evening. Mr Thurston resumed his seat to the accompaniment; of loud cheering and the singing of "For" He's a Jolly Good Fellow." - A song by Mr A. James, and an encored Tendering of Mother Macree" by Miss Nottingham, and'the singing of the National \ Anthem, brought the proceedings to a close. ' ♦- DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. PRESENTATION TO MR J. F. THURSTON. 'An interesting function took place af the school yesterday .when the teachers and scholars as- . sembled in the playground for the purpose of saying good-bye to the headmaster, Mr Thurston. Mr Wilson, on behalf .of all, spoKa. of the regret with which they were parting with one who had been so long connected with the and jfwho was known to so many in Tai- % hape and elsewhere as the friend and Header of the children who had been under his care. At the same time Mr Thurston was to be congratulated in that his appointment to Feilding was for him a promotion—a recognition by the Education Board of his. services and ability. Mr Wilson re-'^-red also to the help which Mrs Thurston hag always rendered in any work for the welfare of the school and in conclusion asked Mr Thurston's acceptance of a silver .cake-dish as a small token of the respect and good wishes of the staff with whom his relations had always been most cordial. In a suitable little speech Miss Kathleen AMlam, one of the senior pupils, spoke of the children's affec tion for Mr Thurston and their regret at his leaving, at the same time hoping that in his new sphere he might enjoy better health, and have many years of. happy service. There was then presented to Mr and Mrs Thurston -fTom the children a handsome set of cutlery. \ Several of the smaller children then came forward with suitable Ht- ./„ tie gifts for their old schoolmates, the children of Mr and Mrs Thurston. In reply > Mr Thurston spoke feel jngiy ; saying how much he had eni joyed his work and life in Taihape, where he had striven not merely to aid the children to pass examinations etc. but to help them to become good and citizens. He was deeply moved by the kind things that had been said and thanked both teachers and children for their gifts. Once more everyone broke into cheering and the teachers and senior scholars adjourned to the "Tech." where refreshments were served by the girls.

Damp feet usually result in a cold. Get NAZOL. No cold Is Nazol-proof. €0 doses U 6. C&emists and stores. 3

ROSE AND SWEET PEA SHOW* A GREAT SUCCESS. The Taihape Rose, Sweet Pea and Industrial Exhibition held on Wednes day proved a great success, the rose exhibits being exceptionally fine. In opening the same, the Mayor (A. Joblin, Esq.) stated that the Show was held by the Methodist Church Trustees for the purpose of raising funds to enlarge their School Hall. After com plimenting them on the forward movement, "and the sple"hdid exhibition of (lowers the Mayor declared the bazaar open. The following gave all round satisfaction as judges: Roses, Sweet Peas.and Pot Plants, Mr A. J. Shailer, of Palmerston. Domestic* Classes': Mr W. Pitt. . Children's Writing ana" . Drawing: Mr Wilson. Industrial Classes: Miss Jory and Mrs Nivett. Vegetables: Mr Swindells. * Photography: Mr L. Banks. In a number of classes competition was keen. Following is a list of awards: 12 Roses Distinct Varieties: Mris de Loree. 1, Miss* M. Gilbert 2. 12 Roses 8 Varieties: Miss L. Reichardt 2. 6 Roses distinct varieties: Mr Cun ninghame 1, Miss Addis 2. 3 Roses, distinct varieties: Mr Cunninghame 1, Miss Addis 2and 3. 3 Roses Pink or Red, distinct var ieties: Mrs Fannin 1, Mr Cunninghame 2. 3 Roses* White or Cream, distinct varieties: Mrs de Loree 1. 3 Roses, Yellow distinct varieties: Mrs de Loree 1. 1 Rose, Red or Pink: Mr Cunninghame 1, Mrs Fannin 2, Mrs de Loree 3* 1 Rose White: Mrs Fannin, 1, Mrs de Loree 2. 1 Rose, Cream: Mr Cunninghame I and 2. 1 Rose, Yellow: Mrs de Loree 1, Mrs Fannin .2. Rose Collection: Mi's de Loree 1. • ' „ SWEET PEAS. Collection 6 Varieties, four sprays of each: Mrs Fannin 1, Mrs McCom bie (Raukura) 2. Sweet Peas, Pink or Rose shades: Mrs McCombie 1, Mrs Broome 2. Sweet Peas Scarlet or Crimson: Mrs Fannin 1. 6 Pansies, distinct .varieties: Miss L. Reichardt 1 and 2. • 3 Pan'sies, distinct varieties: Miss L. Reichardt 1 and 2. . Best Decorated Table: Miss B. Smith, Papaki Road 1. Best Bowl Roses: Miss N. Williams 1. . Best Bowl Sweet Peas" arranged in own foliage: Miss N. Williams 1. Best- Asparagus Fern: Mrs Aplin 1. Best Decorated Basket Flowers (under 14): Grace Harwood 1. Best Three Buttonholes (undeT 14): Grace Harwood 1, Marjorie Leighton 2. Best Vase Flowers for effect (under 14), Bessie Darvill 1, Marjorie Leighton 2. Best Buttonhole (11 and under): Bessie Williams 1 Willie Pitt 2. j Best Vase of Flowers (11 . and under): Nellie McCombie I, Bessie Darvill 2. Best Sponge Sandwich (under 14): Douglas Galloway 1. Best Plate Pikelets (under 14): Grace Harwood 1.

• Best 3 Sewn Buttorrhoies: !*su£las Galloway.

Best Plain Han'dsewing (under 14): Rita Casey 1, Betty Turnbull 2. Best Dressed Doll: Rita Casey 1. Best Flower drawn in pencil (under 14): Kenneth Anderson, Ohutu .1, Phillip Alshton, Ohutu 2- Charlie Bailey, 3, Harold Fair, Utiku, 3; Archie Bailey, Ohutu, v.h.c. Best writing, under 14: Phillip Ashton, Ohutu, 1; Dick Blair, Taihape, 2; Doris Potaka, Utiku, 3. Best writing,,, ll and under: Rita Casey, Taihape, 1; Etta Spooner, Taihape, 2; Edward Sheath, Taihape, 3. Best home-niade bread: Mrs' F. A. Ellis. Best 6 hen eggs: Mr W. Prime, Ohutu. Best 6 scones: Mrs Hall 1, Miss N. Williams 2, Mrs Stephens 3. Best 6 pikelets: Miss Gordon 1, Miss Gordon 2. Best 6 sausage rolls: Mrs Hall Best 6 cream puffs: Mrs Campbell, Ohutu, 1; Mrs vv. Prime, Ohutu. 2; Best 6 jam tarts: Mrs Hall Best plate shortbread: Miss C. Galloway Best fruit cake: Mrs A. Trompson 1 and 2 Best sponge cake (iced)': Mrs A. Thompson 1 and special. Sponge sanuwich: Miss "Williams Plate sweets, three varieties: Mrs Hall Home-made jam, 2 varieties: Miss N. Hill Home-made marmalade : Miss Groves. Broad beans, 12 pods: Mrs Fannin. Afternoon tray cloth: Miss Lea 1, Miss Groves 2. Exhibit of fancy work in linen: Mrs Casey 1, Mrs Peter Douglas 2.

Exhibit of cotton crochet: Mrs Perkins 1 and 2. Pair of men's sox, knitted: Miss. Groves 1. Pair babies' bootees: Miss Smith Photography, portrait: Mr- W. J. Simpson 1, Miss Meads (Ohutu) 2. Photography, -landscape: Mr W. J. Simpson 1, Miss Smith 2. It will thus be seen that the special prize of £2 for highest number of points gained in Show has been won by Mrs de Loree with 11 points. Mr*; Fannin and Mr Cunninghame won 10 points each. The judge was exceedingly well pleased with the quality of the exhibits. ' j ■■■ In- connection with the show a sale of work and produce was held. The following were stall-holders: Plain and Fancy Work: Mesdames Tumbull, Aplin and Cunningsame. Fern and Plant stall: Mesdames Sinclair and Matthews. Produce: Mesdames MilleT' and Marsh. Sweets: Mrs Casey and Miss Kilkolly. Ice Cream stall: Mesdames Webb and Harris. Cake Stall: Mesdames Carter and Greenwood. Strawberries and Cream: Mesdames Parton> and Smart, Misses Sinim, Thompson and Hartley. Surprise Packets: Miss Davies and Mrs E. E. Smith. Tea Rooms: Mesdames Joll, Simpson, A. Hall, Sharp, Archer, Wilson, and Lovell.

Great assistance was rendered by Mr Walter McElwain. During the evening a fine musical programme was given by children under the able leadership of Mrs Parton. The members of Brice's Orchestra also rendered good music at intervals. The same was greatly appreciated. The proceeds amounted to about £125.