LONG SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 50, 26 January 1933, Page 2

LONG SERVICE

MR W. H. SWANGER RETIRES. HONOURED BY BOARD. At yesterday’s meeting of the AA’anganui Education Board, it being the final assembling of that body prior to the retirement on superannuation of the secretary, Mr AV. H. Swanger, the opportunity was taken by the members to voice their appreciation of what Air Swanger has done for education in his administrative capacity during a period of 374 years service. The chairman (Mr E. F. Hemingway) moved the following resolution: “That this board place on record its warm appreciation of the work of Mr AV. H. Swanger during his period of 374 years’ service with the board, and tenders him its best wishes on lus retirement.” In speaking to his motion, the chairman- stated that for a long time past he had dreaded the day when Air Swanger would be severing his connection with the board. One could unhesitatingly say that in Air for nearly IS years without getting to know something about him, and he conuld unhesitatingly say that in Air Swanger- they had one who was “a white man through and through.” Faithful to a degree, lie had at ail times given of his best, making his work the chief object of fiis life. AA’as it any wonder that having an official such as Mr Swanger, the AAbinganui Education Board had always held a foremost place among education boards in the Dominion ? As an authority on the Education .Act and the thousand and one regulations under it. Air Swanger had not a superior in the Dominion. In addition, his system of keeping the very involved and complicated accounts of the board was as good as any that could be devised, as was shown by the fact that, although such a huge sum of £170,000 was dealt with, it was seldom there was ever a “tag” on the balance-sheet. ' “If I were asked,” continued the chairman, “to say what was the chief characteristic of Air Swanger, I would say it was his innate courtesy and gentleness. I do not think he could be discourteous if lie tried. And add to this his wonderful knowledge of the Education Act, his accuracy as an accountant, his untiring energy and zeal for his work, and you will understand that 1 make no idle boast when 1 claim that in Air Swanger as a secretary we have had the best man for the position in the Dominion. Knowing what I do of him and his work, 1 been amazed that some Alinister of Education has not taken him from us long since. He couid have filled the position of business head the department, as Secretary for Education, as no other man could, and 1 believe that had he been appointed to such a position our education system would have been improved out of knowledge and the country saved something like a million pounds a year. AVe want business men to manage the business side of the education system, and let the academic men coniine their attention to the academic side, and that alone. It might not be too late even now for the country to avail itself of Air Swanger’s service.” Continuing, Mr Hemingway said that, trained by Air Swanger, Air J. Bree would prove a worthy successor. He was an officer who also had a thorough grip of the Education Act and the accountancy work. Alessrs Aitken, Hornblow, Oram, Coleman, Dukeson, Alunro, Hodges, Colonel Whyte and Air Bree also spoke in appreciation of Air Swanger’s work. The following letter of appreciation, signed by members of the board, was read: “AVe, the undersigned members of the Wanganui Education Board, desire to express to you our deep and sincere regret at your retirement from the position of secretary and treasurer to the board after over thity-seven and a-half years of loyal and devoted service. Thanks largely to your efforts as an administrator and your extensive knowledge of all matters pertaining to education in this country, this board has always held a foremost place among education boards in the Dominion. Under your treasurership the finances of the board have always been maintained in a sound condition, and your advice on financial questions has been of great assistance at all times. AA r e feel that in your retirement from the board’s service we are losing not only a secretary second to none, but one who has been a counsellor and friend. AA’e wish both Airs Swanger and yourself many years of happiness and prosperity in the leisure you have so well and faithfully earned.” Air Aitken presented Air Swanger with the letter and he was also given an oak chair from the board members.

“I have always given of my best and have not spared myself,” said Air Swanger in reply. “I have been interested in the work and, for that reason, I have not found it hard There is a great deal of interest to be had from such a position. One comes in touch with so many people, from Alinisters of Education to secretaries of country schools. I can remember quite well the time of Rt. Hon. Richard Seddon’s term as Alinister of Education, and could tell you many interesting reminiscences of the past. There is 'one fact of which I do feel proud and that is the appointment of Air Bree to succeed me. He is the second whom I have had the pleasure of training to take a position as secretary to an education board. Mr Thornton went to Taranaki and is now secretary to the Nelson Education Board. I can assure you that in Air Bree you will have a secretary whom you can trust, one who knows the work, one who will do his best for you, and one upon whom you can rely. I have been very pleased to know that I have so many friends among the teaching profession, on the school committees and among the parents.” Members of the board and the staff were entertained at afternoon tea by Airs Swanger, and the function terminated with musical honours for the retiring secretary.