Taonui

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 47, 25 February 1938, Page 10

Taonui

Freni Our Own Correspondent. . Farewell to Two Popular Teachers. Eloquently testifying to the great esteem and respe ct in which the guests of honour. Miss Curtis and Mrs Walker, are held, was the large gathering present at the Taonui school on Friday night, when the two teachers were farewelled. A concert was staged during the first half of the evening, Items being contributed as follows: Songs, Miss J. MacLeod; recitations, Miss Julio Kendrick; tap dances, Misses Ruth McDowell and Coralie Blenkhorn, of Palmerston North, accompanied by Miss June Scott; songs, Mr Bond, accompanied by Miss Garret; pianoforte solos. Miss Garrett; humorous recitations, Miss Noelene Perriri; songs, Mr N. Shortfall, accompanied by Miss Garrett; sword dance, Highland fling, and sailor’s hornpipe, Miss Ruth McEiowelJ. When the guests of honour appeared on the stage they were greeted w ith prolonged applause, during which Miiss Curtis and Mrs Walker were presented with bouquets. The chairman, Mr McFarland, In his eulogy of the fine work Mis:? Curtis had done for tile children and the betterment of the schooling conditions generally, dwelt on the record of the nine years which Miss Curtis had been heac[mistress of the school. He also commented on the improvements to the school an<i grounds which had been carried out under Miss Curtis' influence. As an example, Mr McFarland referred to the piano, which, he said, would always stand as a tribute to Miss Curtis, as In order to acquire the necessary funds, she had forfeited the whole of her Christmas holidays and devot*sd her time in running a putting green in FeUding. The speaker then asked Miss Curtis' to accept, on behalf of the children, parents, friends. and wellwishers, two fireside chairs as a token of their appreciation and esteem, with the very best wishes for her future success, happiness and well-being. Mr McFarland then paid tribute to the sterling qualities of Mrs Walker. During her seven years sojourn as infant mistress she had eiideared herself to children and parents alike. Mrs Walker had always been kind and considerate to the little children. Mr McFarland then asked her to accept a chiming clock as a memento of her numerous friends in Taonui. and expressed the best wishes of all present. Musical honours were then accorded, followed by three hearty cheers. Replying, Miss Curtis thanked Mr McFarland for his kind remarks, and thanked all present for the enjoyable evening. She expressed her sincere appreciation of the presentation and added that the years she had spent In Taonui had been very happj’. To Mrs Walker, Who had been a wonderful assistant, both in her teaching ability and her friendship, Miss Curtis paid tribute and wished her every success and happiness in her new position. To the chairman, the school committee and all who had helped her in any way during her term of office. Miss Curtis tendered her thanks, and she also thanked all present for thoir kind wishes, making special mention of tho artists who had contributed so largely to the evening’s enjoyment. Concluding', Miss Curtis gave a parting message of regard and encouragement to the pupils, both past and present, and hoped that: they would always remember with kindly feelings their school, which she hoped would continue to improve in every way, and their teachers. Mrs Wa] leer expressed her thanks and appreciation of the gift, and expressed regret at leaving the school and children she had come to regard so highly. The seven years she had spent at Taonui had been some of the happiest she had ever spent, she said. Paying tribute to Miss Curtis, Mrs Walker said that the years of teaching together had built a strong bond of friendship between them, and that Miss Curtis had been more than a senior teacher to her. Mrs Walker thanked all present and concluded by giving a message of affection and best wishes to the little children. Mr McFarland then apologised for the absence of Mr A. Campbell, and thanked the artists for providing such first-class entertainment, and Mesdames T. .T. Russell and C. J. Kendrick, for organising and arranging the programme. Miss Curtis was gowned in a tunic frock of black and floral satin, while Mrs Walker wore a model frock of navy floral georgette. Mrs Taylor, the teacher who is to relieve Mrs? Walker, wore an American model frock of corded silk. Supper was served by an energetic band of ladies. Dancing cc mpleted a very pleasant evening. tho music for which was contributed by Messrs D. Durie and G. Dick. The M.C. was Mr W. Marsden. The singing of “Auld Lan ? Syne” in the early hours ot the morning concluded a very pleasant evening. Among those present were Mesdames E. Cochrane, E. R. McFarland, R R. Tail, F. J. Russell. C. J. Kendrick, W. Ansin, J. M. Durie, F. Macintosh (Feilding), R. Grunt, P. Durie (Gisborne). Wealleans. MacLeod, and Carmine (Feilding); Misses J. Kendrick, N. Price, • N.-Coch-rane, B. Cheetham, J. MacLeod. B. Walker. J. Crabb (Palmerston North), P. Carmine (Feilding), B. -Watkins (Palmerston North). B. Grant, F. MacLeod. J. Carmine (Feilding), J. Maxwell. D. Wealleans. C. MacFarland, R. Walker, F. Price, Puklowski. Personal. Mr and Mrs P. Durie and son, have returned to Gisborne after a holiday spent with Mr arid Mrs J. M. Durie. Aorangi. Mrs F. E. Cheetham is spending a fey? deys in Wellington. The friends of Mr H.' Merritt will regret to learn that he is an inmate of a Wellington hospital, and has to undergo an operation.