Popular Teacher Farewelled

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1939, Page 3

Popular Teacher Farewelled

A large crowd gathered at the Riponui Hall on Tuesday evening last Ito bid farewell to Mr R. J. Webster, who has had charge of the Riponui , Valley School for some years, and has i recently left on promotion to take up j the position of first assistant at the Hikurangi School, During the evening Mr Norman Walker, on behalf of local residents, voiced the general deep regret at Mr Webster’s departure. He extolled his merits as a teacher and thanked him for the assistance he had always given freely to local organisations. Mr E. G. Smith, on behalf of teachers present, congratulated Mr Webster on his well earned promotion and paid tribute to the enviable professional reputation Mr Webster possessed. It was an interesting coincidence, he added, that three teachers present that night, once neighbours in • the most southern corner of South Otago, were now grouped together in the North. They were Mr Webster, Mr J. G. Leckie (Hukerenui) and the speaker. * Mr Walker then concluded the cere- j mony by presenting a handsome

* suitably inscribed chiming clock accompanied by the district’s very best wishes for the future. ' In a brief speech, Mr Webster thanked the people of Riponui for their splendid gift and instanced the ready co-operation of the committee and parents as being responsible for the very happy time he had spent in the district. Musical honours and cheers were accorded Mr Webster. Music for dancing was supplied by Messrs A. M. Wilson and J. G. Leckie.

Mrs A. Almond sails on February 22 on a five weeks’ tour of Queensland and New South 1 Wales.