THEN AND NOW

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1923, Page 8

THEN AND NOW

FORTY YEARS WITH EDUCATION BOARD

MR. ROBERT PORT'S RETIREMENT. )

Many changes and big developments in connection with the Wellington Education Board's activities have been observed by Mr. Robert Port during his long term of service, which will, end on the 31st January next. When Mr. Port joined the staff of the board forty years ago there were sixty schools under its jurisdiction, and the average number of pupils was 7000. To-day there are 250 schools, and the number of pupils is approximately 24,000. With the growth there has also been a marked advance in the rate of pay of teachers. Forty years ago the pupil teacher received £12 per annum, whereas L to-day the rate is nearly ten times that "figure. The offices occupied by the board were in Mr. Port's 'earlier days far different from those now. situated in Mercer street. They were then in Brandon street, and curiously enough the City Corporation offices were situated alongside them, as they are to-day. The establishment of a School of Design in 1886, when Mr. Riley was appointed director of drawing, necessitated additional accommodation. A building was rented from the Mutual Life, arid offices from the Government Life Insurance, but when the latter required more room, the board lost its offices. A site was dedicated to the board by the Stout-Vogel Government, next to the Supreme Court, but as the Director of the School of Design reported unfavourably on that site, and suggested an exchange with the Corporation, the board approved of the recommendation and the present site was secured. The board was next faced with the need of money to erect a building, but the chairman at that time succeeded in overcoming the difficulty by securing -an advance, repayable in five years, at 5 per cent. . Mr. Port has served with two secretaries, and in that connection it is singular that his association with each has been for the same length of time—twenty years. During the former secretary's term of office the -board made much progress, and in the last twenty years, in which the present secretary has served, the growth has been extensive. With that growth there has been a "big increase in the amount of office and other work. A period of forty years has, indeed, unfolded a record of progress, in which Mr. Port can claim to have been a prominent figure. Mr. Port has been a valuable servant ol the board, and on many occasions tribute has been paid to his efficiency. He has filled various positions as senior member of the staff, and, in addition to being accountant for some time, he was registrar of the Technical School for eleven years, until the work necessitated a separate appointment. Mr. Port joined the service as a youth, and of the members of the board at that time there are now only three living—the Rev J Paterson, Sir Walter Buchanan, and the Hon. Dr. A. K. Newman, M.L.C. The late Inspector Lee, with whom Mr. Port was associated, found th e retiring official a careful and diligent employee, and Mr. Port- makes no secret of the value of, suggestions ,and advice which he received from the inspector. At all times Mr. Port carried out his work, much of which was of a very intricate character, in an efficient'manner, and he was always at his. post. He is now on three months leave of absence prior to s his retirement from the board's service, which dates from the 31st January next. The staff of the Education Board has shown its appreciation of Mr. Port's long service, and its esteem by presenting him with a carriage clock. The presentation was made by Mr. G. S. Stewart, the secretary, who referred to the retiring officer's good work and expressed regret at his retirement. Other members also paid a tribute, and Mr Port suitably replied. The gift of a tea service was also made to Mrs. Port.