MANY COMPLIMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 18, 19 October 1936, Page 11

MANY COMPLIMENTS

LETTERS AND TELEGRAMS

A large number of letters and, telegrams conveying gopd wishes to Professor Mackenzie were received for the occasion, nearly all signed by groups of ex-students of all periods. A Christchurch message read as follows: —• . .

"The announcement of your approaching retirement from the chair of English at Victoria College seems to us a fitting time to let you know our gratitude to you for your work with and for us, and what our former association "with you has meant to us in the years that followed.

"Let us first say that we do not write in the. worldly-wise fashion of those who wish to pay tribute to services that have been of material benefit to them in after years. What we have to acknowledge is something more intimate, an element of comradeship you gave to us, some memory of pleasant Wanderings in the ways of learning. You were never the taskmaster. You let us go our ways unhindered but were ever ready with wise counsel. Nor did you make the lecture-room a place of formal and austere dignity only. You brightened our task with the glow of humour.

"We appreciate and acknowledge your lifelong fight lor honesty and the freedom to search for truth, and admire the steadfast courage' with which you maintained that struggle throughout your years at Victoria College. For all these things we remember you,, and we thank you; for later years have taught us that the way to. wisdom is not,alone through the cold logic of the schoolman. There are, too, with some of us older students, gentle memories of the early days when Victoria College was very small, and when the numbers of the professorial staff were not much . greater than the original four; and because you are one of that four, because, therefore, you had much to say in the creation of the traditions of the College, we congratulate you; for we believe that the history of Victoria College is a worthy one, and that you will always hold a high place in the regard of those who were students.

"And now, as you finally abandon your task to take a well-earned rest, we ask you to accept our congratulations on the result of nearly forty years of duty nobly done. Our respect, gratitude, and affection accompany our sincere wishes for many years of happiness in your retirement."

Auckland sentiments were conveyed in the' following letter:—

"Your past students now resident in Auckland regret that none of their number can be present at the complimentary .luncheon to be. given to you on Monday, and wish to convey to you their sincere wishes that you may enjoy many happy years of retirement. They would like to express their appreciation which will always remain of your generous and likeable nature, of your love of freedom and of your willingness to help the students. The earlier students particularly recall the generous way in which you were so ready to help with their sWdies any students even though their actual studies were outside the work expected from you as Professor of English.

"The Auckland students convey to you their very kindest regards and their humble greeting."" '

Many humorous touches were embodied in brief telegrams, some of which follow:— •

"Hamilton Praeterites send greetings and farewells to a brave Scot and a bonny Professor. Postal regulations

alone, prevent adequate tribute in Anglo-Saxon. Waes hael! Hael! Drine hael! Kisses three."

"Greytown past students korero kia ora to the rangatira Professor Makenehii as he "takes off the war paint red to follow peace instead."

Masterton: "Sis semper felix nostrique memor lang may your lum reek haere, haere, haere." Other messages were received from Hastings, Wanganui, Te Kuiti, Opunake, Napier, Tauranga, Invercargill, Dunedin, Blenheim,' Palmerston North, IWhangarei, and New Plymouth.