Education Board Secretary Retiring

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7065, 26 January 1933, Page 6

Education Board Secretary Retiring

AFTER 37£ YEARS’ SERVICE Special to Times. WANGANUI, Last Night. Mr. Walter H. Swanger, secretary of tho Wanganui Education Board, retires on superannuation at tho end of the inojitn. His resignation was accepted at yesterday’s meeting of the board, members paying tribute to his ability qnd knowledge of administrative methods of education. Ho started in the board’s omploy 37} years ago, rising to tho position of secretary and treasurer in IplO. He is now ono of the leading figures in the administration oi education in the Dominion. The chairman moved tho following resolution: — “That this board placo on record its warm appreciation of the work of its secretary, Mr. W. H. Swanger, during his period of 37} years’ service with the board, and tenders him its best wishes on his retirement.”

In moving the resolution, the chairman said he had for a long time past dreaded the day when Mr. Swanger would be severing his connection with the board. Ono could not bo associated with a man for nearly 18 years without getting to know something about him, and he could unhesitatingly say that in Mr. Swanger they had one who was “a white man through and through.” Faithful to a degree, he had at all times given of his best, making his work the chief object of his life. Was it any wonder that having an official such as Mr. Swanger that tho Wanganui 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, Mr. Swanger had not a superior in the Dominion. In addition, his system of keeping tho very involved and complicated accounts of tho board r\as as good as any that could be devised, as was shown by the fact that although such a huge sum as £170,000 was dealt with, it was seldom there was ever a "tag” on the balance-sheet. "If I wero asked,” continued the chairman, “to say what was the chief characteristic of Mr. Swanger, I would say it was his innate courtesy; and gentleness. I do not think ho could be discourteous if ho 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 I mako no idle boast when I claim that in Mr. Swanger as secretary we have had the best man for the position in the Dominion. Knowing what I do of him and his work, I have been amazed that some Minister of Education has not taken him from us long since. lie could have filled tho position of business head of the Department, as Secretary for Education, as no other man could, and I 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. We want business men to manage tho business side of tho education system, and let the academic men confine their attention to tho academic side, and that alone. It might not be too late even how for the country to avail itself of Mr. Swanger’s services.” ’ Continuing, Mr. Hemingway said that, trained by Mr. Swanger, Mr. J. Brec would prove a worthy successor. Ho was an officer who also had a thorough grip of the Education Act and the accountancy work. Messrs. Aitkcn, Hornblow, Oram, Coleman, Dukeson, Munro, Hodges, Colonel Whyte and Mr. Brco also spoke in appreciation.of Mr. Swanger’s work. Mr. Swanger in reply said that he had always given of his best to the board, and had enjoyed his work through tho years. Mrs. Swanger entertained members of the board and the 'staff at afternoon tea.

A very handsome armchair was presented to Mr. Swangcr by members of the board, and several complimentary littlo speeches were made. The function terminated with the singing of "for He’s a Jolly Good Follow.”