TEACHER FAREWELLED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 50, Issue 3022, 6 January 1941, Page 5

TEACHER FAREWELLED

FUNCTION AT PIPIROA MR AND MRS H. lON HONOURED

On Thursday evening, December 19, the Pipiroa Hall was thronged with well-wishers of Mr and Mrs Harold lon, who had gathered there to bid farewell to two of the most popular residents who have ever resided in Pipiroa. Mr lon, who has been in charge of the local school for the past three years, has been promoted to the Papakura School.

Mr Bill Cooper supplied the music for dancing. After supper had been served Mr Phil Clark introduced the members of the community who were to make presentations to Mr and Mrs Lon. He then called on Nancy Welch, the youngest pupil in the school to present Mrs lon with a bouquet.

Conor Keane in a few words then spoke on behalf of the school children and assured Mr lon of the love and respect the children had for him and thanked him for all he had done for them. He then asked Mr lon to accept a clock and inkstand combined, with the sincere wish that he would be happy in Papakura.

Mr E. Keane, chairman of the school committee, said it was with real regret that the residents had gathered to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs lon, stressing the many fine qualities of the guests of the evening, making special mention of the high standard of teaching at the school. After congratulating Mr lon on his promotion, Mr Keane asked Mr and Mrs lon to accept two beautiful easy chairs for themselves and two fireside stools for the children together with suitable toys. Mr F. Wallis was then called on to present a smoker’s stand on behalf of the Tennis Club. He thanked Mr lon for his valued services to the club at all times and for his encouragement to the younger players and wished Mr and. Mrs lon a long and happy life. Mr lon, when he arose to reply, was greeted with rounds of applause. Mr lon thanked everyone for their kindness to him and his family during their stay in the district and said it was with real regret that he was leaving. Mr lon thanked the children for their loyalty to him at all times. To the Tennis Club, he said he hoped they would always remain the happy family they had been and stressed on them the importance of always playing the game for the game’s sake. To the school committee, he said, he owed much for the smooth running of the school and their ever- ready co-opera-tion had been an inspiration. Mr lon on resuming his seat was again loudly applauded. “Auld Lang Syne” brought a memorabe evening to a close.