HEADMASTER FAREWELLED.

Auckland Star, Issue 106, 6 May 1932, Page 3

HEADMASTER FAREWELLED.

MR R. H. FATERSON, OF EPSOM WARM TRIBUTES TO WORK. Headmaster of the Epsom Associated Normal School for the past eight years, Mr. R. H. Paterson to-day entered into voluntary retirement. He was enthusiastically farewelled at a large gathering of householders and past and present pupils of the school yesterday afternoon. Mr. I. G. Gray, chairman of the school committee, said that Mr. Paterson could continue teaching for a long time, but he had taken up the attitude that by doing so he would be keeping someone else out of a job. " His action is typical of the man," he said. Mr. Paterson had created a fine atmosphere at the school, and proof of the esteem in which he was held was given by the large gathering that had assembled to bid him farewell. Mr. A. Burns, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, characterised Mr. Paterson's action of retiring before his time as most unselfish. The board had always expected a very high standard from a Normal school, and, thanks largely to Mr. Paterson, it had not been disappointed. Other tributes to Mr. Paterson's ability and the influence he had had on the children who had "passed through his school were paid by Mr. John Parr, a former chairman of the school committee; Mr. D. M. Rae, principal of the Training College: the Rev. J. L. Litt, speaking on behalf of the ministers who gave Bible instruction at the school: and Mr. A. Bullians, first assistant master.

Mr. Paterson was presented with a pair of binoculars on behalf of the parents and householders, a bowler's bag from the staff, and a fountain pen from the pupils.

There was a happy scene at the conclusion of the ceremony. Mr. Paterson, who was 45 years in the service, and was headmaster at Mount Roskill, Nelson Street, and Newton East, as well as at a number of country schools, was bombarded with confetti and coloured streamers thrown by the pupils.