Presentation to Mr W. H. Skinner.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7835, 30 May 1905, Page 2

Presentation to Mr W. H. Skinner.

At the invitation of the teachers and scholars of St. Mary's Sunaaj School) there was a large'gathering on Monday evening at St. Mary's Hall (or th<s purpose ol giving a public testimony of the appreciation of Mr W. H. Skinner's long and welous .services in connection with the Sunday School work of the parish.

The Rev. F. O. Evans, in his opening remarks, explained that the object of the gathering was to show Mr Skinner how highly his Sunday School work, extending over a period of more than sixteen years, was appreciated, and to give him an officjal furcwell on his resigning his position 08 superintendent of tho school. The vicar said he looked upon Mr Skinner's work as a monument of devotion to a good cause, and it was with the greatest regret to all connected with the church that Mr Skinner was giving up the work; He concluded by exhorting those prcsont to make the evening a memorable one from a social point of view. An excellent programme of vocal and Instrumental music was carried out during the evening, consisting of —Pianoforte solo, Mrs Baker; song. Rev. A. M. Ucaidbury ; song, Miss Crawford j iluet, H. Salt and Clinton Jonos i song, Miss Chong (encored) ; song. Miss Baker j comic song, Mr fencwrod}. Mr Shaw sdh) tile gathering .that night wae of a 'most nrflqae nature. Inasmuch as it largely consisted of past and prosent Sunday School teachers, together wHh many .old scholars, who had mot together to da honour to Mr Skinner for his long and 'faithful services. He much regretted that advancing years had prevented the attendance of Mrs Leatham, senr., the oldest teacher in the parlsfi, and one of the first to undertake this work under tho Rev. Holland, lie was glad to welcome the teachers from the schools attached to other churches, and particularly Mr Okey, who had « record of 48 years' service in Sunday School work, and was still to ba found regularly at hi* post ever; ptmday. It was gratifying also to - 0 Mother of 'he School" IJSt* Phillips) present, also Mr «oidipg. another veteran toucher. Tho fucti of Ihcru being such a tive gathering should afford lir Skinner much pleasure, as it indicated the ureal appreciation i n which hie service? were held by those whoso esteem was well worth having. Itoferrinp to Mr Skinner's work, Mr Shaw said that It was to Mr and Mrs Skinnor's exertions that the room in which the meeting was held was built and lined, and that tho Sunday School had progressed so much, for ut the tiiuo when Mr Skinner undertook tho management of tho school there were no funds, and only a few scholars—a vast contrast to tho state of things to-day. la presenting Mr Skinner with a handsome (diver kettle on,behalf of the teachers and scholars, Mr Shaw said he greatly prized the privilege of being allowed: to make the presentation, as he had been a co-worker with tho recipient for many years. They all felt tho greatest regret at Mr Skinner giving up tho work. Mr Show then, amid great applause, handed to Mr Skinner the kettle, on which was inscribed : " Presented (o W. 11. Skinner by the Teachers und Scholof St. Mnr.v'.s School, as a token 6t appreciation of his 16 years' service as Superintendent of the School."

Mr Skinner, in returning thanks on behulf of Mrs Bktaner and himsolf. said tho presentation had taken him soniowhut by surprise. lie greatly appreciated the kindness Hhown to htm, and regarded the large attendance that evening as the outcome of the excellent esprit' de corps which was such i'ii jnarkod (eature in connection . \tith St. Mary's Sunday School. It was Indeed a great pleasure to him to meet so many old friends and fellow workers, and ha was particularly gratified at tho presence of touchers from other schools, showing lh?V the broad linos on which St. Mary's Hrhuol was founded had, not narrowed during tho years'tMt had pasted. They were all engaged in tho panic work, and tho more they worked in harmony the better >j» would be for the

«u<o *in which" tefercnce had bam Okcy's long career in Sunday *aSo^^ worji, covering a period of 74 year*, ."(> of tvhkli had-tyeon spent as * teacher, the last' 48 year.s being in Ken- Plymouth. When compared with such a record as that, Mr HkifeMr looked ti|xin hii> own quota a» insignillcunt. Looking back on this work in the district, he was thankful that his health and strength kid been spared to enable hiiu to be of assistance. He had endeavoured to, 'carry out (ho trust reposed in him by 111. lute Archdeacon (iowtt when placing him in charge of the school, and li would always pria* the handsome tfift he had just received. Mr N. K, MacDiarmid, on behalf of tiiose teachers of other nchoola who v. ere present, said he Kiiiied in the nltjireciation of Mr Sk toner'* services, and hoped that Mr Kktaaer would live for many years Mid see his labour* bear good fruit. The Hev, F. O. Evans hoped that the eMvmple set by Mr HUimer would act as an incentive to oM»r« to take up the work. Such a •ptandid tfu t liermg so they had that «rvening wi hj, he considered, a mean* of enabling thu younger generation to realise the earnest labours of *|Kh /ealou ir.cn as Mr Skinner. Hefreslnncnts wane then haadad round, and the proceed I ng» *m brought to a clow wHh the National Anthem. . , . ■ ■ , Subsequently Mr HWwier »ar» an historical review of the Bt»day. School work in tho district. The success of this memorable 00-, casion was due to the «nlt«d effort* of Mrs ltockriU and Mrs SU|»ley Shaw, who were tho prime movers in the affair, and they dwerve to ba warmly complimented on the lent way in whioh the proceeding# were carried out. 1