MR FITZGERALD'S RETIREMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 14036, 17 April 1909, Page 12

MR FITZGERALD'S RETIREMENT.

THE TEACHERS’ SALUTE. Mr W. S. Fitzgerald, rightly described as one of the fathers of education in New Zealand, has received many tributes since his retirement from the position of Otago school inspector was announced. But last night lie received one which may well outweigh, in his mind, all the others combined, for 400 school teachers from all over Otago had combined to present the gifts handed him in the Art Gallery Hall, and 150, representing almost all of the town teachers and many country ones, were assembled there to wish him God-speed. Mr D. R. White, M.A., presided, and amongst the well-known exteachers and educationists present were Messrs James Bed ilimi), M . Milne (Caversham), and Joim Neill (secretary of the Southland Education Board). Several apologies w, re received, together with a telegram from the New Zealand Educational Institute, wishing the gathering success and acknowledging its indebtedness to Mr Fitzgerald. The presentation took the shape, of a fine roll r-top desk for Mr Fitzgerald and an imposing American organ tor Mrs Fitzgerald. The offering of these gifts was entrusted (o Mr White, who in the first place expressed the pleasure it gave him to see not only Otago teachers and ex-teachers thoroughly represent! d, but also Southland, in the person of Mr John Neill.—(Applause.) They were gathered together to say an official good-bye to their guest, who had always, and rightly, been considered one of the pioneers of education in Otago. Mr Fitzgerald would always be social ed with the Educational institute of Otago and of Now Zealand. But it was as the first rector of the Training College that he did bis greatest and most responsible work. The speaker could remember one little incident which was entirely characteristic of Tlr Fitzgerald’s nature. On the first morning on which the speaker took charge of the Normal School he did not feel quite comfortable, coming as be did right in Mr Fitzgerald’s footsteps. He was walking along feeling distinctly uncomfortable, when, there was Mr Fitzgerald coming along the street to meet him and wish him success. That was one of his many kind and thoughtful acts.—(Applause.) Educationally, it was greatly to Mr Fitzgerald’s credit that he was the first man to see that it was necessary to bring the course of the primary school teachers into closer touch with the University course. And, again, he had always held before the teachers the high ideal which they should have of their profession, and if only- for these things, lie deserved to be held in grateful memory by teachers and pupils alike. The characteristics which had made him successful and at the same time popular were: His capacity for administration, his dignity of demeanor and strong personal influence, and his wide professional knowledge. Mr White then made the presentation, wishing Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald peace and happiness and content.

Loud applause followed, and the gathering gave emphatic emphasis of voice to their opinion of Mr Fitzgerald as a “good fellow.” Mr W. Milne, on behalf of the exteachers, spoke at length. He pointyd out that Mr Fitzgerald had done pioneer work in organising the teachers, and had also been the means of bringing the. professors of the University into closer touch with the Institute.

Air James Reid also spoke, and Mr Neill said that in Southland Mr Fitzgerald’s name was almost as much a household word and as much revered as in Otago, because many of their teachers had passed through the Normal School Training College. Air Fitzgerald, in reply, said that as long as memory served him this reception and the kindness of his old friends and colleagues would linger with him. He thanked them for the gifts, and, above all, for the kind expressions of appreciation of the services he had endeavored to do for education. He well remembered his first school at Pigeon Bay, and it was there that ho served his real apprenticeship to the rectorship of the Training College. The work he had to do there had been invaluable ; it had for one thing given him some idea of the country school teacher’s life and hardships. Mr Fitzgerald referred modestly to his later work, to the efforts to bring a closer relation between the teacher and the University, to the establishment of the first New Zealand District High School, in Otago, and to the effort which he and his colleagues (the inspectors) had made to be allowed to visit the schools once a year without reporting to the Board, which allowed a better chance to the teacher by putting him more at his ease and in the best state to show his best work. In conclusion, Air Fitzgerald said: “The Government in the last few years have been alive to the interests of education. But the time may not be far off when we teachers will have again to fall back on public opinion to bear upon our legislators and compel them to do justice to the educational interests of New Zealand.” —(Applause.) A most enjoyable programme of music was provided. The headline attraction was the remarkably fine orchestral selections given by a really good orchestra under the baton of Air J. A. Haggitt. A dance followed. The souvenir programme was a work of art. It contained a splendid photo of Air Fitzgerald, below which the words were written :

The public school teachers of Otago on this occasion seek to do him honor.