VALEDICTORY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, 11 April 1908, Page 7

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELL TO MR R. P’. CLARKSON. A very enjoyable gathering was held in the Normanby Town Hall last night, when between VO and 80 teachers and friends of'Mr R. P. Clarkson assembled to bid that gentleman good-bye. The .gathering was. very representative of the teaching profession within, a radius of 25 miles ,pf... Normanby, and the -highest compliments were paid to Mr Clarkson, who has been" selected as director of the Technical School at Napier. Mr Thomas, of the Eltham school, presided. The Misses Flynn (3) sang “Memory”' very pleasingly, and Miss B. Flynn contributed a solo in charming style. Messrs A. A. Hintz and Liggins also sang to the entire satisfaction of the audience. During an interval Mr Clarkson was presented with a travelling bag and rug, and Messrs C. E. Major, M.P., Cargill (member of the Education Board), and O’Dea (Patea) spoke in terms of warmest appreciation of the guest of .the evening. Not the least interesting reference was that by Mr Major, who conveyed, on behalf of the School Committee, their regret at Mr Clarkson’s departure. Mr Clarkson feelingly replied, and in the course of his remarks said he was equally touched that morning by the gift of a Maori mat by a native child in recognition, as the parent said, of Mr Clarkson’s kindness. He was not sure that he had been as kind as had been said, but if he were beginning here again- he would be more considerate of native children. At the conclusion of Mr Clarkson’s remarks

the company rose anil cordially sang 4 ‘He’s a jolly good fellow.” A capital supper was provided, and dancwas enjoyed for several hours, musjp being supplied by Misses Flynn, Connell, Strack and Sergeant.