“LAST OF THE MOHICANS"

Evening Star, Issue 19273, 11 June 1926, Page 10

“LAST OF THE MOHICANS "

RETIREMENT AFTER FIFTY YEARS’ SERVICE PRESENTATION TO MR S. M. PARK Mr S. M. Park, who has been connected with the Otago Education Hoard for over half ft century, and who recently retired on superannuation, was mot t>y the School Committees’ Association last evening. Many flattering references were made to his services to education in Otago, and also to his efforts on behalf of school committees. Amongst those present were the linn. R. A. Wright of Education) and Mr J. Cangliley (Director of Education). Mr C. A. Lucas (president of the Otago School Committees’ Association) presided. The Chairman said that they had met to do honor to their friend Mr Park, who was retiring after something like fifty-one years’ service with the Otago Education Board. Ho considered that that long period of work was something of a record. They also wished to place on record their appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Park in educational matters in general, and also for what ho had done for tho school committees. They had approached Mr Park on many occasions when in difficulties. They found him easy to approach, and always willing to give them his best advice. On hearing that ho was retiring an appeal was made to all the school committees of Otago, as they felt that it was only right that his services should bo recognised in some tangible manner. He was pleased to bo able to announce that all the committees in Otago had responded. They regretted very much his retirement, and hoped that ho would have many years of enjoyment and health. He'asked Mr Park to accept for himself a wallet with the necessaries inside,” and also one for Mrs Park.

hi welcoming the Hon, Mr Wright, the speaker said that lie hoped the new Minister would spare the pruning knife as far as school committees were concerned. For a long time past their privileges had been curtailed, and he hoped the pruning process had come to an end.

j The Hon. Mark Cohen said that he 'supposed ho had known Mr Park for a longer time than anyone present, ami on occasions he had to see him on business. During the few years lie was on the board Mr Park had given him every assistance. Mr Park had been a perfect slave to duty, and he wondered how Mrs Park had allowed him to “ run riot” in the dingy office like-ho had. He was pleased to see that the association had remembered Mrs Park. The name of Park would always bo remembered in connection with tho administration of education in Otago. He expressed the hope that he would still continue to give his services to educational affairs. Ho had always given of his best to those who had come to him for help. | The Hon. Mr Wright said that lie . would first of all like to refer to the chairman’s remarks about tho pruning knife. No one realised more than the department or himself that the committees were deserving of every consideration, and lie Imped the “ consideration ” they had received would not ho curtailed in any way. Tho speaker said that Mr Park had a record that anyone should he proud of. Ho would like to say how pleased tho department was with Mr Park’s work. Secretaries of boards and the department did not always agree, hut Mr Park, although he had been loyal to his board, had never fallen out with the department, tie had always been able to see the department’s side as well as his hoard's. The department was sorry that Mr Park was severing his connection with tho hoard as an official, but it was hoped that lie would conic hack to the board ns a member. “ Who knows?” added the Minister. “He might be able to enter the House of Poprescntatives.” Mr J. Caughley said that with such a board and such a secretary as Mr Park the department’s relations with Otago had always been of the most pleasant. Mr J. Wallace (chairman of tho Education Hoard) said that the time had not, arrived for him to make his valedictory remarks, hut lie thought, that he, should tell tliem of the services Mr Parak had rendered tho committees. Park had rendered the committees, on the rails. He had been intimately associated with Mr Park for ten years, and he could honestly say that there never had been amove faithful servant than Samuel Morgan Park. Mr Park, who was received with loud applause, said that in his simplicity lie had laid tho flattering unction to his soul that he would bo permitted to steal away into retirement without any fuss or blowing of trumpets. Evidently this was a vain hope. It was not to be thought, however, Hint he was not deeply sensible of the honor tho school committees had done him in inviting him to meet them there that night to take their official farewell after his long term of service. Ho had entered the employ of tho board fifty-one years ago, the provinces of Otago and Solitldand had been united, and the schools of the two districts had been managed from Dunedin The provincial executive was the Education Board. There were then 157 schools (.Iff in the Southland district). The total number of teachers was 288. There were now in Otago alone 253 schools and 774 teachers. Tho office staff numbered three. There were now eighteen officers, and it seemed to him that with tho increasing development of educational affairs and the ever-growing complexity of legislation that it would have to be added to. Those old days were the days of school fees. The teachers’ salaries were met hy a stated Government contribution among them, by the school fees, and the local donations, less tho amount required for the incidental expenses of the schools, and ho supposed tho school committees had as great anxiety as now in balancing their accounts. The head masters were tho fee collectors, and as might he imagined, a considerable part of their time was consumed in this work, which should properly have been devoted to their proper work of teaching and of I supervising their staffs. .Of all those engaged in tho work of education when he had joined in 1875 not one was now in office in Otago or Southland. Ho doubted very much if there was in the dominion anyone nt tho service who had been employed in tho work at that early date. Ho supposed he was, therefore, so to speak, veritably “ the last of the Mohicans,” and it was time ho gavo place to younger strengths- This led his to say that he was sure the Education Board had chosen ns his successor one who in every repect “ filled the bill.” Mr Carrington had had twenty years’ ex- ' perience in the hoard’s office, had dona his bit in the Great War, and was a certified accountant. (Applause.) The members of the School Committee who had to do business with Mr Carrington would find him a very efficient, obliging, and courteous officer. Every friend of education must acknowledge the very important and useful work carried out hy school committees in the interests of the community. His long connection with the members of school committees enabled him to testify to the public spirit they manifested. The great majority of them earned out their duties wtih a zeal and conscientiousness that had won his admiration. He saw before him stalwarts in the cause of education and veterans in school committee and in many other good works besides. Many school committeemen had borne the heat and burden of the day for well over a quarter of a century. He remembered one \vho had carried on for thirty-seven years, most of that time acting as clerk or chairman.

Holding these sentiments regarding the worth ■ of school : committee activities, he hoped they would understand that the appreciative references he had felt called upon to make regarding his work had afforded him much gratification, (hough he was afraid they had been altogether too glowing and much beyond his deserts. Throughout his term of service he had endeavored to carry out his duties as judicially as possible, and in his dealings with' the members of school committees to be as frank as the circumstances of each case allowed.

They had invariably co-operated with him in the most cordial and friendly manner, and his intercourse with them had afforded him genuine pleasure. Ho regretted very much that his official relations with them were now about to close. He desired to thank the Minister for his kindly remarks, and also to thank them for their gift to Mrs Park. (Loud applause.)