TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1919, Page 7

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

FAEEWELL TO MR. A GRAY.. „ Presentations ware the order of the. day at the Technical College on Tuesday. After the school had been dismissed .the members of the staff of the college and of the Education Board's office assembled in the cookery room, and enjoyed a dainty afternoon, tea prepared by the girls of one of the cookery classes, under the supervision of Miss Earle, the instructress.

Mr. Mor,tOn, senior inspector of schools, was then called on to make a presentation to Mr. Gray on behalf of the members of the staffs of the Technical College and the Education Board's office. Mr. Morton expressed appreciation of the honor, and said Mr. Gray had brought the looal institution from a small beginning to a point where more than one important addition had become necessary to the buildings. His energy and forcefulneSs of character had had a great deal to do'with this success. In the wider spheTe of the office of Director of Technical Instruction Mr. Gray had greatly influenced the course of education in institutions in other parts 1 of the province, notably in Hawera, where a school with a small number of students had developed into a Technical High School. It was fitting that the first principal should be Mr. Gray himself, and all would join in wishing that he and the institution would flourish and prosperGood wishes were also extended to Mrs. Gray. Mr. Morton, then asked Mr. Gray to accept a leather suit case, which was to be regarded as something, not to expedite his departure, but to serve him at any time when he paid a welcome visli to his friends in New Plymouth. Messrs Whiteombe (secretary of the bpard) and flallantyne (inspector of schools) added .tributes to Mr. Gray's character and service. The latter had had an opportunity of judging and appreciating Mr. Gray's work in the Srimary schools. In Opunake especially e was held in remembrance for the success of pupils carried beyond the ordinary course. This had lately been referred to as a precedent for the establishment of a district high school. Mr. Kirkpatrick, senior engineering instructor, said that since 1914 the school had greatly increased in numbers and equipment. Be considered one of the reasons of Mr. Gray's success was that he had indicated what he wanted done and left his instructors to do it their own 1 w»y. Mr. Gray was an able organiser, and few men could organise on such a wide scale as he had done. One of Mr. Gray's greatest achievements had been in inducing the farmers to adopt his agricultural scheme. On behalf of the staff, he hoped Mr. Gray's success would not end there, but.would be a itepping-stone to something still higher. Mr. G. H. White, speaking as a member of the commercial staff for the past two years and,as a visiting instructor during the earlier period of the Technical School, referred to his acquaintance with Mr. Gray forupwards of 20 years, since he came to take up the duties of assistant at the Central School, to thelfTassociatton in various musical activities,, and tfr.the energy.*nd push which had charaetertsed all M*. Gray's undertakings. ,He said that he had always found'lt easy to work with Mr. Gray, and that the ttbst cordial relations existed between the director and the staff. ..'■• '

Mr. Sandford> woodwork instructor, also »potos, stressing the very cordial ' relations that had existed between Mr. Gray and the staff. In replying, Mr. Gray referred ito the universally pleasant relations Which had always existed between the office and inspectorial staffs and himself. Be had aj'jreat opprtunity to thank them for. They had; taken every opportunity -of helping him" in his work, ,and had 1 made •the occnnaney of the position one of the most' pleasant'periods of his' life'""Especially he was. grateful to Mr. Whitcombe, whose many kindnesses helpfill advice he would never forget.''' Tt> the' staff of Mr. Grax gaVe the. lion'* share of the credit /or $a poj|t>6a in Which the college stotfd; ,He recognised ttiaV their official ancPloy*! co-operation had been given cheerf tatty a'jia During his : fftijuent necesiary absences there had been none pi"'the ''slacking" that was sometimes noticeable in similar circumstances. He knew that on such occasions the various ! instructors had always been ready to do a little extra in order that everything might run ' smoothly, and he t'hanked them for it. Mr. Gray congratulated them dli havfng taken up technical teaching work. Technical education was only in its infancy in New Zealand, and the next few years would see a great adVance made along certain definite lines. He wag sure they would he pleased in later years to feel that they had been j pioneer Workers in a great movement. Thfe, next five years would be a critical time. The" aims pf technical education-; ists were, to a great extent, inieuridei'-'' styo&vby the.general pubHc.: mis-, apprehension* were, however, being! gradually removed, arid- he hail; every:eoTntf!6Snce inj-St'anV tiffie,asking anyone: to eome and seVnhe I'w'drk : ''tHa% bilnl* d<teeV-- ; •fof 'good, i^eemli6ea;^infitrt««tiS!■#^waa', -going" '•&); ««ater than the supply, to'lJOhtftiife m r tm lines"'t&eyhadj ;teeH ; 'pd'Wfeg 'i' spec'ialj kmf- ef''#ei'i' v 'f6'tticuiar' branches ofi work. Se i -them with] $ rffeWtteal of. Fegtet, mi various partin**]* •& HpWMd, al#2ys watcji; fitly, interest; th# l oo f this • col-' fo? ri his f sWcessor ■,WP l<pi'sWrV : tWi 'had been' Presentations were aJM'niaae Ib'Jlrs.' «rßfati«,"«ft Jier con-■ staff, and l to MiiW the collegel'to go into ; businesß x _._.M„r, .Gray nia'de- tile presentationaJ-MHWJirkpatrick receiving and; Mm leather bag. ;',Mr. Gravi and co-operation had done',jniiob, .to plwe