POPULAR DIRECTOR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1937, Page 4

POPULAR DIRECTOR

MR G. G. HANCOX. TECHNICAL SCHOOL PRESENTATION. “When Mr Hancox leaves the Technical School for his new position in Masterton he will be leaving behind a task well done and a monument that nothing can destroy,” said Mr M. H. Oram, chairman of the Palmerston North Technical School Committee, at a farewell dinner tendered at Messrs Collinson and C'unninghame’s rooms, last evening, by the full-time and part-time staffs of the school to Mr and Mrs G. G. Hancox. “Unfortunately, added Mr Oram, “in the halls of the school his voice will not be heard, but his spirit will live on.” Mr A. J. Newman presidod, and at the principal table 1 were Mr and Mrs Hancox, Mr and Mrs J. A. Wilkinson (parents of Mrs Hancox), Mr Oram, Miss Young and Miss Morgan, the latter two, along with Messrs J. A. Colquhoun and W. F. Goddard, being members of the committee which arranged the function. Following the toast of “The King,” the first speaker was Mr Oram, who thanked the staff for the. opportunity given him to pay a tribute to Mr and Mrs Hancox. He apologised for the absence of Mrs Oram, who was indisposed, stating that she, too, had the greatest respect and esteem for the departing guests. Mr Hancox had been appointed to the school 14 years ago, and the development and expansion of the institution under his directorship had been a revelation. He had always been untiring in his search for avenues to enlarge the scope and usefulness of the school, and as the result of his guiding hand and through his initiative the school had grown to be _of outstanding benefit to. the community. Mr Hancox, by the introduction of new and useful courses, and by the general high ■ tone set, had seen the roll of pupils increase and the staff grow in numbers; he had seen, too, buildings and playing areas expand. AH that had been possible because the retiring director had worked in full co-operation with the committee and with his staff. He was not a man who was a good shop-window dresser—his qualities were more real than apparent, but it was when people came to know the real depths of his character and the big responsibility of his position that they could fully appreciate the value of his services and realise the loss the school was suffering in his departure. Mr Oram added that the highest testimony to Mr Hancox was the unswerving loyalty and devotion to duty of his staff. He was always considerate to those serving under him, and in that lay a big measure of the success of the school. The speaker referred to the help always received from Mrs Hancox, and concluded ,by conveying to Mr and Mrs Hancox and their family the best wishes for future happiness and prosperity.

Mr Newman added his tribute on behalf of the staff, “in-the years-that Mr Hancox has been with us, P© said, “he has given a better and ti interpretation to that word director he has been a counsellor and a fiiencl. The whole staff were loyal to him because he was always loyal to • ’ and they deeply regretted his depa At this stage Miss Young asked Mr and. Mrs Hancox to accept a chiming clock as a small token Of the staff s appreciation and esteem, the speakei wishing the family success and happiness in. their new sphere of service. On rising to reply, Mr Hancox was greeted with applause, “i owe a great deal to the Board of Governors, and a great deal to the staff, ? he said, “and what has been accomplished at the school has been clue to loyal cooperation and a demonstration of the team spirit.” He thanked the speakers for their tributes _ and the staff lor their present, which would not be necessary to remind him of the happy time he and his family had spent in Palmerston North. Mr Hancox traced the history of the school_ over the 14 years of his association with it. “I am satisfied,” he said, “that the technical branch of education is just as important as the purely academic, and we have endeavoured, with some success, I think, to impress this importance on the community.” He concluded by again returning thanks and wishing those present the season’s greetings. Mrs Hancox also briefly returned thanks. . , _ Vocal items were given by Miss Joan Bovis and Mr W. Waters, while Mrs Petersen contributed elocutionary numbers. Miss Cooper presided at the piano. These people were thanked by Mr Goddard.