A POPULAR OFFICER.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1921, Page 6

A POPULAR OFFICER.

MR. P. S. WHITCOMBE’S RETIRE MENT.

FARE WELLED BY EDUCATION BOARD.

After twenty-two years’ service on The administrative side of educational work in Taranaki, in the capacity of secretary to the Education Board, Mr. P. S. Whitcombe retires as from the end of this month, and was yesterday fare welled by a representative gathering of present and past members of the board and members of the staff. Mr. P. J. H. While presided. Mr. White read apologies from a number of in the province and in outside towns, who were unable to attend.

Mr. White remarked that they were only fare welling Mr. Whitcombe in his official capacity and were pleased that he would still be residing in New. Plymouth. They hoped he would enjoy a well-earned rest.

In stating that Mr. Whitcombe had entered on his duties in 1899, Mr. White traced the tremendous growth of the board’s operations since that period due to natural expansion and closer settlement. This had laid very much greater responsibilities on the chief executive officer of the board, but speaking from his experience of the last four years he could say that in no sense had Mr. Whitcombe ever shirked his responsibilities as secretary. Theie had been in addition to the natural increase in the board’s work a corresponding growth in the appreciation of what education meant, and all members of the staff had felt that growing responsibility. The period represented by Mr. Whitcombe’s term of office had presaged what might be termed a new renaissance in regard to education. During the past seven years Mr. Whitcombe, along with members of the board, had experienced the personal anxieties and trials 'due to the war conditions and there would no doubt have found full scope for his attributes of tact, courtesy and graciousness which were his distinct characteristics in dealing with all situations. He had been acquainted' with Mr. Whitcombe during the past twenty years, but had come to know him more intimately in more recent years, and with tae passing of this period his regard for the board’s secretary had grown and other members of the board had no doubt a similar experience. Mr. Whitcombe had been willing to spend I himself in any way that he could serve; the secretary of a board must be a man of many parts and had fb meet all sections who came with grievances, imaginary or real, or perhaps a little of each. In this Mr. Whitcombe’s happy manner had carried him through. All would wish for Mr. Whitcombe in his retirement very great-happiness and long life.

Mr. White then presented the /guest with a writing <le.sk and two pieces of silver “from past and present members of the board as a- token of their abiding esteem.”

Tributes to Mr. Whitcombe’s ability were paid by Messrs. D. McAllum, E. Trimble end R. Masters, M.P., all being former chairmen of the board. The following resolution was moved by Mr. Masters and seconded by Mr. McAllum: “That* on the occasion of the retirement from office of Mr. P. S. Whitcombe, who has held Ge position of secretary of the Taranaki Education Board from the year 1999. this gathering of members and ex-members of the board desires to record its sense of the value of the long and honorable public service i rendered by him to the board and to the children and people of the province.

•‘This gathering regrets that Mr. Whitcombe has found it no longer possible to carry on his usual duties and desires to assure him that he carries into his -retirement the esteem and respect of all its members and ex-mem-bers.”

Tn speaking to the resolution, Mr. Masters said he desired to‘ personally express his thanks for the great assistance Mr. Whitcombe had given him, both as a private member of the board and also during his four years as ehairman. The popularity their secretary had aleady been referred to by the chairman and he believed this was one of the main reasons why the board had stood so well with the teachers and public of the province. Mr. Whitcombe’s tact and judgment had been responsible for the settling of lots of difficulties which, if they had come before the board would have taken a lot of time to put right. When the enlargement of the district came about in 1916 there was some opposition to the change in the southern nart of the district ,to being brought under the jurisdiction of the board. He was pleased to say that the kindly feeling which now existed between the two ends of the province in educational matters was, in a large measure due to Mr. Whitcombe.

.Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., in paying a .tribute to Mr. Whitecombe’s ability, remarked that the Taranaki Board was nd\v getting a good deal of credit for the position it held in the educational w’ork. He thdqght as a younger member of the board, that the function presented an opportunity of reminding them that present position was due to the spade \yjork done by past boards.

Other speakers were Messrs. G. A. Adlam, W. L'. Kennedy, A. H. Halcombe, A. Lees, J. H. Quilliam (the board’s solicitor) and Mr. J. A. Valintine (senior inspector). When the above resolution had been carried, Mr. Whitcombe replied feelingly, in a few words. He said it had always been his pleasure* to represent practical men, and therefore his duties were made easier. He had only carried out the work as lie knew the board would wish and any honor was due to the members. He expressed sincere thanks for the expressions of goodwill and the presentation, made.