MR H. B. MASSEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1938, Page 4

MR H. B. MASSEY

FAREWELL PRESENTATIONS WAIRARAPA COLLEGE STAFF AND PUPILS Farewell presentations to Mr H. B. Massey, who is transferring on promotion to the Whangarei High School, were made this week by the Principal (Mr G. G. Hancox) and staff, and also by the pupils of Wairarapa College. At an afternoon tea gathering in the Home Science flat on Monday afternoon, Mr Hancox, on behalf of the staff presented Mr Massey with a bedside reading lamp and a set of carved book-ends. Making the presentation, Mr Hancox spoke of the splendid service Mr Massey had given to the school, not only in the classroom, but in an unstinting devotion of his time to sporting and other outside activities. Pupils got as much or more from members of the staff in these additional activities, Mr Hancox declared, than they did in the ordinary work of the school. Mr Massey’s work for the school, in this respect as in others, had been outstanding. Mr G. W. Morice spoke of the regret he and his colleagues felt at the termination of their long and pleasant association with Mr Massey. Mr Morice expressed warm appreciation of Mr Massey’s character and work. In acknowledging what had been said and offering his thanks for the presents made, Mr Massey spoke gratefully of the agreeable relations he had enjoyed with the staff of the Wairarapa High School, and also with the members of the present staff. He regretted parting with so many good friends, but felt that a time came when it was for the good of the school, and of teachers that there should be changes. The staff of a school should not be static.

Another presentation was made to Mr Massey on Wednesday afternoon by the assembled pupils of the school. The gift of the pupils was a barometer, and in making the presentation, the head boy prefect, B. Patrick, suggested that Mr Massey would find it necessary to keep an eye on the weather in the place to which he was going, particularly on cricketing days. On behalf of all the pupils, Patrick expressed gratitude to Mr Massey for the ungrudging fashion in which he had given his time to coaching and encouraging them in various activities. On behalf of the school cricket team, Patrick presented Mr Massey with a silver cricket shield, handsomely mounted. Mr Massey gratefully acknowledged both gifts and spoke of the pleasure he had found in his work for the school and its pupils.