WATKINS MEDALS PRESENTED AT SCHOOL TODAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1948, Page 4

WATKINS MEDALS PRESENTED AT SCHOOL TODAY

Before an assembly of the higher standards of the school, the presentation of the Watkins Memorial Medals, to the dux of the school and the runner-up, took place at the Grey Main School this morning. The function is normally held at the end of the school year, but owing to the health restrictions imposed in December, the presentation was postponed last year. The winners were John Greenslade (dux), son of Mr and Mrs J. W. Greenslade, Kilgour road, and Jennifer Dick (highest girl), daughter of Mr and Mrs G. J. Dick, Ida street. The presentations were made by the Rev. K. G. Aubrey.

Introducing the speakers, Mr P. Thomson, chairman of the Grey Main School Committee, congratulated the winners on their success. He also congratulated the headmaster and teachers concerned, and. offered his thanks to the parents of the winners, saying that if would not be fitting if some reference was not made to the parents as there was no doubt about the assistance they gave their children. Tribute To. Late Mr Heaphy

Mr A. M. Jamieson, a trustee of the Watkins’ Medal fund, said that the fund had been established over 70 years ago and had grown from £175 to £283. He paid a tribute to the memory of the late Mr P. C. Heaphy a previous trustee, under whose careful management the fund had flourished enabling, in recent years, two medals to be presented. Mr Jamieson said that Mr Heaphy’s father before him had also been a trustee of the fund, and now his son, Mr Clifford Heaphy, had been appointed a trustee. He congratulated the winners and the parents. Before presenting the medals Mr Aubrey traced the history of the medals . stating that the Rev. Mr Watkins came to this district over 80 years ago. He performed invaluable work connected with the welfare of the people, often travelling long distances on foot to visit miners and other workers in the district. History Of Fund

“About 10 years after his arrival, however, he was taken ill,” continued Mr Aubrey, “and his friends collected money to send him to England, hoping that the sea voyage would restore his health.” He died, however, before the trip eventuated and the money was placed in a fund to provide a medal each year for the dux of the school. The fund since then had flourished and now it was possible to present two medals, he concluded. Mr Aubrey then presented lhe medals to the winners, congratulating them on their.achievement. Musical honours were accorded the winners.

Present at the function were Mr and Mrs J. W. Greenslade, Mr and Mrs G. J. Dick, and Messrs P. Thomson, A. M. Jamieson, C. Heaphy, the Rev. K. G. Aubrey, G. W. Shallcrass, and the headmaster, Mr J. Graham. ....