A Birthday Gift.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3968, 16 September 1881, Page 2

A Birthday Gift.

The pupils of the Kauaeranga Girls' School had this morning prepared a very pleasing surprise for their head teacher, Miss Haselden. The schoolroom used by the elder pupils was profusely and prettily decorated with flowers, ferns, and appropriate mottos, while in front of the teacher's table stood a pretty what-not, also covered and surrounded with: greenery and blossoms. On the table were some suitable onaments for the what-not, which with these formed a birthday present from the girls to their head teacher.

' On coming into school Miss Haselden was greeted by the wishes of the pupils that she might have "Many happy returns of the day," while one of the younger girls read the following verses, composed for the occasion by Miss Beatrice Watkin. Miss Haselden thanked them for ihe presents, [and also for the labour displayed in the decorations, which, she said, must have been made in a very quiet manner, as she had not even an inkling of wha) was going on until she entered the school. After several of their school songs had been.sung* the younger children, who had^.beeu assembled in this room, filed off to their respective classrooms, and the ordinary school work was resumed:— The years roll on in their ceaseless flight, And the seasons pass away, The earth is fair in the soft Spring light. And 'mid opening buds and blossoms bright We hail thy natal day. Old Father Time pursues his way, Nor falters upon his track ; .. : < ; And little by little he takes each day, And by-gone hours—regret as we maj— Can never be summoned back. He passes infancy weak and frail, He looks at the young at play, He glances at manhood keen and hale And observes when the tottering footsteps fail, And the scattered locks are gray. While generations come and go, And kingdoms rise and full, Time journeys 911, lays all. things low, Ruler and subject, friend and foe, One fate alike for all. The present is ours to have and to use, And not to trifle a . ay, For time is short, and too precious to lose, And if we a chance of i - provenaent abuse, We eball surely regret it some day. As the hours go by on their tireless flight, And the years come round again, May thy.path be tranquil, thy life be bright, May no dark trouble e'er cloud the light., Jy Or afflction give tbee pain. To thee ftur'good wishes we address, Aujivall united pray That heaven may ever guard and,bless, With health, long life, and happiness, To crown thy natal daj; Beatbice E. WAiKitr.