MEMORIAL DESK

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 119, 13 February 1935, Page 3

MEMORIAL DESK

Dedication at Marsden School A beautiful carved oak reading desk was dedicated to the memory of the late Archdeacon Johnson by the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. T. H. Sprott, in the assembly hall at Marsden School yesterday morning. The desk, which was carved by Mr. I. 'lsaacs, was given to the school by the Old,girls’ Association, and bears the inscription, “To the affectionate memory of Archdeacon Johnson, sometime chaplain.” The Bishop was accompanied by the Rev. F. M. Kemptlioriie (chaplain of the school) and Canon Percival James, and also on the stage were Miss Mayhew (principal), Miss Baber, Mrs. Sprott, Mrs. Mitford, Mrs. Wallis, members of the board of trustees and of the school staff.

Miss Mayhew briefly addressed the school, welcoming the new girls, and said that she and the staff were looking forward to a very happy and successful year. In her address, Miss Baber said that so often in life people do not seize the chance of showing their appreciation of the beautiful things that come their way, nor do they have the opportunity of being able afterwards to put in perpetual memory their expression of gratitude to one wno had passed away. Archdeacon Johnsbn had not only served the school as chaplain, but as a trustee and member of the board of governors, his service dating from 1911 till 1926 as chaplain, and in the other capacities till the time of his-.death. His love of beauty extended to that of literature, art, and the glories of the Old Land, and therefore it was a special pleasure that Mr. Isaacs had produced for them such a beautiful expression of their affectionate memory for a friend and fel-low-worker.

Miss Baber then addressed Bishop Sprott as follows: “Reverend Father in God, we desire that you will dedicate this reading desk in memory of Archdeacon Johnson, who gave such unselfish service to this school as chaplain, and later as a member of the board of governors.” The Bishop, after prayer, dedicated the desk and briefly addressed the girls, speaking of the qualities which made for the prosperity and happiness of school life. Obedience, industry and unselfishness, he said, were fundamental, adding that he attached importance to games flso, as laxity and lethargy in games often meant that the same qualities were reflected in the school work, and he concluded with ' some words of encouragement. He had great pleasure in dedicating the desk as a memorial of an old friend and fel-low-worker, and he was glad that the Old Girls’ Association wished to have a perpetual memory of one who had been among them for so many years. Archdeacon Johnson’s interest in education had been very great, and he had been very competent to judge results. He had been secretary and examiner of the Board of Theological Studies, and had done excellent, work there. The Bishop also thanked Mr. Isaacs for bis beautiful work.