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Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 285, 28 August 1922, Page 6

Mi - . F. W. Connell, who is retiring on superannuation from the headmastership of Upper Hutt School, holds the record length of service as a teacher under the Wellington Education Board. Mr. Connell, who received his training in Geelong arid Melbourne, arrived, in Wellington in July, 1877. His first appointment was to Horokiwi Valley. In 1882 he was appointed assistant master in the Willis Street School. After a brief city experience he was sent to the Wairarapa, where he remained, for six years as master at Waihokeka. In 1890 ho was appointed headmaster at Upper Hutt, ana hq has occupied this position for over thirty-two years. His length of service under the Wellington Education Board extends for a period of over forty-five years. Before tho breaking-up demonstration for the second-term holidays took place on Thursday, a number of residents of tlio district visited tho school, whero the pupils with, the school staff, and members of the school committee had assembled to bid good-bye to Mr. Connell. Speeches were made eulogising the work of the school under the retiring headmaster, and presentations were made from the teachifig staff, the senior pupils, tho junior pupils, and tho infant department. Mr. Connell tlianked the speakers for their kind remarks and tho donors for their handsome gifts. In speaking of his sojourn at Upper Hutt ho stated that when ho first arrived the school consisted of two rooms, with olio assistant and 120 children. To-day it was an up-to-date building with seven rooms and as many assistants, with 370 children. Tn the evening tho staff and the committee arranged a farewell in the form of a. children's fancy dress ball. Some four hundred children and parents attended, and tho gathering was in every way a great success.

St. Paul’s Cathedral was illuminated by gas just one-hundred' years ago; the first gns street lamps are eaid to have been used in London in 1802.