Presentation to Mrs R. Skeen.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2875, 3 May 1878, Page 2

Presentation to Mrs R. Skeen.

A presentation,was made to Mrs B. Skeen at the Waiotatii Creek schoolhouse to-day: at noon. Mrs Skeen is relinquishing charge of the school, which has been under her control since it was first built, and is proceeding to Auckland, and,the presentation made to-day was arranged by the pupils attending ; the school in recognition of Mrs Skeen's dcvotecness as a teacher and kindness to

all her young charges. The presentation took place at 12 o'clock, and waa made through Mr Alexander Brodie, County Chairman, at the request of the pupils, in the presence of a number of visitors (residents of the Creek and others), the new teacher and assistants! and an attendance of, we should say, 150 children, the desks being crowded. . ;: Mr Brodie, in making the presentation, said that, while regretting the occasion that had brought them together, he yet felt pleasure in acceding to the request of the ySungsters to be presetrt. The -get* ting up of the presentation . was, the. spontaneous effort of-the children, and it showed unmistakably the kindly feelings towards their teacher on separation from the pupils she had had so long under her charge. - He would not detain them-with a speech, but would call upon Master Alexander Weir,to read the eiiiress that had been prepared/ \ Theaddress was read very? nicely gby the lad called! upon. The following' is the text, which was neatly engrossed:— ! A ThameVN,Z., Maj; 3,1878. j*■ Dbab Mas SKiisiJ,^ We cSniipt ;ailo|r you. to leave us without telling you how' rmuoh, £ w.e are indebted to ybu for your kindness and the great care and patience you hate shown in teaching üb. •'/; V /■■'.■';•. ; • '[C-W-\-S,': ! . We ask you to accept this address And the small present that acdompariies it as a trifling memento of our lore and esteem, and, wishing you every happineis and prosperity in your ' new. home, . ,'.'<. r;'." '.' ■' Wo are,. . .'V "; ':/'':' i": "' ; Dear Mrs Skaen, '■* '. . Your affectionate pupils. ; Signed on behalf of the pupils of ; „,. the. Waiotahi Creek School— ...... i ['' „..'-,:';..'• MABY M'lf IBCB "V; ' i ! , Waitbb Q-. Bbodie . William &. Edmttkds i - Hbnbx Jam^s Qbkeksiadb Albxandbb Wbeb. I Mr Brodie then handed to Mrs Skeen the " small present" accompanying the, ; address, :which consisted of a pair; of very handsome gold eyeglasses and a gold pencil The first, Mr Brodie re,marked,? would enable the recipient jtp ,'kee.pVher future pupils runder hetr eyei, and remind, her .of, her, rformer pupils, While the pencil case, would be found useful in making notes. He had: very; great pleasure in being the medium of handing these ariicles; to Mirs Skeen, %nd in doing so would/wish, her .every success in her new spHere of duty. .' ' " . ] Mrs Skeen briefly thanked Mr Brodie and the children. She was deeply sensible of their kindness; which was entirely unexpected, but she was not equaUo making a speech. •. . ::; „' """.,'.;•<•:'".'■':•,, :.'-V '■ \ I Mr A. Porter said, as one of the old .Committee of the Waiotahi Schppl;;Pis-, ( trict he had felt it his duty to put in ab appearance on that. occasion, which was one in a measure t» be regretted, but he hoped the change would be to Mrs Skeen's advantage. He would ask the boys to rise and give three hearty cheers for Mrs Skeen. ■ -.-. ;~-\lv : . i-.,:,y: . i.' v This was done in capital time by the boys, and three cheers were then given for Mr A. Brbdie, and three for Mr Chilman, Mrs Skeen's successor. ;'• ;> '.;. ]f •'■ Mr MoNiece said he belie Ted tiiat on such occasions it was usual to gire the children a half holiday, and he would ask the teacher to do this ; which concession being granted, the school dispersed, the children taking an affectionate leave of Mrß.Skeenaß they passed through the