LOSS TO EDUCATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 18 February 1926, Page 5

LOSS TO EDUCATION.

SENIOR INSPECTOR TO RETIRE

MR J. A. VALENTINE. At the last meeting of the Taranaki Education Board it was decided ,to protest against the compulsory retirement of the senior inspector (Mr J - A. Valentine). The protest was forwarded to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education. Replies that were received at the boards meeting day appear- to indicate that it will be impossible to prevent the retirement. In making its protest the ' hoard asked that Mr Valentine’s service be extended to the limit of his retning age or for at least one year. Mi Valentine was in a remarkable condition of mental vigour and physical health. His close touch with all phases of educational administration rendered his services of the utmost value both to the department and to the board. Particularly was this so in the present period, when much of his groundwork laid out in 1921 and 1922 had not yet fully developed.. He inspired with his ideals all with whom he came in contact, and had sown seeds which it would be .difficult .at short notice for a new chief to bring to full maturity. The Prime Minister’s letter was to the effect that such matters came entirely within the purview of the Public Service Commissioner, and accordingly the writer had forwarded to the Commissioner the representations submitted. . The Minister of Education replied that he shared entirely the board’s regrets at the loss of Mr Valentine’s services. For a man of his years Mr Valentine’s keenness, vigour, apd.modern outlook were remarkable. His retirement, however, was in pursuance of a general rule laid down by the Prime Minister and Cabinet that officers over 60 vears of asre and with over 40 years’ service should retire. Under that rule some three other inspectors were also being retired. The hoard would therefore understand how difficult and invidious it would be to make an exception even in favour of so worthy a servant of education as Mr Valentine.