PRESENTATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1955, 12 October 1889, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

f Mr H. Smith, who has just been 1 appointed master of the Paroa public school, near Q-reymouth, was the recipient on Thursday last, from the scholars of the G-eraldine public school, of a slight token of the esteem and respect in which he is held by the teachers and scholars of the G-eraldine school. Mr Aitken the head master, assembled the children in the large room, and, addressing them, stated that Mr Smith had been entered on the roll of the school as a pupil on Nov. 16th 1875, and when 14 years of age passed the 6th standard. The walls wherein they were assembled had seen him grow from infancy to manhood, as he had Been them grow from youth to old age, and he was sure he could not help loving the old place. Mr Smith and the scholars had grown up together, and with his departure from among them antther landmark would be removed. First Mr Hughes, then Mr Erskine and Mr Kalaugher had left their positions as masters in the school for higher stations in life, and now Mr Smith was about to leave them. Mr Smith had done, his duty conscientiously and well, and he hoped the scholars would take their pattern from hira and say I'll try and do similarly. Ee urged them to be brave, hardworking, and earnest in their work. With regard to the presentation about to be made to Mr Smith he was sorry for one thing, but glad fer another. They had {nothing to give him but the money they had collected. ; His departure had been so sudden there had not been time to purchase a ' suitable preseut, Mr Smith had not 1 been made aware that he was to i receive a present, and it would be a 1 i surprise to him. For his part he (Mr ' Aitken), liked surprise presentations. He had made out a list of presents j that might be suitable, and would ask 'Mr Smith to choose one of them, and in ! the meantime, while Mr Smith was j doing so, he would ask Mr Maslin, (Chairman ef the Committee, to say a ( few words.

; Mr Maslin said he was sorry to stand before them on the morning of the departure of another teacher from the school. He had noticed that some of the beet teachers in New Zealand had been trained at that school, and had particularly aoticed that graduated teachers from such schools as the Geraldine one were in great request for other scheols. As showing how highly the graduated teachers in that school were thought of he would instance Mr Kalaugber, who had had three applications for his services, namely, G-eraldine, Sydenham, and Timaru, Messrs Erskine and Bethune were also in great request. They were all young men of sterling character, and he hoped the children attending the school would try and imitate them, and continue regular in their attendance and persevere in their studies. Whilst regretting Mr Smithy departure he must congratulate him on his appointment as master of a school with a salary of £l4O per annum, and hoped he would be as successful m the future as he had been in the past. Mr Smith then came forward, and stated that he had chosen "Chambers Encyclopedia" from among the list handed to him by Mr Aitken. He thanked 1 Mr Aitken and Mr Maslin for their kind expressions towards him, and for the valuable present he would receive. He would, when he looked at it, always remember the happy times he had spent in Geraldine. He was considerably surprised at receiving such a present. He had only tried to do his duty, and if he had succeeded in that he was satisfied. "Whilst a teacher in the school he had received valuable especially from the head master, who had been a most kind and considerate friend to him. He hoped they would all pay great attention to all the teachers, and to his successor especially. Mr Aitken then called on _ the children to give three hearty British cheers, ,which was responded to heartily, and the proceedings terminated.