VALEDICTORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1922, Page 2

VALEDICTORY

MR. W. A. RUMBOLD. (Own Correspondent.) REEFTON, June 29. At the Reefton District High School yesterday, the scholars, School Committee and parents assembled in the largest room to farewell Mr W. A. Rumbold, the retiring headmaster (who left for Christchurch this morning). Mr J. Goodyer, assistant master, referred to the capital relations that always existed between the scholars and their headmaster, eulogising the latter’s keen interest in everything pertaining to the school, as well as their sports, and expressed the deep affection of the scholars for their departing master. He read a telegram from Mr E. J. Scantlebury, member of the Nelson Education Board and formerly secretary of the Reefton School Committee: “With you in spirit. Goodbye and good luck.” Air W. B. Auld, Chairman of the School Committee, expressed regret at Mr Rumbold’s departure. It gave him both pain and pleasure to be present at the gathering, pain at saying good-bye to an esteemed friend, and pleasure at their master being appreciated, and also at the fact of the school being so successful during Mr Rumbold’s term of office. He concluded by bespeaking a kindly reception for their new master, Mr Hilgendorf, and hoped that the school would still maintain its high standard of efficiency. Miss T. Dellaca and Master H. Reid then presented the following address : — “Dear Mr —lt is with mingled feelings of regret and congratulations that we have heard of your imminint departure from our midst—regret because of the loss we sustain in your removal, and congratulation because you have ascended, yet another rung upon the ladder of success. We shall miss you in many ways, not only in our scholastic world, but also in the world of sport, for we fully recognise that much of the success attained by us in both spheres was due to your hearty co-operation and encouragement. We have felt that you were a friend and counsellor as well as a headmaster. In giving you these slight tokens of respect in which we have always held you, we also give our hearty wishes for continued success in your career and every happiness in your new life. On behalf of the scholars of the R.D.H.S., we are yours faithfully, Herbert Reid, Thelma Dallaca.”

The scholars then presented Mr Rumbold with a handsome silver entree dish and serviette ring. Mr Rumbold returned thanks briefly but most heartily for their handsome present which came as a surprise. He would ever prize it. He referred to the splendid support the school staff always gave him, and the loyalty of the scholars. The latter owed far more to Mr Goodyer in the matter of sport than to himself. He regretted not being able to stay another couple of months so that he could journey with the boys to Hokitika. He, however, wished them luck. He concluded by asking that the same loyalty be extended to his successor, and that the school would continue to worthily uphold its high traditions. He hoped the boys and girls would carry out the motto he had always impressed upon them “Truthfulness and honesty in work,” and wished them all good luck. This was the sign for a vociferous outburst of cheering by the scholars, and they did full justice to the occasion. During the afternoon, Standard VI and, V sang “The Golden Vanity,” IV and IH “The Trail that leads to Home,” and the infants “If I were a Sunbeam.” The singing of the National Anthem concluded the proceedings, which werA most enthusiastic throughout..