PRESENTATION TO MR. W.T. GRUNDY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2953, 16 December 1916, Page 10

PRESENTATION TO MR. W.T. GRUNDY

TRIBUTES BY PCBLIO MEN. There was" 'a"largo gathering at the iS'ew - Century Hall last evening, when a farewell, social was tendered to Mr. . iAV'. 'T. Grundy, who has retired from tho Jieadma-stership. of. Clyde Quay School, after many Real's ol'; service, j-iie- Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided. Among those present were pupils, expupils;'.- alid' parents -of • pupils. Mr, Grundy was accompanied .by his daughter, Mrs' Lamb., Mrs.' Grundy being absent, iii. Auckland. .: Mr: D. BobertEon, who was one of Mr. Gruudys earliest Wellington associates,'and who was a memuer of the Clyde Quay School Committee for about a quarter of a century,' : said 'Mr. Grundy had done a great deal for the community in the district served by the school. He had overcome many difficulties, and had built: up a fine school. He wished him success in tho future. ■ Mr. G, H. Sykes, M.P., said that he had been taught-by Mr. Grundy at Mastertou, and his opinion was that 110 better :State school teacher ever taught in\N T ° w Zealand. Mr. Grundy went to Mastertou fresh from the scnools of 'Birmingham. Only the shortage -of labour in a busy season > x>revented other Mastertou pupils from being present to" pay tribute to Mr. Grundy. /The Hon. J. G. AV. Aitken (chairman of the - AVellington Education Board), ill behalf of the board, said the board had always looked on Mr. Grundy as one of-the very best schoolmasters. Mr. Grundy had been at Clyde Quay School for 28 years, and yet one never beared a word spoken of him that was .not in his praise. Such, a man was not an ordinary mau, but one of very high soul and very liberal parts. Mr. Gumdy had not merely 'done his duty as headmaster, but lie had' instilled patriotism, . selfdenial, and the things of the spiritual world..' He had led his pupils and knew that there were higher things in life than 'the'-'material tilings. The least the people'of .the locality could do was _to. meet as they had done and show him that they appreciated his good .work. Mr. Aitken conveyed to Mr. Grundy the good wishes of the Education Board Mr. Aitken also alluded to the valuable assistance of Mrs. Grundy.

The Mayor added a few words lo the previous speeches. He said the gathering wa-s a- great tribute to the work of Mr. Grundy, lie mentioned that for some time Mr. Grundy had filled tho.rolo of inspector in the Kducation Service, and had lie desired lo do so he could have continued in that capacity. Mr. i'. Forsyth said! that over 9000 scholars had passed through Mr. Grundy's hands at Clyde Quay, so one could estimate the far-reaching effects of his teaching. Mr. I'orsytTi then presented Mr. Grundy with a purse of and Mrs. Grundy with a gold wristlet watch. In behalf of the old ■ pupils of the Masterton school. Mr. Sykes presented Mr. Grundy with an album of signed photographs of the Masterton expupils. ' • Replying, Mr. Grundy said this was only one of the many kindnesses bestowed upon him by the people of Clyde Quay. For over 50 years lie had been actively employed as a teacher. He. loft tho school with much regret. He had become attached to the children, and he believed they would beconVe worthy citizens. The following entertainment programme was rendered'during the evonmg:—Overture (piano)., Mrs. B. Strong; songs, Mr. L. 11. Partridge, Mrs. J. Martin, Mrs. Mitchell; rccitaRev. A. Hunt; violin solo, Mr. Watson; recitation, Miss lluby Scott.