HEAD MASTER FAREWELLED

Evening Star, Issue 22954, 11 May 1938, Page 11

HEAD MASTER FAREWELLED

Widespread expressions of esteem were accorded the rector of the Lawrence District High School, Mr J. C. Smith, at a farewell gathering in the Parish Hall, Lawrence, on Monday evening. A representative gathering of some 90 residents testified to the popularity and good citizenship of Mr and Mrs Smith and family. _ After three years in Lawrence Mr Smith has been transferred to Green Island. Special tributes from local sports and kindred associations were given bjj Mr C. Jackman (swimming club), Mr Albert Hart (Athenaeum), Mr E. Weatherall (Horticultural Society), and F. M'Farlane (golf club). The Rev. Jas. Simpson (Anglican), Rev. F. W. Winton (Presbyterian), and Rev. J. M. Daley (Methodist) spoke of their association with ‘Mr Smith and his staff at the school. Further tributes were paid by Messrs J. E. Keenan, J. B. M'Kinlay, R. Robson (Evan’s Flat), A. Hopkins, and R. J. Forbes. The chairman of the evening (Mr F. J. Gray), as chairman of the School Committee, referred _ to Mr Smith’s work with the committee, his interest in the grounds, and the teaching of the children to swim. Mr Smith’s work as rector stood compare son with that of the notable rectors of the past. His good work had been well supported by Mrs Smith. On behalf of the district residents and the bodies specially represented, he presented Mr and Mrs Smith with a cheque. Mr Smith, returning thanks, remarked that he had measured the success of his work previously and in part by the fact that the parents did not complain overmuch. It cheered him to know that his work had been

appreciated. Lawrence, as an old mining centre, had seemed like home to him, and the traditions of the school were known all over New Zealand through the work of his predecessors. The gathering concluded with the singing of. “ For they are jolly good fellows.” t