FAREWELL TO A TEACHER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1541, 5 August 1886, Page 3

FAREWELL TO A TEACHER.

Mr Ihonaas Hughes, Head Master ol ' th* Geraldine School, who lias recently been appointee? to the head mastership ' of the Papanut school (Christchurch) received on Tuesday last a token of the respect and esteem in which he is held , by the pupils and teachers of the Geraldine School. After it bsoama known that Mr Hughes was abont to remove, the teachers and pupils expressed a desire to present him with a small souvenir of bis stay amongst them, and appealed to the Head Mistress, Miss Hamilton, to assist them in arranging the matter, and deciding what form it should take. Subscriptions were obtained from the parents of the children and the teachers, and, on Tuesday afternoon, in the presence of the whole school, Mr Hughes was presented with a handsome gold albert watch chain and pendant, Mr A, Erskine, Second Master at the school, addressing Mr Hughes and the children, explained to the latter why they had been brought together, and in a few well chosen and appropriate words expressed to Mr Hughes the regret they all felt at bis removal from amongst them, and referred to the kindness and courtesy he had shown to them all during his long stay in Geraldine. Miss Hamilton then, on behalf of the teachers and scholars, made th,e presentation, accompanying it with some words of sincere regret at bis departure, and wishing him every success, and God speed in his new sphere of life. Mr Hughes, who was evidently ranch affected by the incident, replied in feeling terms. He thanked the teachers and children assembled for the very handsome present they had made. He had not thought to have felt the parting from the school so much as he was feeling it, which was very much indeed. Jls had worked among them for the last nine years, during which time many of them had grown up under bis charge in the school, and he fell very much the proof of their kindness in presenting him with this chain, which he would always wear, and which would constantly remind him of the kindnesses he had received and of the happy hours he had spent in the Geraldine school. He knew that to the children the schoolmaster’s position was a troublesome one. They (the children) often had to do things they did not car# to da ; they could not see why they should not go out and enjoy themselves mtead of sitting in school learning lessons which they could not see now would be of any nse to them. But be could assure them that many of those things which they

now disliked would be of the greatest possible use to them when they grew up. tie himself often had to do things he did not like ; for instance, he did not like to go away, but he thought it was good for him, and it was also good for them, as his successor was a really excellent man. He (Mr Hughes) had always experienced the greatest kindpess while he had been amongst them, and he had also noticed a great deal of thoughtfulness shown by the children to himself, although be bad not remarked it. The teachers, too, had always shown him the greatest consideration and given him the greatest help. He was going away to a school near Christchurch, where he should meet with and have to teach new children. It was not a pleasant thing to have to part, and he hoped,some day to come back to Geraldine, not as a teacher, perhaps, but ho hoped to see them all again. He urged upon the children to do all they eould to advance while at school, and never to canse their teachers trouble as, they were worthy of every confidence and consideration they could show them, and ho hoped when the new teacher came they would do their utmost for him too, as he was a gentlaman deserving of their every confidence. He would once more thank thetri for their very kind expression of esteem for him« and also for their very handsome present, which he should always priae very much, and hoped they would all have the pleasure of same day meeting again. The children then gave three ringing cheers for Mr Hughes, and the school separated. Yesterday afternoon a number of the principal residents of Geraldine, frisnds and well wishers of.Mr T. Hughes, met in the Road Board office and presented him with a souvenir, of his stay in the district, consisting of a pair of breakfast cruets and a combination tureen.