40 YEARS A TEACHER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 302, 21 December 1935, Page 16

40 YEARS A TEACHER.

MR. W. G. GRAHAM RETIRES

LONG PERIOD AT TUAKAI*

(From Our Own Correspondent.) TUAKAU,. Friday. After 40 years' service in the teaching profession, Mr. W. G. Graham, headmaster of the Mercer primary school, has retired. The second son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Graham, of Hillside, Pukekohe, Mr. Graham was .born in 1875 and received his education at the Pukekohe primary school. In February, 1890, Mr. Graham received his first permanent position at Waihou and was, later appointed relieving teacher at Waihi. in 1397 he was appointed teacher at Waiheke Island and 18 months later received sole charge of the Okiriri school. For the following six years Mr. Graham gave service at the Whangainarino and Churchill half-time schools, until September 30, 1904. Until March, 1908, he was teacher at Whangarei Heads, after which to February, 1929, a period of 21 years, he -was headmaster of the Tuakau school. Mr. Graham was next transferred to Hautapu for a period of 21 years and then headmaster at Mercer for 3 years 8 months, thus completing his 40 years' service. His term officially expires on January 31, 1930. Teaching at Whangamaripo and Churchill half-time schools, Mr. Graham succeeded in obtaining three junior district * scholarships and one national scholarship, while at Mercer he gah.ed a King's College scholarship. Ho was also successful with proficiency examinations, having no failures at Tuakau for a period of seven years. Apart from his school duties and sport Mr. Graham interested himself in breeding pedigree Jersey cattle, local politics and church affairs. Mr. Graham was tendered a farewell by residents of Mercer and was the recipient of a clock and a floating bowl. From the pupils of the Mercer school he received an armchair and from the tennis club, of which he was a former president, he received a reading lamp. Mr. and Mrs. Graham will live in retirement in Tuakau.