SEDDON MEDALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1931, Page 12

SEDDON MEDALS

PRESENTATION TO WINNERS The winners of the Seddon Medals for 1931, Hilda Neubauer and James J'Jimmo, both pupils of the Greymouth Technical High School, were this' morning formally presented at the School, witji the medals. Mr. J. B. Kent, on behalf of the Board of Governors of the school, presided, and there were present the Seddon Memorial Committee, the Mayor, Mr. J. W. Greenslade, the District Trustee, Mr. Alex. Bell, and Mr. J. O’Brien. ' T .P. A small attendance of parents, the Principal (Mr. J. B. Hutton), and the teaching staff of the school were also in attendance. The presentation was made from the main entrance, the pupils being drawn up in ranks, outside. Mr. Hutton said that on behalf of the school he was pleased to have present at the presentation, the members of the Seddon Memorial Committee, ,and Mr. Kent. The medals had been won as the result of competition in the Junior ’ National Scholarship Examination, and although the conditions made the examination more for primary pupils, the age limit being thirteen years, medals had this year coihe to pupils of the Technical School.

Mr. Alex Bell read a short extract from a history “Our Race and Empire,” concerning the career and achievements of the late Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, and went on to say that many older people had personal recollections of Mr. Seddon and these with them, would keep his memory green, but to those of a later generation, the pages of history would serve to keep alive the memory of what he had accomplished for the Dominion! Greymouth children had an additional reminder in the Seddon Memorial Medals, competed for each year. In the past it had been the practice to award the medals for the boy and girl gaining the highest marks for English and Arithmetic in the Junior National Scholarship Examination. That examination had how been abolished, but the medals would still be awarded, on other lines not yet arranged. Mr. Greenslade said that the winners of the medals had done great credit to their school, and to their teachers. Speaking of the career of the late Mi. Seddon, Mr. Greenslade said that he had not possessed the same advantages of education as children of the present day enjoy, but had risen to power by reason of his strong personality and character. Had he had the pre-sent-day advantages he might have been even greater. The boys of the Technical School should remember that they could rise to just the same heights. While they might feel that they were hardly done by at school they would find that education would enable them to attain their aim in life, and would make them estimable citizens. Mr. Greenslade then presented the medals, and congratulated the successful pupils and. their parents on the success achieved. Mr. O’Brien said that the Seddon Memorial Medals had been established to serve as a reminder of Mr. Seddon’s achievements. Sacrifice for others had been a feature of Mr. Seddon’s life and it was the finest principle that boys and girls of to-day could adopt. Mr. Kent expressed the pleasure of the Board of Governors at the attendance of the parents at the function and the gathering closed with cheers for the winners of the medals. An apology was received from Mr T. E. Coates, Chairman of the Board of Governors.