PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 30 August 1907, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Air K. Lee was re-elected chairman of . clliugton Education Board yeslei-

Mr Geo. Colsou has entered the'employ of Messrs Wilson' and Nolan as stock and land salesman. Air Colson, with his intimate knowledge of the district, should be the right man in the right place,

At the Central School yesterday afternoon Hiss Laurie Mills was presented with a pretty gold charm, in recognition of her prowess as the champion in the recent school tennis tournament.

At the Lands and Survey Office yesterday Mr H. M. Skeet, who has been promoted from tile rank of District Surveyor in Tarauaki to that of Chief 1 Draughtsman in the Westland district, was presented by his fellow officers and those of the Department of Roads with a handsome gold Kotheram watch. The presentation was made by Mr Simps on, Chief Surveyor, who referred in eulogistic terms to the esteem in which Air Skcet was held by the officers and the public, with whom he had been associated in his profession since 1878. Mr W. H. Skinny, Chief Draughtsman, and Mr G. T. Murray, District Road Engineer, also spoke, referring to Mr Sheet's work in this district, the speeches concluding with cheers and musical honors. Mr Skeet suitably responded, and briefly referred to tile interest he had always taken in the progress of settlement, which appeared to have made wonderful strides during his service in this district, and although he regretted leaving Taranaki, he would still preserve some of the interest for the place where he had spent so many years of service.

Mr Cockcroft, second assistant tea- : chcr at the Central School, was enter-: tamed at tea yesterday afternoon by the girls of hi 3 form, prior to his departure to take up a more remunerative position in the Hawke's Bay district. The teaching staff and the chairman of the committee, Mr F. p. Corkill, were also present. After justice had been done to the excellent repast, Mr Dempsey feelingly referred to Mr Cockoroft's regretted departure. He had been very popular, not because he was nice and easy-going, but bcause he was nice in his manner of treating the children and because he brought his pupils on well Mr Hcmpsey referred in highly enlogis tic terms to Mr Cockroft's success as a teacher and as a disciplinarian, pafei and painstaking in all his work, am. as a cadet officer and organiser of the recent school concert. On behalf o lie teachers he presented Mr Cockcroft with a fine set of carvers in a case, and humorously referred to the not remote prospective event which would make the present a useful one. Master Leo Richards, on behalf of the boys of the class, presented their teacher with a polished puriri walking-stick made from the timber of the old Waiwakaibo bridge. Mr Corkill, speaking for the coimmtteo.oxpresscd regret at'Mr Cockcroft's departure, for they had learned to appreciate hm as a teacher and a man. Mr Mcllrnv, for the staff, also regretted Mr Cock-croft's leaving. The guest briefly thanked the teachers and scholars, and said the seven months spent here had been .the plonsantest part of his teaching life, and he could honestly say he had had his pleasantest and most willing class. With an energetic committee and a thorough headmaster, he had felt impelled to do bis very best. Cheers were given for Mr Cockcroft and for "Mrs Cockcroft when die. comes." the bugler of the school cadets sounding the "general salute."