SENIOR SCHOOL INSPECTOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1920, Page 7

SENIOR SCHOOL INSPECTOR.

MR. A. J. MORTON RETIRES. FAREWELLED BY TEACHERS. A very pleasant gathering took place at the Kawaroa Park bungalow yesterday afternoon, when the teachers of the Taranaki district met to say goodbye and make a presentation to Mr. A. J. Morton, who has retired from the position of senior inspector under the Education Department in this district. Mr. VV. A. Curteis, president of the Taranaki branch of the N.Z.E.1., presided, and there were also present Messrs H. Trimble and S. G. Smith', M.P-, members of the Board of Education, the secretary of the board (Mr. P. S. Whitcombe), and a large number of teachers, the room being crowded.

A telegram was received from Mr. R. Masters, M P., chairman of the Board of Education, from Christchurch, in which lie said he regretted his inability to be present at the farewell to Mr. Morton. He also regretted Mr. Morton's retirement, as the board would lose a strong adviser, the teachers a sympathetic helper, and the department a capable and efficient officer. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Morton long life to enjoy the rest so weil earned.

Afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies' committee of the Kawaroa Park, after which, on behalf of the teachers, Mr. Curteis presented to Mr. and Mrs. Morton a silver entree dish and coffee pot. In doing- so he referred to the high esteem in which Mr. Morton was held by the whole of the teachers of the district, for his keen interest in them and his ready assistance to them in their many difficulties. They all regretted his TelireStient, but hoped he would live long to enjoy the rest he had so well earned.

Other speakers were Miss Laird (president of the Women Teachers' Association), Mr. H. Trimble, for the Education Board, Mr. Ballantyne, for the inspectors, and Mr. 0. J. Howartli, for the organising and sole charge teachers.

Mr. Morton, in acknowledging the presentation and the expressions of goodwill towards liimself, said he was glad to know that his relations with the other inspectors and with the teachers had always been of the most harmonious character. Rftr work in some districts had been somewhat of a pioneering character, but he did not think he could look upon his work in Taranaki as of that character. He referred to Rome of the drawbacks in a district such as this, but wa? pleased to know that during the last few trying years the standard of efficiency had not only been maintain cil, but progress had been made, and he appreciated the' work done by- the head teachers and assistants. He spoke of _the good work accomplished through the winter classes, and congratulated Mr. Moore and his staff on the help they were aft (Ming the young teachers. He alßo specially mentioned the progress made in the district in regard to physical instruction, and the help that was being afforded to 8010 teachers through the work of the organising teachers. In regard to the children he said he had been pleased to find they were not as backward an he had been led to believe they would be from rumors circulated as to child slavery in Taranaki. There were no children more responsive and ready to show interest in their work than those of Taranaki —(applause)—and he would not mind if the teachers told' the children Jie had said so. In conclusion he again thanked the teachers for their gift and for their good wishes.

ROLL OF HONOR. Opportunity wag taken of the occasion to unveil a roll of honor to the Taranaki teachers who had served abroad in the recent war. Mr. R, L. Mcllroy, in asking Mr. Smith to unveil the board and to accept it for hanging in the Education Board's office, said that 900 of the 1400 male teachers in New Zealand had volunteered for service. In regard to Taranaki 30 teachers had actually left the district, though the board contained the names only of tliose who had actually seen service abroad. There were 17 names inscribed, and five of the number had made the supreme sacrifice, and of the remainder only three had returned to the service of the board.

The roll was a beautiful piece of work, done in oak, and in addition to the names, contained also the photographs of the teachers who had fallen in the flght. Mr. Smith, in accepting the roll of honor, assured the teachers of the board's pride in the record of their war service, and said that the roll would be given pride of place in the board-room. He hoped the time was not far distant when the teachers would have a room of their own in town for meeting purposes, and with a well-equipped library attached, and the honors board would then be transferred to that room. He congratulated the Taranaki teachers on their effort and on the positions they attained when they joined the forcesIn proportion to their numbers tliey had done as well as any other district. In unveiling the board he said it would serve to remind the Education Board of the services of the teachers in the war, and he hoped they would never forget the great sacrifices made by both men and women in that connection.

All those present 3tood in silence as a mark of respect to the fallen as the board was unveiled.

TKe proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the ladies' committee for dispensing afternoon tea, and the sieging of the National Anthem. Mr. Morton shook hands with all the teachers as they left the building, as this was the laßt occasion on which he would be able to meet them.