FRANKLEY ROAD SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1919, Page 3

FRANKLEY ROAD SCHOOL.

PRESENTATION TO MR. T. B. WINFIELD. The residents of the Frankley Road school district gathered at the gymnasium last night for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. T. B. Winfield, who, after about 20 years' service as headmaster of the school, is leaving and retiring from the profession. There was a very large gathering, the building being taxed to its utmost to hold all those who came to bear testimony to the value of Mr. Winfield's work in the district and to show their esteem for him and Mrs. Winfield. %

The early part of the evening was given over to frivolity, as dispensed by a minstrel party from town, cossisting of Messrs J. Lovell (bones), W. 'Putt (tambo), C. New (Joe), B. Bellringer (Tom), A. Vealo (Ned), and F. Asher (Massa Johnson), with Miss Hope. Asher as pianiste. The party gave an enjoyable programme of plantation melodies, interspersed with the customary witticisms, which greatly amused the audience.

At the conclusion of the entertainment the chairman of the School- Committee (Mr. A. Lister) took charge of the proceedings. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., one of the representatives of the Education Board, said, in regard to the .Frankley Road School, had had a very good tone, and had turned out good scholars. The school had been well favored in the choice of schoolmasters. Many of the past pupils were now occupying good positions, and a good deal of their success was due to Mr. Winfield and the lead he had given them. They appreciated the service he hail rendered. They regrV.tted that the time had arrived for him to retire, This was particularly the cose as the time, had now come when people were beginning to realise the value of the teacher. The general demand to-day was for a better class of school building and equipment, but not at the expense of the teacher. Mr. Smith expressed the hope that Mr. and Mrs. Winfield would live long in their retirement, and enjoy the rest that was so well deserved.

Mr. H. Trimble, also a member of the Education Board, said he had known Mr. Winfield for many years. 'He looked back with much pleasure to the many hours he had spent in Mr. Winflold's house-when at Norfolk Road. No one of the character of Mr. Winfield could spend a long term in a district without leaving an impression for good on the life of the community. Mr- Ballantyne, as representing the inspectors, said it was evident from the large gathering that Mr. and Mrs. Winfield were very highly esteemed in the district. The service of any teacher who served a district, for a long tfiime, as Mr. Winfield had done, should bo fittingly recognised. The fact that he had been so particularly free from criticism sliow'ed that the parents were well satisfied with his control of the school. There was no person who had such an influence in a district as the schoolteacher, and he was sure the pupils of Frankley Road would always look back with pleasure and thankfulness to the time spent I under Mr. Winfield.

Messrs Davies and Ambury, representing the oldest settlers of tlie district, paid warm tributes to Mr. Winficld's work and to the splendid character of the children that had been trained in the school by him. Mr. T.-ister, as chairman of the committee, expressed appreciation of Mr. Winfield's services.

Mrs. Ardern, one of the oldest settlers of the district, then presented a purße of sovereigns to Mr. Winfield on behalf of the settlers, parents, past and present scholars, with the hope that the well-1 earned retirement would he fully enjoyed. (Applause.) Mr. Winfield was heartily applauded on rising to respond. He thanked those who had spoken for the kind things said about him, which he felt were not deserved, and also those who had made such a valuable present, to him. His great aim had been to get the children to "play the game" and run straight in life, so ! that they would turn out good citizens. He was pleased to see so many old pupils present, especially men who had been to the war. They were an honor to the district and the c«mtry. There were some, however, for whose return friends would look in vain, but they were present in spirit. AH, without j exception, had been men of the finest I character. They had given thftir all, and ! it remained for those left to sliow themselves worthy of the sacrifice. The great lesson of their Sacrifice was that the way of reconstruction lay along the path of self-sacrifice. Mr. Winfield thanked the staff that had so loyally supported him, sometimes under trying circumstances, and the committees under which he had served. He owed them his deepest gratitude for the help they had given him. He wished the school committee success, and felt confident that, under the successor appointed, who was a most painstaking teacher, that would be certain. (Loud applause.) The aodience then rose and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and gave cheers for Mr.' and Mrs. Winfield.

Supper was served in the school building, and a short dance took place in the hall afterwards.