TESTIMONIAL TO MR J. C. BODDINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2920, 9 June 1888, Page 2

TESTIMONIAL TO MR J. C. BODDINGTON.

A very interesting ceremony took place in the Temperance Hall this morning, being a presentation to Mr. J. G. Boddington of a silver salver and a purse of sovereigns. The following was engraved on the salver: —"Presented to J, 0. Boddington, together with a purse of sovereigns, by Masterton residents, in recognition of his seven years of service as chairman of their Public School, and as a memento of the zeal aud intelligence with which he laboured to advance the educational interests of the town. June, 1888."

The platform was occupied by late and present members of the School Committees, His Worship the Mayor being in the chair. The Mayor addressing the meeting, said Ladies and gentlemen, as one of the oldest residents of this town, it has often fallen to my lot to address public meetings but on no previous occasion have I felt such pleasure in doing so as on the present occasion. (Cheers). When I came up here tweuiy-iiYe years ago, there wore

only four houses. I have since had many dreams, but the present reality surpasses them all. To educate so as to qualify our youth, to take part in the battle of life is of paramount I importance, and I hope that in the future the school will be conducted as well as it lias been in the past. (Cheers). Turning to Mr Boddington he continued " Sir, I liavo the honor to hand you this salver as a token of respect, and also this more solid token in the shape of a purse of sovereigns. I am sure you will not receive them with any more gratitude than I have honor in presenting them. (Cheers). Mr Boddington, in acknowledging the gift craved the indulgence of the ladies and gentlemen present as he had been taken by surprise, and till the present moment had not realised , the difficulty of adequately expressing

his grateful sense of the very great kindness showered upon him. His task was all the harder following as he did an able and eloquent speaker

like Mr Benall. It had often been said tlmt it was the unexpected that always happened, and he had never dreamt while working for the school of such a valuable reward. The time he

had given to school duties had been a pleasure to him, and had he not liked the work he should not have carried it out. (Applause). He felt too that he was receiving a reward for work which had been due to his fellow members of the Committees who had cooperated with him, and whose wishes lie had merely given effect to. He also recognised the valuable assistance of the able secretary of the committee Mr "W. Sellar, and contrasted the growth of tho sclioolfrom the time when

lie first knew it, and when it occupied a fourth or fifth position in the district and its present grand status. Ho pointed out how much of this change was due to the efforts of Mr Grundy, his principal assistant Mr Waite, and the other capable teachers on the staff. Among his late duties as Chairman none had been more gratifying than his periodical visits to the building where good order and discipline was always observable, lie was sure they had reason to bo proud of their school which was second to none in the province including the Wellington city schools. It hail been in the front rank now for five years. Tlicy had been fortunate too in working under an Educational Board where they had many staunch friends who had always favorably received any reasonable request which they had preferred. In conclusion he again expressed his gratitude for the beautiful salver presented to him. It would be regarded in his family as an heirloom which would remind himseif, his wife and children of their many kind friends in Masterton. The surprise to him had been all the greater because ho had not sought popularity, but had thought more of doing his work. (Applause). Mr E. Feist, Chairman of tbc School Committee, proposed a vote of thanks to His Worship the Mayor for having so suitably made the presentation on behalf of the residents of Masterton to Mr Boddington, He felt sure the event would be a lasting one in the memory of all who had taken part in the present proceedings, and lie had 110 doubt Mr Boddington would in future years look back with feelings of pleasure to that day, and the silver salver would be handed down by him to his childron as an heir-loom, (cheers) The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation, and the meeting terminated.