PRESENTATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1588, 31 May 1887, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

Mr F. Bethuhe, who has just resigned the head mastership of the "Valley School, in order to take a'Mtastloa in the Carterton 1 School,; Wellington district, was the recipient of a testimonial and souvenir froth’ his pupils yesterday. Mr K. Bropby (Chairman of the ,|*leaaint Valley School Committee) addressing Mr Bethnne said it was the desire of tha children to give him a small memento of bis raaideoce. Viuong them.. Tlie Oommitteej bad also drafted a testimonial which would be given to him.;'next- day. He then called upon ' Master/ Thomas Bennett, as being the senior, scholar of the school, to read the testimonial. It raa as follows;- '/ ,f ' ‘‘M«f29eK?lßßr. : V'Diar Mr fiEMtwfci--On |tbis tho eve of your departure from amongst ns, we, your pupils, .have assembled her# to bid you u hearty farewell. 'Though yoa bavW'Only been associated for tbs of twb yermtlhat tims you. have endeared, yourself to us all. Wo would therefore'take this opportunity of presenting you With a small token to show you the respect and gratitude wo feel for the doppiniereafcyoubavealwaya taken in us, and we trust you Wifl|aooept it with our bast wishes for your future success and happiness.’ The presentation consisted of a band# some dressing,ciise and two 'beautifully# bound volumes of Milton and Byron’* pOemS.. ' s '■ ■' ■VV: Mr Bsthunn; who was much taken aback by such an expression of kindness, said ho sopposed if he told them he/was sur* prised they would think he wak only repeating the words that were so often used on such occasions. He could assure them, however, that he was v»ry much surprised, as he had not the slightest idea such a thing was intended. He wishe'd to thank them all very much indeed for their handsome present, 1 and • for their kind addreha.' He supposed they all knew that he was leaving' them fur 'he purpose of bettering himself, which was the duty of all. When he hud taken charge of than school two years »go, Jt was with a strong) realiisitidn: of responsibility he had taken upon himself, and many 4 time since, ranch as he had tried;'to do his duty, he had felt he had 1 * ttot succeeded as well as he might have done or as lie, could have wished. .. It bad not been, however, from a lack ,of desire on his part. Speaking of the Committee, he must say that since he bad bden at the school they had treated him as.well as it was possible to treat anybody,' When he came there people said ho would not res mam two months, but he had how been there two years, and was then lenvieg of his ovvnaccord. /He wished to say a few words with regard to hi# assistant, Hies Miller. He could not find words to express what an assistance she had been to him. They all knew how hard she bad worked in the school, and how energetic she had been in getting up concerts or J anything that was for the benefit of the school. It was quite unnecessary for him to say anything more, as they all felt the parents and friends of the children appro

oiated what she had done. Speaking to the children, he said he hoped they woild continue to go on ns they had been doing. When he came among them there bad been a great many disadvantages cone tend against. These were no v about cleared ; away., He urged upon them to|do their belst while at school. Their parents denied themselves great many things in order that t' oy might atteqd aohool, and they (the children) should'!try and , ,work, so that when, they, grew up they would not have to look back and think of the gulden opportunities they had allowed to pass by. He hoped that in future they would'work as well lor their new teaches as they had done for himi (the speaker) in the past. The present they had given him that day would be prised by his. M, one of his greatest treasures, and ahonlffl occupy a post of honor in l his homo,' wherever that might be.' He should always take a great interest in the - Pleasant Valley School, andhe hoped they would always take an interest in him. Ho again wished t& thank, them, very much for the souvenir he had received froml them all. He felt it was a great while going away to be taking with bin the wishes of so many 'kind, friends* Three cheers were then given lor Miifl * Miller and Mr Bothune, after -which tht • school dispersed, Mr Brophy stated, that the iohool would be closed, pending the appointment of the new master. Due notice pf thfj'opea* ing would be given,'': ‘ ' ’}■