EDUCATION IN LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 9

EDUCATION IN LIFE

SPIRIT OF PIONEERS

GOOD WISHES TO STUDENTS

A plea for the perseverance, initiative, and industry of the pioneers of New Zealand was made by Mr. H. E. Combs, M.P., in addressing the pupils of the Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College at the breaking-up ceremony. He hoped the boys and girls would put into practice the ;.same qualities in a world that would be in need of their help. He was sure they would show the same British qualities of steadfastness and courage as were being shown by the people of Britain today. The Acting Mayor of Petone (Mr. J. C. Burns) wished the pupils every success and hoped the memory of their school would be an abiding inspira.tion in life. ■ "The Hon. W. Nash, who presented certificates to the boys, congratulated the college on its music and was glad to see that it made a special feature of college life. He appreciated the fact that the college had not pressed its claims for additional buildings, and assured the board members that if there was pressing need he would see that buildings were provided. "The college has passed through one of its most difficult though probably most successful years," said the chairman of the board of managers (Mr. W. B. Nicholson). A factor that was •giving the board concern was the number of pupils, leaving without completing their courses. The college had /opened with a roll of 412, but was closing with a roll of 250. He was glad to say that the work of the guidance officer of the college was beginning to be appreciated and many pupils and parents were at least asking for advice. He thanked the staff, and especially the acting principal, Mr. W. A. Ritchie, for their services, and the Parents' Association fo,r its assistance, which the board highly appreciated. Christmas carols were sung by the girls' choir arid items were rendered by the college orchestra under the baton of Mr. R. E. McLay. Certificates of merit in various branches of the college work were distributed. Amongst the special sports and other prizes were the principal's medal to Murray Smith and the board's medal to Patricia Lidston. Murray Smith, amongst other things, represented the college in the Wellington Provincial Association team and was the winner of the mile run at the secondary schools' sports gathering. Patricia Lidston was described by the acting principal as probably the most brilliant pupil who had passed through the college. A feature of the gathering was a message of cordial greeting sent to the principal, Mr. A. McFadyen, who recently underwent a serious operation in Wellington.