A VETERAN MEMBER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 285, 24 April 1913, Page 7

A VETERAN MEMBER.

THE EDUCATION 7 HOARD ENTERTAINED. Mr. G. A. Adlam. of Oakura. has just completed twenty years' continuous service as a member of I lie Taranaki Education Board, dining the w.liole of which time he has been a most conscientious member, having only missed about four meetings dming the whole time, two through illness and two through heing on the Supreme Court iurv. lie attended particularly to the wants of the conntry schools along the coast from New Plymouth to beyond Opunake; indeed, he used to make it a general practice to visit every school in that district at least'once or twice a year, no mean performance in past years, when the roads not as good as they are now, and motor ears were unknown. It speaks volues for his enthusiasm in the cause of education that he was able to devote so much time, particularly as lie was engaged in farming, which' in itself required close attention and did not allow of much leisure.

Yesterday, in order to celebrate the event. Mr. Adlam entertained his colleagues oil the Board to dinner at the Technical School. In all some twentyone sat down down to dinner prior to ; commencing the Board meeting, comprising members and officials of the Board. Messrs I'. Skoglund (chairman o/ the Stratford High School Committee), F. P. Corkill (chairman of the Technical College Advisory Committee) and representatives of the press. A tasty threecourse luncheon was then done justice to, the catering being done by the girls of the Technical College, under the supervision of the cookery instructress (Mis* Mac Donald) and her assistant (.Miss E. Tiplady). Everything was nicely cooked, and the luncheon fully exemplified the practical benefits to lie derived' from the cookery instruction of the College. Before rising from the table, Mr. 11. Trimble, chairman of the Board, thanked Mr. Adlam for his kindness in entertaining them to luncheon. Mr. Adlam was the oldest member of the Boardboth in years and length of service—having been a member for over 21) years Mr. Adlam had not only taken an active part on this hoard, lint also on other boards. Moreover, he was a link with the past, as he had assisted to defend the country against the Maoris, and helped to make it so that we could live in it by preventing it from relapsing to barbarism, as it would have done had the natives succeeded in driving out the Europeans. Mr. Adlam's regiment, the 43rd, had gone through all the Peninsula war, and had been likened to the tenth legion that had fought under Caesar. Mr. Adlam, in replying, said that during his twentv-six years' term oil the Board lie had always done his best, and had made manv friends. He had sat under six different chairmen. The present ci.airman was one of the best, and always allowed them plenty of latitude to express their opinions. Sometime* these differed, but they all bowed to the wish of the majoritv, and it was a pleasure to sit on the Board. Referring t« the luncheon, lie remarked that it showed that the Technical College was doilg good work. Mr. Adlam's present term on the Board will expire in June, when it is understood that he will again .seek rc-election.