A WORTHY MASTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10040, 14 July 1910, Page 5

A WORTHY MASTER.

PRESENTATION TO MR W: H. JACKSON.

GATHERING AT TOWN HALL,

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather last evening, tnere was a large attendance at the public meetiig held in the Town Hall for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr W. H. Jackson, who has occupied the position of Headmaster of the Masterton District High School for the past 21 years. Mr J. M. Coradine (Mayor) presided, and the stage was also occupied by members of the School Committee and other public bodies in Masterton, andprominent citizens. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs 0 Piagnell, C. Perry, and H. of Wellington, all ufwhom expressed appreciation of the valuable services Mr Jackson had rendered as Headmaster of the Masterton District High School. The Mayor said he was pleased to be present at such a gathering. He desired to take this opportunity of thanking those who had promoted the presentation. Masterton; had been greatly favoured in having a gentleman like Mr Jackson at the head of its school. He had abilities most suitable to the position he held. Those who knew Mr Jackson in public life were of hja devotion to tha school. "Mr Jackson is so interested and Fdevoted to his school that he would annex Trust Lands Trust, Borough Council, in fact the whole town, for the school," said Mr Coradine. (Applause). Where Iwas|there Dominion a more capable andjgenthusiastic schoolmaster than Mr Jackson. His devotion to the children of his school was a strong and excellent trait in his character. His whole life seemed centred in the school children, and he as Mavor was proud to preside at such a function in honour of so worthy a gentleman as Mr Jackson. (Applause).

Mr C. E. Uaniell said that first of all be would like to thank the audience for having braved the elements that night. It was a high compliment to Mr Jackson. (Loud applause). He had been asEoeia f ed publicly with Mr Jackson in many ways, They had held different views at times, but they had got on excel-.. lentiv together. As the Mayor had said, Mr Jackson was always fighting for the schools-looking for something for the benefit pf th§ "boys' and girls cf Maaterton* As a parent he.was deeply indebted to Mf Jaijkson for the interest he had taken \h M tehool.&nteHV and he was pleased to be able Mr Jackson in this connection from a public platform. "Ujf children have been better for Mr JaciisWs advice and guidance in their sciffiti Qaya/t said the speaker. Mr Daniell reared to Mr Jackson's excellent service in regard to the Technical School, The agricultural garden at the Main School was a'standing monument to Mr Jackson's interest in his children. (Loud applause.) Mr K. Brown, chairman of the School Committee, in presenting Mr Jackson with a solid silver tea and coffee service, and an address in > album form, suitably engraved, and containing the names of 500 subscribers, said that it had fallen to his lot to make a presentation at one of the most pleasant functions be had ever taken part in in his capacity as chairman of the school committee. He paid a high tribute to Mr Jackson's abilities, and placed particular stress on his devotion to the children, and the keen interest he takes in them. In the confidential reports received by the committee concerning the Masterton School, the tone, discipline arid morality of the school were always refeued to as excellent.

Mr Brown than made th§ presentation to Mr Jackson amid rounds of applause. Mr Jackson,.on rising to reply, was greeted with rounds of applause. "Mr Chairman, ladies and gentleman, old boys and girls, and members of my present family," commenced Mr Jackson, amid laughter. When he had gained success at college at Home, his father had said to him: "Teach well, my boy, and teach straight," and he had always endeavoured to carry out this advice. He had been one of the fortunate teachers. He had taken over the Masterton School from a good teacher, Mr Grundy, who was one of the best masters in New Zealand. He had taken charge of a school that was then looked upon a3 the model school of the Wellington Province. It was a hand tat>k when one took over a school having such an excellent refutation to keep it up to its high stani dard and make a good show. He had been fortunate in having worked under 21 splendid school committees, all of whom had helped him. He bad been fortunate, too, in having a loyal set of colleagues assisting him at the school each day. He had never had a difference with a teacher, and had never had occasion to dismiss a boy frctn the school. Wben he had take-! charge of the school on September 16th, 1888, there were 567 pupils attending the school. He had admitted since 8,876 children; 9,443 children had passed through the schoul, "860 of whom are with me inow a3 my present family," said Mr Jackson. (Applause). There had

always been an excellent teaching staff at the school, and h<3 instanced the present headmasters of the Carterton, Greytown, Featheiston, Lansdowne, Eketahuna, and Mangatainoka Shools, thr-e first assistants of the largest school? in Wellington, and Mr Robert Darroch, Mr Hopkirk, Inspector Bakewell, and Miss Craig, s 11 of whom had at one time or another been teaching at the Master tor* School. Id conclusion he thanked ail those who had subscribed to the presentation. Words could not adeqnatefy express his feelings for the honour done to him that evening. He expressed his thanks to those present for attending and to the Mayor and other gentlemtn for the part they bad taken in honouring him. < Before the gathering Mr Brown moved a hearty vote of tharks to those who had rendered musical v items, the programme having fceen drawn up by Mr G. Braoscn. This was carried by acclamation The following is a copy of the address presented to Mr Jackson:— "Masterton, July, lalO.—To tar W. H. Jackson, Headmaster of the District High School. Dear Sir, — The members of the .School Committee, and ma.y of your old pupils and friends, wish to mark iu a tangible way their appreciation of the fact that you have completed, this year 21 years' service as headmaster of the Maßterton School, and therefore ask your acceptance of this testimonial. Under yoar care the Masterton School has grown from a comparatively smell country ecfaool to a District High School, by far the largest outside the city in this education district, and while it has increased in numbers it has also increas3d ia efficiency until the results attaintrl by the Masteiton District High School have placed it in the froi t rank of the educational establishments of the Dominion, and the efficiency is due in a very large measure to your devotion to the work of your school and to the sacrifice of your own, personal interests tu those of the children under your care. While congratulating you upon the attainment of your majority, they desire to express their warm appreciation of your work, and to acknowledge that many of tfceir children have obtained responsible and honourable position:„ and all have been bettor fitted for the battle of life by your kindly inteir>st in their education and wtJ f » v antl one an 3 all join in the fcoye that you may long be spared to carry on your good work in the M*3terton School.—Signed, on of the Masterton Diatrkt High School Committee and the sufcgcrtfcsrs. hereto > R. BRuWN, Chairman;XT M. EASTHOPE, Secretary. iDuring the evening items wlrer givefl by the following ladies and . gentlemen Miss Daniell (encored), Mr A. Wfcbb k MrL. Webb, Songs: Mms G. McKecbe (encored), and Mr W. S. Jago. iPiano solos: Misses McKenzie and Milne, Miss JW. Jones, Miss Wa<J-» dington, and Misses McKenzie and W, Jones.