SEDDON MEDALS

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1940, Page 2

SEDDON MEDALS

GREY MAIN PRESENTATIONS The Seddon Medals, won this year by two pupils of the Greymouth Main School, Leonard Smith and Melva Osmers, were -presented to the winners at a function held yesterday afternoon at the front entrance of the school, in the presence of a large number of pupils. Also present were the Mayor (Mr F. A Kitchingham), Mr J. W. Greenslade (chairman of the School Committee). Very Rev. Father J. Long, Mr W. Kane (District Public Trustee) and the parents of the children. Mr Greenslade in a brief speech introduced the Mayor and referred to the significance of the Seddon Medals at the same time congratulating the winners.

The Mayor said he was happy to be present to hand to the winners the medals which commeno rated the name of one of New Zealand’s greatest statesmen, Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon. Seddon, he said, had lived an ordinary life as a miner, and storekeeper, later taking an interest in local affairs, then going to Parliament to become one of the greatest of the Empire’s Premiers. During tne years he held that high office he did ’ a great many things for the masses of the dominion. He had great ideas on Imperial matters, and at the Imperial Conference in 1897, despite the fact that he had not received any education of the standard of many' of the statesmen present, ne was so forceful that he left his mark on the Conference and did much to hold the Empire together. In 1899 he was the first of the Empire Premiers to offer assistance to Britain in the South African war. The children of to day were starting off with more education than Seddon had, and if they persevered in their work and icarn-

ing they could play a big part in the affairs of the country. Mr Kitchingham congratulated the winners, their parents and their teachers,, and said he hoped they would continue to progress in learning. Very Rev. Father Long added the congratulations of the Catholic children and their parents, saying it gave I him pleasure to be present and to ■share the joy of the winners. It was an outstanding proof of Mr Seddon’s qualities that amongst the rising geni eration his work should still be appreciated through the wisdom of Those who made provision for the Seddon Medals. He was glad to say that the greatest friendliness prevailed between the children of the Catholic Schools and those of the State Schools. There also was great friendship between the teachers,

which he was proud to acknowledge. Father Long congratulated the winners and asked them always to hold in reverence the teachers whose work was partly responsible for their success. It showed great co-operation between teachers and children, and also between the parents and the teachers. No school could taKe the place of the good home, said Father Long, who added that co-operation between parents and teachers was essential for the progress of the children. In conclusion he extended to the pupils, parents and teachers, best wishes for a happy and Holy i Christmas.

The Mayor then presented the medals, cheers being given for the recipients and also for the speakers. The saluting of the flag, and singing of the National (Anthem concluded the ceremony, after which the visitors were entertained by the staff at afternoon tea.

’ The Grey Main School honours list for 1940 is as follows:— Dux of School (Watkins Medallists): Jack Thompson. First Girl: Melva Osmers. Seddon Memorial Medals: Leonard' Smith, Melva Osmers. Scott Memorial Essay: Leonard Smith,

Form II (Mr Pankhurst): Ronald Lovell 1, Jack Thompson 2, Kelvin Hopkinson 3, Robert Balchin 4, Ronald Bierworth 5, Baden Hayton 6. Form I (Mrs Wise): Duncan Stewart 1, Phyllis Cairney 2, Mary McKnight 3, Elizabeth Williamson 4, Alma Dobson 4, Valerie Heinz, Jocelyn Bird, equal 6. Standard 4A (Mr Silcock): Warren Strong 1, Jocelyn Milne 2, Denise Barnes 3, Francis Buckley 4, Natalie Evans 5, Alan Clarke 6. Form IB (Mr Weir): Harvey McClymont 1, Betty Gifkins 2, DorothyJones 3, Olwyn Mosley 3, William Bird 5, Errol Ranger 6. Standard 4B (Mp Weir),: Dawn Gifkins -, Elizabeth Page 2, Helen Forbes 3, Jim Macaulay 4, Margaret

Ellery 5, Doris Perrin 6. Standard 3A (Miss O’Grady): Gwynneth Pring 1, John Bird 2, Colleen Gifkins, Robert Graham, equal 3, Gilmer Knell 5, Estelle Gurden 6. Standard 3B (Miss Nisbet): Isobel Howell and Ann Coates, equal 1; Archie Campbell 3, Suzanne Jones 4, Thelma Inkster 5. Margaret Hyland 6, Jean Hopkins 7. Standard 2B (Miss Nisbet): Myra Gurden 1, Nola Dalziel 2, Ngaire Interman 3, Barry Jones 4, Agnes McLagan 5,- Melva Parfitt 6. Standard 2A (Mr Judkins): Gordon Dryden 1, Nancy Forbes 2, Jill Sansom 3, Allison Ellery 4, Heather McKenzie 5, Paul Kelly 6. Standard 1A (Miss Gilbert): Betty Smith 1, Kevin Morgan 2, Clarice GreensVade 3, David fanckhursl 4, Helen Pring 5, Gwyneth Miller 6. Standard IB (Miss Nicholson): Rex Yeatman and Murray Neville, equal 1, Ernest Poole 3, Basil Newton 4, lan Harrison 5, Melville Marshall 6 Alan Milne 7.

Standard 2 B (Miss Nicholson): Robin Williamson' 1, Fred Rose 2, Jim Conza 3,. Colin Gull 4, Ross Harrison 5, Tom Gull 6. P. 4, (upper) (Miss Nicholson): Zoe Wickes 1, Joy Emmerson 2, Betty Wesley 3, Jim Rhodes 3, Douglas Airey 5, Norma Porter 6.