MANGATOKI

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 9

MANGATOKI

Farewell Afternoon

(From Our Own Correspondent). A concert programme organised entirely by children of the Mangatoki school in honour of Mr B. H. Parker, who has been chairman and secretary ol the school committee for some years anc * who will shortly- be leaving the district, was held in the schoolroom on Friday afternoon. Master Jack Carlson, who acted as stage manager, announced the items and welcomed -Mr Parker to the school on his arrival. 'file programme was as follows: National Anthem; recitation. Rudolph -uelesi : Highland fling, Marion Alexander; vocal solo. Julia Melesi; recitation, Zena Morgan; drill display, senior pupils; recitation, Doris Hammond ; farewell song by children. At the conclusion of the programme, Master Carlson, on behalf of the children, presented Mr Parker with a cigarette case. In his reply, Mr Parker thanked the children for their gilt- and expressed regret at having to sever lus connection with them. He wished both teachers and children every success in their school work and invited each and everyone to visit him whenever they passed liis way.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING. f At a meeting of the school committee, held on Wednesday evening, there were present Messrs B. H. Parker (chairman and secretary). J. H. Anderson, C. W. Carlson, j. L. Taylor, A. Mahon (headmaster). Mr Parker, who the past six years had been chairman and secretary, tendered his resignation as a member of the committee owing to his impending departure from the district.

j In his report, the headmaster refer- . red to the pleasant relations that had | always existed between Mr Parker | and himself and lie regretted very much his departure. As the chairman of the committee, Mr Parker had taken a keen interest- in the welfare of tile children and in the appearance of the school and surroundings, and bad not spared himself in keeping the grounds tidy during the holidays.- The district could ill afford to lose such an enthusiastic worker in the interests of education. He was sure that in his new liorae Mr Parker would continue to take the same interest in educational matters. Members of the committee endorsed thb Headmaster’s remarks, and while expressing regret at Mr Parker’s departure wished nim every success in his new InVne.

The. resignation . was accepted with regret and an appreciation of Mr Parker’s services on the committee was recorded in the minutes. Mr Parker thanked the headmaster anct members for their kind remarks.

! Continuing his report, the headmaster stated that the roll number totalled 76, the average attendance being 70. Owing to the severity of the weather and the prevalence of colds among the children, the attendance had been greately affected. The school was closed on Friday, May 29, to allow teachers to attend a refresher course in drill at Stratford.

A report and balance-sheet in connection with the jubilee celebrations at Kaponga were submitted by the chairman and adopted. Mr.. L. R. Pease was elected to fill a vacancy on the committee. At the request of the committee Mr Parker retained his office until the close of the meeting. Mr C. W 7. Carlson was elected chairman and Mr J. H. Anderson secretary. Messrs Carlson and Hammond were elected trustees of the bank account, while Mr Anderson was appointed trustee to the Post Office Savings Bank.