AFTER MANY YEARS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 422, 13 June 1922, Page 5

AFTER MANY YEARS.

MISS BUCKMAN VISITS CENTRAL school. A very pleasant ceremony took place at the Central School this morning whim Miss Rosina Bncktnan, the worldfamed soprano, and an ex-pupil of the old Campbell Street School, visited the former institution. She Was accompanied h.v her husband, Mr Maurice D’Oisly. The distinguished visitor Wins met by the headmaster (Mr L. F. de Berry) and passed through a guard of honour, lornied by senior pupils, to the school entrance, where site was ini reduced to the stall. In the

assembly hall there was, a huge number ol children and their parents, and as Miss Bncktnan ascended the platform she received a tumultuous reception. Ihe headmaster said it was mo of the great days in the history of the school, and they wore there to give a thorough Central [school welcome to the most (fLunguished person who had vi.-Jted the school. Some years ago, he, said, there was sitting in the old, battered desks in the Campbell Sin t School a girl—Resina Buckman. She was imbued with the spirit of the institution. She worked hard, and went to the oilier side of the world, where by sheer ability she won her wry to the highest pinnacle of greatness as far as tho human voice is concerned. Therefore they rejoiced greatly that, she was able to come lack and see Iter'old school. He accorded her the very heartiest of welcomes, the sihool rejotting in the fact that one of its number had become one of (he greatest singers in the world. He si.'.ted that he had taken (lie liberty of looking up Miss Buektnan’s te-

cords. and amongst the school's musty papers he had found what lie wanted. These showed that the great singer had secured full marks for reading, spelling, and arithmetic, and had secured 40 marks out of 50 for hand writing. The inspector’s report, in his own handwriting, was on AILs liuckman’i papers, and ii said: “A’ery lino worl;." This report had been continued by all who under.stood music and by the friths of the world. Front her school days till the present, site had clone very fine work. He assured her that the boys and girls felt, the inspiration of her visit. He wished Miss Buckman and Air D'Oisiy every happiness and prosperity, (Applause.)

Air I*. Lareomb, secretary of the ( entral School Old Boys’ Association, who was at the Campbell Street School at the same

time as Aliss Buckman, also added a heatty welcome, and expressed iho best wishes of the old girls and the rid hoys. Aliss Buckman’s life bad been an example to the present pupils and to the ex-pupils. Air A J, Mallou, chairman of the committee, thanked the visitor on behalf of the householders for having attended at the school.

On behalf of dm school the bead prelect, Master Charles t'ollyer. and the head girl. Albs Bella Gupwell. welcomed Aliss Buckman and her husband, and amid applause the head girl pre-ented her with a handsome bouquet tied with the school colours, Aliss Buckman bestowing a kiss in return. On rising to reply. Alb- Buckman was greeted will; loud clapping and cheering. ,She said she was very glad that Alt de Berry had thought of asking her io visit her old school, as it made her heart happy to be once again amongst the (VniriJ School pupils, lief work had been hard, she said, but she though! ii had been worth while. She gave the _ children a bale advice, saying that to win out they must have courage, perseverance and ambition. and nil would enme rigbl. She was proud Io be i New Zealander, as sbe lonnd they were the mou loyal. She a gam thanked the school for its welcome. Air D'Obley also extendi d thanks io tin pupil-, who then sang a number of i hont-.v. and the gathering dispersed alt.r the National Anthem had been rendered.