FAREWELL TO HEADMASTER

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21436, 30 March 1935, Page 6

FAREWELL TO HEADMASTER

♦ TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE MU W. THOMAS OF TIMARU BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL iSraiCIAL TO THE TSESo. TIMARU, March 29. In recognition of his term of more than 20 years as rector of the Timaru Boys' High School, which concludes this month, Mr W. Thomas was met this afternoon by the pupils, who gave him an enthusiastic farewell. The Assembly Hall was filled when Mr Thomas entered, and on mounting the platform where the masters were assembled, he was greeted with cheersMr D. S. Kemshed, first assistant, said that when Mr Thomas began his duties the school consisted of a very small block of buildings, very different from the institution of to-day The grounds were also in a rough state, but to-day they were laid down in lawns, and surrounded by trees. He had taken office with the object of raising the school to a high standard, and he had succeeded. Not only in South Canterbury, but the manhood of the Dominion had been enriched by the headmastership of Mr Thomas. The head prefect, D. Elder, in presenting Mr Thomas with a dining-room clock on behalf of the pupils and prefects, said that it was chiefly due to his work that the school stood so hig'i as it did to-day. The imprint of Mr Thomas's personality was so great that the institution was Mr Thomas, ano Mr Thomas was the school. In responding, Mr Thomas said that although he was proud, he certainly was not happy. There was no need to have a presentation to him to rei mind him of his association with tne school, for he would remember the boys to the end of his days. He paia i a tribute to the loyalty of the masters, and expressed pride in being able to play his part in obtaining a school park which would soon become xhe playground of Timaru. He hoped the same loyalty as oaa been shown to him would be accorded to Ills successor, Mr Tait.