PRESENTATION TO MR T. S. FOSTER.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12027, 31 October 1904, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MR T. S. FOSTER.

Mr T. R. Foster, who lias lately bom appointed an inspector, in' placo of Mr Wood (resigned) av;is for thirty years headmaster of the W«*b Chiistchufch School. The esteem'and regard ho has won during that time wero demonstnvted by the - enthusiastic gathering in the school on Saturday. Old pupils arid teachers f>f both sexes; and graduated ages were'there, and the proceedings were unaffectedly cor dial and sincere. Dr. Chilton, chairman of the Presentation Committee, presided, anrl nmongst thosa present w*>re —Messrs C. H. A T. Opie (rlwirman the Board of K<lucation), and T. Ritchie (inspector)!

Mr Mayne, who was a pupil teacher, and Mr B. 1 , . Manliire, who was ft. scholar, under Mr Foster, at the Addington School, away back in the days before the Educatbu Act iva.i pasned, both expressed in homely laujTuope straight from the heart, the obligation under which their old master had laid them. "He was a- splendid teacher, and his training—both moral and educational—was always excellent, an.l he has pupils scattered over New Zealand and the globe who are a credit to him." slid Mr Manhiro. Mr Reese testified to tho esteem of the younger generation of old pupils, and then tho. Chairman added quota. Ho remarked that the impression held by some that free- secondary education was a new thing, was an. altogether mistaken idea. Real secondary education had been carried on in that eclvool—in fact, if not in name—many years ago, before Uio passing of the Education Act in 1870, indeed. Pupils cam© in then from as for North as Amberley, and as far South as Southbridge and Rakaia. ,In complimenting Mr Foster pn the excellence of his methods, Dr. Chilton said .he doubted if any other primary school in New Zeailand had passed on so many pupils to tho colleges and universities. A great many K4H.ers, replete with congratulations and kindly sentiments, had been, received from old pupils in various parts, and Dr. Chilton read extracts from thos? *«Nt by Dr. Orchard, Dr. Lamb (New South Wale?), Mr L. Cohen (Wamganui), and Mr R. Brown (Brisbane) ." Dr. Chiltom then lianded Mr Foster a gold waitch and chain, bearing the recipient's initials and the following inscription:—Presented to T. S. Foster, Esq., M.A., by old pupil* and tea ehftrs of West Cliristchurch School, 1874-1904." A very fine writing desk wa« also presented to Mr Foster. In returning thanks, Mr Foster remarked that many of Wβ old pupiW , w e nowholding responsible - positions in various parta of the globe. After paying a tribute to lira late staff and school committee, Mr Foster expressed his gratitude for tho handsome gifts, and the kindly, eentimenti by which they were accompanied. On sitting down Mr Fceter was given threo ringing cheers.* This concluded the formal part of the' busmen*, and the ladies' then dispensed afternoon tea, over which the oldtimers, rekindled the embers of reminiscence, and enjoyed again the unforgetable delights of their childhood's days.