VALEDICTORY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4641, 18 May 1938, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

MR. AND MRS. BRUCE LAIRD. (Own Correspondent). On Monday evening in the Pio Pio Town Hall Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Laird were tendered a public farewell by the residents of Pio Pio. For six years Mr. Lajrd has been assistant master at the Pio Pio Consolidated School, and has now been promoted to the headmastership of the Kauroa School, near Raglan. The function took the form of a social and dance organised by the School Committee, Parents' Association, and kindred sports bodies. Dancing to the music of Jones's Band occupied most of the evening. During the evening Mr. Cullen, chairman of the School Committee, expressed the regret of that body that Mr. Laird was severing his connection with the school. His activities at the school had been very wide and most efficiently carried out, and he was receiving well-deserved promotion. He carried with him the best wishes of the Committee and the parents for success in his new school. Mr. J. Trust, on behalf of the Sports Association, joined with Mr. Cullen in bidding farewell to Mr. Laird and wishing him the best of luck in his new sphere. He thanked him for all his keen interest and work for outside bodies in season and out.

Mr. Green as president of the Golf Club, expressed the regret of that body at the departure of their guests. He had been a most efficient and obliging secretary, and the strong position of the Club to-dav was due in great part to Mr. Laird's untiring energy and enthusiasm. Mr. T. Agar, president of the Tennis Club, wished to thank Mr. Laird for his untiring work as secretary of the Club. His keen interest and work had been very far-reaching. Mr. C. Taylor, representing the Football Club, eulogised Mr. Laird's interest in Rugby, his ability as a referee, and as a trainer on the field. As a schoolboy recently remarked to him, "Mr. Laird was a corker coach." Mr. C. H. Paine, on behalf of the staff of the school, regretted the departure of Mr. Laird. They had always worked most harmoniously together. His work for the school had been of a very high order, and his contribution to the sports side of school life had been outstanding. Mr. Paine then read an apology from Mr. B. H. Howes, headmaster, absent in Auckland. Both he and Mrs. Howes wished to bid good-bye and God-speed to Mr. and Mrs. Laird. Mr. Howes wished to record the conscientious service, marked with enthusiasm and keenness, which Mr. Laird had rendered the school in his six years' service. His influence had extended to all pupils, both within the four walls of his classroom and without. For six years he had carried out the work of conveying children, morning and night, by school bus, and this had been done without mishap or hindrance. He wished to congratulate him on his promotion and to accept his best wishes for success and the happiness of both Mrs. Laird and himself in their new district. Mr. Green then, on behalf of all the bodies represented, asked Mr. and Mrs. Laird to accept as a memento of their good wishes a well outfitted picnic hamper. Throughout their summer holidays whenever they had occasion to use it—and he hoped it would prove extremely useful—there might come a fleeting memory of Pio Pio. Mr. Laird on rising to reply was greeted with cheers and the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Mr. Laird said that, on behalf of his wife and himself, he wished to thank all those present and those gentlemen who had spoken for their good wishes. If he had done half the things reported of him that evening he felt he must have been a busybody indeed. But it was characteristic of Pio Pio people that on an occasion such as that, they should conveniently forget all his failings and recall only the things he had been able to do. He had really enjoyed his six years in Pio Pio. He had cared little for the climate, less for the bus-driving, but he had enjoying knowing its people. He hoped that the friendships he had made would not be too soon lost.

Supper in the capable hands of Mesdames Cullen and Green, was then served, and dancing later continued till midnight.