VALEDICTORY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1934, Page 6

VALEDICTORY

MR. S. J- IRWIN

Teachers from all parts' of the district gathered at Preston’*. tea rooms on Saturday last to farewell Mr b. J. Irwin, insplctor : ,of schools foi West Coast, who Ims been promoted to t|'ie position of Se/nor Inspector ol Southland. . , Tim president of the Westland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute (Mr J. L. Menzies) presided, 'and in his address, congratulated Mr Irwin on his promotion. He referred to. ,the high esteem m which vlr Irwin was held, and expressed the . regret that all felt at his departure. The popularity enjoyed by Mr Irwin had been 4e ihappy product of Ins own impartiality, and the fortunate manner he had in dealing with 'children. His sympathetic manner had made him approachable at all times, and many teachers had to thank-mm for kindly aid and helpful advice. Mr Irwin, as Institute members particularly knew, had always been glad to address teachers, and to- give them the benefit of hi§ own wider experience. His conscientious efforts were very much appreciated. Mr Menzies wished Mr and Mrs Irwin success and happiness in their new sphere of life, and called on Miss M. Wilson to make a presentation. Miss Wilson endorsed the remarks that had been made, and asked Mr Irwin to accept from the teacher s of this area a fine monogrammed Kaiapoi rug. , . Miss E. Dale; presented Mrs Irwin with a beautiful bouquet, and asked her to accept the good wishes of the teachers. _ Mr R. Wild, representing the Education Board, emphasised the necessity for fair-mindedness, and said' that this district had been most fortunate in this respect, for Mr Irwin had enjoyed the confidence of children, teachers and parents. Mr Irwin’s promotion was well deserved, and Mr Wild wa s sure the Department En d made’►a wise step . He wished Mr and Mrs Irwin pleasant days in their new district. Mr T. Kelly, speaking on behalf of country teachers, said that he would prefer to call Mr Irwin the. teachers’ guide, rather than an inspector. Children and teachers would lose a source of inspiration in Mr Irwin’s departure' and their joss would be Southland’s gain. Mr Kelly expressed the conviction that the qualities that had won such respect and popularity here, would later earn much higher promotion. He felt that secretly. Mr and ■Mrs Irwin were sorry to leave the place where they had made so many friends.

Mr Khk-kjay vtioced Jhe, : regret of the retired teachers at !Mr Ir.win s departure. Mr Mackay in very happy vein,, referred to one of his experiences with an inspector. iA s an onlooker with » lengthy experience lie heartily supported the references made to Mr Irwin and was sure of his success in Southland.

Mr T. G. McCullough, president of the Grey mouth branch, thanked the executive dor the invitation to he present and for the opportunity of voicing hi 3 apreeiation. -He emphasised the unanimity of opinion in regard to Mr Irwin’s sympathy and efficiency and related one 'experience to show that parents were sorry to lose such a. fine education official. Mr. Irwin, on rising to reply, was greeted with applause. He expressed )iis pleasure -at the representative gathering in spite of the scattered nature of the district. Mr Irwin thanked individually the various speakers, and paid a tribute to the work of some who came first to the district. He was glad to say he had always bad very amicable relationships ,'witjh members of ithe 'Board, 'with member, 'f rtf committees, with teachers, 'and with the children. His work had entailed the duty of criticism, but he had endeavoured to make' that criticism in an impersonal manner, having as jhis main consideration the welfare of the children. Mr Irwin contrasted schools of yesterday and to-day and found a great improvement, for, inside and outside, the schools were brighter find more pleasant. He was very glad to be able to say that schools on the West Coast did not in any way suffer by comparison with those of other /districts. He would always remember pleasant days on the West Coast. He had spent ten years on this side of the mountains, and his pleasure at promotion was tinged with regret at leaving a, place of which he had grown fond. He thanked the teachers very sincerely for their gifts to Mrs Irwin and himself.

At the conclusion of his reply Mr and Mrs Irwin were accorded musical honours.

During the afternoon some excellent items were given. Mr C. L. Martin played a mazurka of his own composition. Miss Dole, Miss Duff, Mr Menzies and Mr Skelton rendered as a quartette a Thuringian and a Danish folk song. |Miss J. Veale gave a musical monologue “The Game of Life” ; M'ss i(Dale and Miss Meek sang as a duet The Gipsy Chorus from “The Bohemian Girl, ’ Miss A. Duff isang as a solo “Knowest Th u u the Land,” from j “Mignon. A very pleasant function j concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”