Presentation To H.E.G. Smith

Northern Advocate, 12 March 1948, Page 4

Presentation To H.E.G. Smith

Recently retired from the position of first assistant at the Whangarei Boys’ High School, Mr H. E. G. Smith and Mrs Smith wore yesterday entertained to afternoon tea by members of the Whangarei High School Old Pupils’ Association.

The retirement of Mr Smith broke a personal link which many old pupils had with the school, said Mr A. Sargent, who presided.

Old pupils had hoped for a more public function but present restrictions on gatherings had made this impossible.

In presenting Mr Smith with a wallet on behalf of old pupils Mr Sargent wished both Mr and Mrs Smith a long and pleasant retirement.

( Mr Smiths work in organising, in !he early days, the games section of the school and also the cadet group was referred to by Mr C. Dent, The present high standard of the school both in Rugby football and in cadet circles was a direct outcome of the energy which Mr Smith had put into the work. Old pupils of the school looked on him always as a teacher and a friend AFTER 11 YEARS After having spent some 41 years in a very rapidly growing school Mr Smith had now retired, said Miss D. Lupton. During that time he had been a very strong link between the school and the old pupils. In 1907 when Mr Smith commenced as first assistant there had been a roll of 76. Since then the school was forever outgrowing the accommodation but the guest of the afternoon had always successfully weathered the storms as they came along. It was only when he retired that pupils past and present had been able to reflect back and realise the tremendous amount of work undertaken by Mr Smith. MASTER AND FRIEND

Throughout the whole of his time at the Whangarei High School he had always tried to be a master and a friend to all his pupils, said Mr Smith in replying. Mr Dent had made mention of his work on the sports and cadet training side and he was pleased that this had been brought up. It was in these spheres of school life that a teacher really got to know his'pupils, said Mr Smith.

Tiie link between past and present pupils had not been broken by his retirement. He would never forget the associations made during his teaching at the school.

He thanked the Old Pupils’ Association for arranging the day and also for their very valued token presented to him.