POPULAR HEADMASTER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 212, 21 August 1931, Page 5

POPULAR HEADMASTER

MR. AND MRS. McRAE FAREWELLED. FUNCTION AT OTANE. From Our Own Correspondent. The populartiy of the headmaster of the Otane School was demonstrated 011 Wednesday evening, when a record attendance assembled at the Town Hall to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Mcßae. The function was organised by the various local societies with which Mr and Mrs Mcßae were associated during their seven and a half years. The evening was spent in dancing and cards, vocal items being rendered by Miss 1). Campbell (Pukehou), Mis. Irwin and Mrs. N. Tait, and Miss McGreevy. Excellent dance music was supolied by Miss McGreevy and Messrs. Ross, Langridge and L. Davies. Much of the success of the dance was due to the efficiency of Mr. T E. Colquhoun as M.C., assisted by Mr. L. Davies. The ladies of the district supplied a dainty supper which was much appreciated. A spot waltz competition was won by Mr. T. E. Colquhoun and Mrs. Mcßae, and the Monte Carlo waltz hv Mr. T. E. Colquhoun and Miss McGreevy. Just before the supper interval, the chairman of the school committee (Mr. A. E. Black) addressed the gathering. In addition to the guests of the evening there were on the stage: Mr R. H. White, the Rev. R. T. Hall. Mr. A. C. Rowe, Mrs. C. Hanna, and Miss A. Searle. Mr. Black, in his opening remarks, apologised for the absence of Mr. A E. Jull. M.P., who was unable to he present owing to Parliamentary duties, and for Mrs. E. G. Williams, president of the Plunket Society. SERVICES AS HEADMASTER. Mr. Black eulogised Mr. Mcßae's services as headmaster of the school, and stated that the children of the district were losing an excellent friend by the departure of the guest. His enthusiasm for the welfare of the children had been maintained with conspicious energy during the whole period. He had had a "rent deal to do with the initiation of the school sports competition. On behalf of the school committee. Mr. Black wished to thank Mr. Mcßae for the many courtesies he had shown them He wished Mr. and Mrs Mcßae all I success and happiness in their new sphere. Mr. R. H. White referred to the amount of public work undertaken by Mr. Mcßae in addition to his work at headmaster and on behalf of the Plunket Society he wished l<> thank Mrs. Mcßae for her work on the committee and her interest in the v. ’free of the society. He extended to them both his best wishes for the future. . The Rev. R. T. Hall, speaking on behalf of the Otane Library Commit, i tee said that a few years ago the i queen carnival was organised in Otane i and the sum of £llOO being raised in i six weeks. This carnival was nro ! moted on the suggestion of Mr. Mei Rae, and the organising of the var- ■ ious queens was Mr. Mcßae’s own ! idea. Their guest had a great cap ; acity for organisation, and his busi I ness ability had been of the ..utmost ■ value to the library. He had done I wonderful work for the institution, 1 and they all reioiced in his promo--1 tion and wished him and Mrs. Mcßae I health and prosperity in the future Miss Betty Robottom, who was the school oueen in the carnival then pre sented Mrs. Mcßae with a handsome bouquet in the form of a gold horse shoe and heather. Mr. A. C. Rowe, president of the Central Hawke’s Bay branch of the Teachers’ Institute, speaking on behalf of the teachers, stated that Mr Mcßae was one of their most enthusiastic members. During seven and a half years he had only missed one meeting, and during that time had strived to further the interests of the children. He congratulated Mr. Mcßae on his promotion, and stated that it was unfortunate that teachers rendering such good service had to be transferred in older to gain advancement. INSTITUTE’S APPRECIATION. Mrs. C. Hanna, extended the best wishes of the Women’s Institute to Mr. and Mrs. Mcßae, and thanked Mrs. Mcßae for the interest she had always taken in the institute. Miss A. Searle, speaking on behalf of the Basketball Club, stated that Mr. Mcßae was the founder and had always taken a lively interest in the welfare of the club. Much of the success of the club was due to his interest and encouragement, and she also extended the club’s best wishes to the departing guests Mr. Black then presented Mrs. Mcßae, on behalf of the residents of the district, with a. Doulton fruit salad set. and Mr. Mcßae with a substantial cheque, which, he said, did not represent their value to the community, but were merely tokens of appreciation. Musical honours were then accorded to the guests of the evening. Mr. Mcßae on rising to respond, was greeted with rounds of applause He said that he could hardly find words to express his feelings on this occasion. He noticed among the audience most of the old residents of the district, with which he had been connected so long. He noticed also, many past pupils, and amongst the audience also was Mr. T. E. Colquhoun. a member of the school committee, and Miss G. Rood, of the dental clinic, both of whom were in the first class he ever taught. There was also present. Mr. J Prentice, who attended the last school in which he taught. He felt highly honoured at such a large function being ar ranged to farewell Mrs Mcßae and himself, and he stat°d that bis work as headmaster could never _ have achieved any success at all had it not been for the co-operation and ability of the staff the assistance of the school committee, .and the application of the mmils to their tasks. Mr Mr-Rao admitted Imving boon associated with most of llic ouhli'affairs in l'l"W 00-’ 1.-'t r». occosmns * ’ ' - - ,' j.,,.1 1. '• -n! i! I ■

know that each showed by his attendance that he appreciated the point of view of the other side, Mr. Mcßae stated that the success of the carnival was mainly due to the hard work of the committees, and eulogised the work done by Mr. White in promoting the publication of the cookery book to assist the funds of the Plunket Society. He thanked Mr. Rowe for his remarks, and stated that he considered it was only the duty of the people engaged in any undertaking, to support their own organisation. As far as the Otane Basketball Club was concerned, Mr. Mcßae had merely thrown out an idea to the girls which had been enthusiastically taken up. Their present success was due to Miss Searle’s management of the team. He thanked Mr. White and Mrs. 'Hanna for their kind remarks in reference to Mrs. Mcßae. He would leave Otane with many pleasant recollections of the town with which he had been intimately connected since his boyhood, and would never forget its wonderful farewell which had been given him. He fully appreciated and thanked them for the gifts which they had presented him. Dancing was kept up till the small hours, after which the singing of Auld Lang Syne, and the National Anthem, brought a most successful function to a close. PORANGAHAU SCHOOL BALL. The pupils of the Porangahau School held a fancy dress ball on Wednesday night, and it was a huge success The night was fine, and the hall was packed to overflowing, many people having come a long distance to be present. The hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion with red and blue streamers (the school colours), and brightly coloured pennants were hung round the walls. Myriads of multicoloured butterflies floated about, while two huge paper owls helped to decorate the stage. The grand march and folk dances given by the pupils of the school showed thorough and efficient training by the teachers, and special praise is due to Mr Mudgway, the headmaster, for the energetic way in which he had worked to ensure the success of the ball. Excellent music for the dancing was supplied by a local Maori orchestra, while extras were supplied by Misses Hokianga and Treacy, and Mrs MeLaughlan. Mr Thomas made an efficient M.C. The ladies, under the capable supervision of Mrs Healey, provided a delicious supper, and ample justice was done to all the good things provided. The following were in fancy costume:— Girls, —Kai Kani, Tennis Boy; Brenda Fallahce, Lavender Girl; Molly Black, Gipsy Dancer; Vera Ward, Russian Dancer; Ngarie Ross, Old Fashioned Lady; Mabel Burne, Irish Lassie; Helen Cameron, Maid Marion; Pat O'Conno; Early Victorian; Lena Hokianga, Topsy the Nigger; Evelyn Seia Scio, Spanish Servant; Maymorn Taylor, Court Lady; Peggy Stoddart, Old English Girl; Mate Kuru, Thousand Jacket; Ida Barlow, Japanese Girl; Rosie Smith. Scarlet Giri; Ethenie Somerville. . ly Vietarian; Pat Board, Elf; lime Kuru, Ballad Girl; Florence Hokianga, Sports Edition; Mary Kuru, Ponga Leaves; Maud Scia Scia, Nurse; Molly Ross, Lady of High Degree; Joyce Ward, Pack of Cards; Phyllis Green, Winter; Morehu Barlow, Gipsy; Adelaide Hanita, Maori Girl; Beryl Olsen, Fairy; Ani Rapaea, Camelia; Lottie Ropiha, Little Dancer; Dido Kuru, Maori Maiden; Addie Kuru, Ballet Girl; Fay Ross, Dutch Girl; Pam Board, Dutch Girl; Margaret Green, Christmas Tree; Nora Cook, a Night Fairy; Maitu Smith, Fairy; Marjory Thomas, Jonquil; Ropiha, Blue Bell; Delia Tutaki, Maori Princess; Qui Kuru, Karaka Leaves; Joyce Willis, Daffodil. Boys: Harold Willis, Professor; Bassi Scia Scia, Spanish Lord; Don Boss, Pawnee Chief; Arthur Black, Hiawatha; Gordon Ward, Chimney RSweep; George Carr, Indian; Jim Roach, Mexican Cowboy; Horace Hokianga, Sambo the Nigger; Des Boss, Sundowner; Brian Douglas, Black Cat; Ted Fallahee, a Clown; Alt. Smith, Bed Indian; Douglas Black, Pirate; Des O’Connor, Swagger, William Bophia, Huckleberry Fin; Charlie Thomas, Sailor Boy; Ken Cameron, Indian; Tipene Pongi, Swagger; Erica Bophia, Pierrot; Lance Carr, Egyptian Boy; Leslie Seia Seia, Pierrot; Otene Ropiha, Gulf er; Henry Hutana, Page Boy; Reggie Scia Seia, Jockey; Newing Stoddart, Pierrot; Bon Biack, Dutch Boy; Stewart Somerville, Free Country; Peter Stoddart, Clown; Bex Boss, Pierrot; Bert Ropiha, Babbit; John Cook, Indian; Harold Smith, Daddy Longlegs; Lloyd Somerville, Pierrot; Walter Stoddart, Pixie Cheese; Eric Ropiha, Swagger; George Edwards, Maori; William Ward, Sailor Boy; Cyril Wakefield, Pierrot; Geoffrey Scia Scia, Jockey. WOMEN’S INSTITUTE THE WAIPUKURAU BRANCH. Thv monthly meeting of the Waipukurau branch of the Women’s Institute was held at the Masonic Hall, when Mrs 11. Duckworth presided. The meeting took the foim of an open nftcriiboii, old-fashioned dresses being worm There was an attenlanco of between SO and 100 members and friends, 18 of whom wore old-fashion-ed costumes, which created great interest and amusement. Mrs H. M. Keir was attired in a costume that, was in vogue one hundred years ago. Mrs P. Meredith wore a wedding dress that was the height of fashion in the year 1891, and Mesdames Kent’s and Timms’ dresses were at least 40 years old. The motto for the afternoon was: “Good, better, best; never let us rest, until onr good is better and our better best. ’ ’ The afternoon passed all too quickly in social intercourse and musical items, those contributing being Mrs T. Murray (song). Mrs Haines (recitation'), and n short session of community singing was held. Mrs Hyslop supplying 'll*’ An i”‘ neper c-n rhe history 1 ■ r ’ v bv M Lewis, of ”■ <--■ v re; ;’ b;, I rs Young. The i’ ii'-’lion was very instructive,

and stressed the necessity for buying British goods. Fourteen 'persons indulged in the old-fashioned dance, Sir Roger de Coverly, in appropriate costume. The hostesses "for the afternoon wore Mrs Lamont, Mrs Reckin, Mrs Hansen and Miss Davey. After a delicious afternoon tea had been partaken of, Miss Caughley sang “Land of Hope and Glory,” those present joining in the chorus. The president of the Takapau The president of the Takapau branch, Mrs. Jackson, congratulated the local branch on the progress it had made, and expressed thanks for the invitation to attend such an enjoyable afternoon. An interesting feature of the afternoon was the display of heirlooms and other old-fashioned-articles. Four now members were elected. I The institute stall transacted brisk business, and the local branch records

its grateful thanks to the Waipawi and Takapau branches for the assist ance given in supplying old-tim dress and other articles of interest.