THE BISHOP'S SCHOOL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 203, 28 August 1895, Page 2

THE BISHOP'S SCHOOL

PAREWELL TO MR. J. HHARKNESS, B A, Past and present members of the Bishop's School assembled in strong force last oveninj; to bid good-bye to Air J. H. Ilarknoss, who has for so long been headmaster at tbiit w-hool. A largo number of parents and friends of scholar*; were present. The llii-hop of Nelson, who presided, said the occasion \vn» n very important ono in the history of tbo school, and somewhata melancholy one, inasmuch as they were to say (-pod-bye, and parting witold friends always bronght with it some measure of regret. But so far as tbcjr guest was concerned Ilia Lordship loved to think of the nioduliijr of f.Jic expression " {rood-bye, 1 " which was "Clod be with you." It- aiiKneated a future, and tbey wished fllr Harkness to participate in the continued advance of the future, and, judging in some measure by the past, they knew he would succeed, Mr llark--lUMS was leavin-j* them because of circumstances over wbiob neither he nor anyone else bad any poss-iMc control, and here His Loidsliip went into the history of the Bishop's School, showing that the school was over CO years old, but its existence at first was uncertain, and it disappeared from pcimaiicnt existence from LS47 to 1801. Mr Harkness was on tlie stall' of the school in 1878, and in 1879 became headmaster having eight or nine pupils, but by (lis energy and vigour he had , gradually increased his pupils to upwards of fifty. The establishment of so many ] good schools and the College, supported i by endowments and offering free education, greatly affected tlie Bishop't* Sohool, and the number of its scholars dwindled: Without endowments and with the loss of the assistance derived from the keep of , boarder^— scholars from {jli<*. West Coaafc j and other distant parls— the school, hy \ force of circumstances quite beyond their control, gradually lost ground. In the £ departure of Mr Harkness they would ' lose a highly efficient teacher aud oue J possessed o{ many good qualities, whom l

it would be exceedingly difficult to replace. His Lordship had heard boys speak in the highest terms of the interest which was roused in them by tlie Scripture lessons which Mr Harkness gave them, and friends of pupils spoko in similar terms of praise. Hia Lordship had himself examined the school and knew the excellence of the work done, and he bad never heard one single pupil or parent who had not expressed the highest estimation of the teaching given by Mr Harkness. They had to offer their heartiest congratulations to the people of Keefton in obtaining such an exceptionally good and experienced teacher for their school. (Applause), In his new sphere Mr Harkness would have larger scope for the ("utilities which had done so much for their own school, and enable him to vise to a superior position. (Applause). ! Dr. Mackie said that the few years he had been in Nelson and had known Mr Harkness as a citizen and as a successful teacher lie could testify to his many excellent qualities. He wished him equal success in his new sphere. The Rev. J. P. Kempthorne said the fact that some parents had had all their children taught by Mr Harkness was significant of their conlidenco in his abilities ai a teacher. He himself had four boys in the school, and he had personal knowledge of the excellence of the tuition and tlie high moral and general tone of the school, which he hoped would be continued, believing as he (irmly did, that there was room and need for it (Applause?. Mr Frank Hamilton expressed the esteem which the Old Boys had for Mr Harkness, and on their behalf he read an address which acknowledged a deep sense of obligation to Mr Harkness for his good services, and voiced the friendship and esteem which exists. Mr Hamilton asked Mr Harkness to accept a token of their regard, and wishing him every success in the future he handed to that gentleman amidst hearty applause, a gold Albert chain Tlie Bishop said he also desired to give Mr Harkness a little memorial, and presented him with a sllvoi* inkstand and penholder. In rising to reply Mr Harkness was greeted with a great round of applause, in whicli young and old boys joined heartily. He thanked all sincerely for their expressions of regard, and said he was particularly pleased to see so many old boys present. During his connection with the school 230 hoys had passed through it, somo of whom, like birds of passage, attended for a year or two and then disnppeorcd. They had had boys afc the Bishop's School of whom thoy were justly proud— some, he felt confident, might have distinguished themselves as University Wranglers had they continued their studies. (Applause), Mr Harkness had vory cheering memories of those parents who sent their boys to tlie Bishop's School in the earlier days ; he thought now, it was time for him to leave or he would be having tho boys of Old Boys (and here he glanced significantly round) lo teach. Amongst the first boys ho metnbered Nelson Levien as about the first scholar, and all the hoys of that family had passed through tbo school, the youngest — he was almost going to oall him "Ohummie" (laughter)— having j only very recently left to enter an oflice. Among other families of boys who had attended tbe sohool Mr Harkness called to mind tbe Hamiltons, Dartnalls, Gaukrodgers, Lows, and Kempthornes. As to boys who had distinguished themselves he mentioned Messrs Moore, Buekeridge, and F. Waahbourne, who did well almost immediately after they had entered the College. (Applause). He held in his hand a letter from another old boy, Mr F. Bennett (applause) wbo was unable to be present that evening, but Mr Harkness said that such a cheering letter compensated in some measure for bis absence. He had taken a note of the names of many o'd boys to revive his memory, and thinking over tbem ho remembered too how iroublesome some of those hoys had been (Laughter), He thanked them for th* ir address which bore so many names, and the accompanyin*? present, but they knew it did not require thai to keep them in his recollection. He believed there had been tbat ewril de porps. jn the- Bishop's. School which was the waking of a sohool, and from the number vhich attended that evening it was evident that the Old Boys were not ashamed of their school, (Applause). It was net often that he came across a Bishop's School boy of whom he felt ashamed. As to the instruction given they did not want it to co abroad that Scripture knowledge was the only thing taught in the School, yet that had been a grand foundation, aiid some hoys were reaping the benefit of it now. He felt the School hail proved its need, and whilst honestly admitting that the conditions wero not just now favourable to its success, he thought sonic means might bo devised — nnd he suggested the introduction of a Kindergarten insti action department —by which it might bo placid on a better footing and again go ahead. (Applause.) Ju conch-ding, Mr Harkness on behalf pf himself and Mrs Harkness, again expressed hie appreciation of tho kind farewell which had been extended to him, and whioh he said had encouraged him in bis determination to do his duly fearlessly and honestly— to do bis duty to God and his fellowmen. (Prolonged applause.; An old boy— Mr Gibson— who had attended the school 17 yams ago testified to the lasting influence of (ho teaching he had received from Mr Harkness and at his call three cheers for his old schoolmaster were vigourously given. Mr Harkness acknowledged the cheers aud the gathering dispersed, after hearing a few words from the Bishop regarding tb.e future prospects pf the School, ■— **■ i,-w-n_ir)n_i