PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT

Evening Star, Issue 24054, 28 November 1941, Page 3

PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT

FUNCTION AT INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL MR FRASER ENTERTAINED BY CHILDREN Concluding a round of visits during Jii.s few duys in Dunedin, the Prime Minister (the Jit. Hon. Peter Fraser) sit-tended at the M.aeandrew Intermediate School this morning to inspect the; new buildings and to address a low words to the children. Perhaps the most noteworthy features of the morning's ceremony wore the speeches delivered hy two pupils—-Mavis Shiper, who presented a bouquet to Mrs Fraser, who accompanied her husband and that of Harry Russell, who presented buttonholes on behalf of the school to Mr Fraser, the Minister 'of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), and onfrdnnan of the Otago balneation Hoard (Mr J. Wallace), Another outstanding feature, and one whili greatly impressed the visitors, was the singing by the children of ‘ For England,’ 1 Oh God- Onr Help in Ages Past,’ the Dominion’s National Anthem, and their own school song. The Prime M inister complimented them with all sincerity on their singing, and also Mr E. P. Drew, a member of the staff, who wrote the school song and composed the music.

The official party was welcomed by the children at the school gates. They formed a guard of honour from the outer gates to the vestibule. The ceremony itself took place in the assembly hall, others present on the platform with the Ministers and Airs Fraser being Air W. Loathley fthe chairman of the school committee, who presided), the principal (Air H. Davidson), the chairman of the board (Mr AVallane). Messrs D. C. Cameron and IV. Jacobson, the secretary to the board (Mr Carrington), and the architect (Air Alnir). The 330 pupils of the school were grouped in their classes, filling the big hall to capacity, Mr Leathle.V welcomed the visitors, and then the boy and girl mentioned presented their posies, at the same time each man ng a line little speech. The Prime Alinister was officially welcomed to the school by the principal, who thanked him for what he had donefor education by introducing the intermediate schools, while Air Wallace also had a few words to say. Giving three cheers for the Prime Alinister. the children made the rafters shake. Both Air Fraser and Mr Jones spoke to the children, congratulated them on their school, and wished them every success for the future. After the ceremony the, official party inspected the various class rooms with the principal. VISIT TO TRAMWAY DEPOT. Tlie Prime Alinister and Airs Fraser also visited the tramway men assembled at the depot this morning, the occasion being the, first visit of any Dominion leader to the ear depot. The Prime Alinister, who was welcomed by Air AV. B. Richards (president of the Tramways Union), inspected the memorial tablet to the late Prime‘Minister (Rt. Hon. AI. J. Savage), and paid a tribute to his predecessor. Air Fraser, who was accompanied by Air Jones, briefly addressed the men, and received an ovation. Cheers were accorded the Prime Alinister, and the transport manager (Air AV. H. Mackenzie) ...was thanked for making.it possible for. the employees to meet the Aiinisterial partj r .