PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1922, Page 4

PERSONAL.

An Auckland message states that Mr. Martin R. O’Shea, of Dunedin, has been appointed Registrar of Auckland University College.—Press Association.

Dr. S. Scoullar, surgeon on board the s.s. Tairoa, with Mrs. Scoullar, came ashore at New Plymouth yesterday, and will proceed to his home at Dunedin by this morning’s mail train.

Captain W. G. Summers, in command of the s.s. Tairoa, now at New Plymouth, is paying his fourth visit to the port, having been here thrice previously whilst in command of the s.s. Mamari.

Misses Hodge and Thomas and Mr. Hancock, probationary teachers wlur have been serving on the staff of the Wfest End 'School and who are entering the Training College next year, were each presented by the school committee at the annual breaking-up ceremony yesterday with a volume of the classics, as a mark of appreciation of their work.

A resolution expressing sympathy with relatives of the late Mr. H. A. Stratford was passed at the meeting of the High Schools Board last night. Members expressed admiration of the sterling qualities and high sense of honor possessed by Mr. Stratford, and considered he had left a lasting influence for good in educational circles in New Plymouth. The death is reported from Christchurch of Mr. Maurice Harris, a wellknown business man, at the age of 89| years. He was born at Liverpool, and when twenty-three years of age came to New Zealand, settling in Nelson. In those early days he traded as far as Western Australia, and was one of the first traders to the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. He settled in Christchurch about 1860 and subsequently bought a fancy goods and importing business. He leaves a widow and eleven children, Mrs. Louis - son, wife of the Hon. C. Louisson, M.L.C., is a daughter. Mr. T. : M. McDonald, who has been appointed to the “D ’ grade position in the New Plymouth Boys’ High School, has just completed his arts course at the Otago University. He received his early education at the Gore High School, and was then a probationer in the Gore Public School, from where he graduated to the Otago University and entered the Dunedin Training College. Later he became a sole teacher under the Southland Education Board, but returned to the University in order to continue his studies. He has both at school and the university taken a keen interest in all sports. A tribute to the memory of the late Mr. H. A. Stratford, headmaster of the Central School, was paid by the pupils of the West End School and their parents and friends at the school break-ing-up ceremony at the Eippire Theatre yesterday afternoon. Before the proceedings opened Mr. Jas. Garcia (chairman of the school committee) referred to the 'loss that not only the Central School but education in Taranaki and throughout New Zealand had suffered by the death of Mr. Stratford. He asked those present to pass a resolution of sympathy with the deceased master’s relatives, and the gathering stood in respectful silence for a brief period. The resolution was acknowledged by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., chairman of the Central School committee.

Miss A. K. Anthony and Miss Sharp, of the teaching staff of the West End School, who are leaving the school this week to be married, were yesterday made the recipients of a presentation by the children, the staff, and committee. Miss Anthony was given a travelling rug and a silver mounted oak tray, each adorned with her monogram, while Miss Sharp was given a Doulton salad bowl with servers. The presentations were made by Mrs. Jas. Garcia, Mr. E. H. W. Rountree returning thanks on behalf of the recipients who were vigorously cheered by the scholars.

Before presenting his report to the West End School yesterday, the headmaster (Mr. D. P. Evans) referred to the sad loss the town and district had suffered through the early and sudden demise of the late Mr. Stratford, headmaster of the Central School. He proceeded: “We all knew Mr. Stratford as a man of the highest inoral character, an indefatigable and conscientious worker, a. sympathetic teacher and friend, and as one who unobtrusively gave generous and whole-hearted ■ assistance. To the teachers, parents, and scholars of the Central School, we extend our lieartful sympathy in their irreparable loss.”