SEDDON MEDALS

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1937, Page 2

SEDDON MEDALS

PRESENTATIONS MADc. The Seddon Memorial Medals were presentea to tne winners at briei ceremonies held at St. Patrick’s Convent School and the Greymouth Main school yesterday afternoon. 'the presentations were made by the mayor of Greymouth (Mr. W. Meldrum), who was accompanied by Mrs. jvietarum. The first ceremony took place at St. Patrick’s School where the recipient was Miss Rosaleen Finlay, daughter of Mrs. M. Finlay of Cobden. In addition to the pupils of the school and bisters, there were present the District Public Trustee (Mr. T. Kane), Rev. Father J. Long Adm., Mrs. Finlay, Miss V. Finlay, and Mr. and Mrs. j. Forrest, parents of the other medal list. The Mayor said that, he was present to hand the Seddon Medal to tne recipient, Miss Finlay. He said that shortly after the death of the late Rt. Hon. Richard John Seddon, a number of his friends in Greymouth decided that they would take a special measure to perpetuate his memory, and they raised a fund to provide for two medals eacli year to be given to the boy and girl obtaining the highest marks. For a time the examination for the medal was held by the Chief Inspector of the district who selected the winners, but more recently a special examination had been held. In 1937 the winning girl Miss Finlay obtained 209 marks, and the winning boy, Master Athol Forrest secured 235 i marks. "The medal,” said the Mayor, “is not only an incentive to girls and boys to put in their best work, but it is also a prize for the excellence of that work. The medal is presented partly out of reverence of the memory of the man who. was probably the greatest Prime Minister New Zealand has ever had.. His memory stands out as such, and during the whole of his time in Parliament, including 13 years as Prime Minister, he represented the Westland district. The second reason for che medal, is to act 'as a spur to the boys' and girls of the West Coast. To win the| medal required your best work, and therefore the winners are to be heartily congratulated on their efforts. To win a prize such as the Seddon Medal while it is proof of the excellence of the work of the winner, is merely a milestone in the career of a boy or a girl. Their whole life is still ahead of them.” Speaking of the losers, the Mayor said that they should not be disheartened. They had had the pleasure of taking part in the contest, and must not be disappointed because they did not win. They should Ifearn to take their beating well, in a sporting spirit, and to congratulate the winner without any jealousy. He would say to them “Keep on trying. Buck up and go in to win. Win or lose, always try to do your best.” The Mayor then handed the medal to Miss Finlay amidst applause, and congratulated her and her mother. Miss Finlay was also presented with the Bevilacqua medal, which she won in addition to the Seddon medal. Mr. Meldrum apologised for the absence of Mr. James O’Brien .M.P. a member of the Advisory Committee, who was unable to leave Wellington earlier. Rev. Father Long expressed his personal gratitude and that of the Sisters of Mercy to the Mayor for being present to hand the medal to Miss Finlay. On behalf of the Sisters and children, Father Long extended a warm welcome to the Mayor, and said that all appreciated greatly his excellent address to the children. They were all at one in their desire to applaud the memory of Richard John Seddon, and appreciated the wisdom of those who devised the scheme for the annual presentation of medals. Father Long paid a tribute

to tlie scrupulously honest manner in which the medal funds had been administered by the Public Trustee, and welcomed Mr. Kane. Father Long said that he was gratified at the success of Rose Finlay, and extended also congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Forrest on the success of their son. The work of both pupils was a credit to their teachers.

The function concluded with, the singing of “God Defend New Zealand.” GREY MAIN SCHOOL. At the Grey Main School, the pupils were lined up in front of the main entrance. The Headmaster (Mr. J. Graham) received the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. Kane, Rev. Father Long, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Forrest. In a short speech, Mr. Meldrum said that the Seddon Medal was proof that the winner had done good work, not onlv in the year in which the medal was won, but for many years prior to that. The winners should not look upon the winning of the medal as being the finish of then work at school, for in their school days, boys and girls were only on the threshold of their career. At school they built up their career, and he urged them tq work hard so that they might be successful in life. The slacker was the one who did not make a success of life, but the Mayor said that he would not like the children to think that he did not realise that they must have some time for sport. He urged them all to be true sports, and in winning contests, not to get “swelled heads.” Tdie Mayor then handed the medal to Master Athol Forrest, and congratulated him and his parents on their success. Cheers for Master Forrest concluded the ceremony.