FAREWELL FUNCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1922, Page 6

FAREWELL FUNCTION.

HIGH SCHOOL MASTER. TRIBUTE FROM OLD BOYS. Mr. A. R. Ryder, M.A., until recently first assistant at the New Plymouth Boys’ High School, which position he resigned at the end of last year to take up duty as senior science master at the Auckland Grammar School next month, was the guest of the Old Boys’ Association at luncheon at Messrs. May and Arrowsmith’s yesterday. There was an attendance of upwards of fifty old boys, over which Mr. C. H. Wynyard, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. It. George (president of the association) presided. Mr. Wynyard said it was with very mixed feelings that they were assembled to bid farewell to Mr. Ryder after his association with the school for so many years. They grieved because Mr. Ryder was leaving them, but rejoiced with him on his promotion. “Mr. Ryder is not going to a better school, for he could not,” continued the speaker, “but i he is going on the road of experience ' which will enable him to reach the top lof his profession.” Mr. Wynyard, speaking as a former master of the school, recalled the success of the football team against Te Ante in 1916. a success due in no small measure to Mr. Ryder’s handling. In the common-room, too, tin .-.peaker had found Mr. Ryder a “white man’’ through and through. ' (Applause.) Tn its scholastic achieve-

ments also the school owed much to the ’• ability, conscientiousness of purpose,' and general scientific qualifications of; Mr. Ryder. Speaking on behalf of the | old boys, Mr. Wynyard expressed re- - gret at their guest’s departure, but 1 wished him success in his new sphere. Messrs. A. N. McDiarmid and D. F. C. Saxton also spoke in appreciative terms of Mr. Ryder’s association with the school, the former as representing the older old boys, and the latter the younger. On behalf of the Old Boys’ Association, Mr. Wynyard then presented Mr. Ryder with a handsome liqueur case, and a solid silver jewel case for Mrs. Ryder. The assembly then sang “For they are 1 Jolly Good Fellows.” Mr. Ryder, on < rising to reply, was greeted with ringing cheers. The speaker said he felt he could hardly express his feelings towards the old boys of the school for their kindly words, and for their beautiful presents, which would enable him to look back on the occasion with pride and pleasure, mingled with sadness at leaving the school. He knew he hud made mistakes, and had. perhaps hurt their feelings at times, but he. assured them he had always acted with the best of intentions. Mr. Ryder paid a tribute to the lead given the staff by the principal (Mr. Moyes), whose vigorous character, outstanding ability and i enthusiasm had made the school what it was. Summarising his experiences.

the speaker said he had spent the best years of his life at the school, and felt, by the compliments he had received that day and ever since he had officially severed his connection with the school, that his work had not been in vain. Mr. Rvder also spoke in appreciative terms of Mr. Pridham. the late principal. whom the speaker had always found a Christian gentleman of the highest standing. Tn concluding, he urged the old bovs to retain their keenness for their old school, so that in a very snort time it would lead the secondary schools of New Zealand in everything. (Applause). Another outburst of cheering brought the function to a close.