FIFTY YEARS A TEACHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16099, 13 December 1915, Page 3

FIFTY YEARS A TEACHER.

MR. E. T. HART HONOURED.

PRESENTATIONS FROM EX-PUPILS.

ert high tributes of respect and esteem j were paid to Mr. E. T. Hart, headmaster i of the Beresford Street school, who was ! the guest of honour at the annual reunion of the Bere&ford Street School Old Boys' Association, held at the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening. Besides constituting a reunion of the old pupils of the school, the gathering, which included ex-pupils from the Nelson and Napier Street schools, had another object in view— of congratulating Mr. Hart upon the attainment! of his jubilee year in the teaching profession, and also of making' him suitable presentations. Mr. J. F. Hosking. president of the Old Boys' Association, presided, and among the visitors were Messrs. J. Trevethick and P. M. Mackav, ex-chairmen of the City Schools Committee, Mr. W. A. Beddoe. Canadian Trade Commissioner, Mr. J. p. McPhail, Mayor of Birkenhead, and Mr. W. Blomfield, Mayor of Takapuna. The first portion of the evening was devoted to music, song and story, an excellent programme being submitted by Mr. S. chard. j The chairman raid that Mr. Hart had commenced his career in Birmingham, over 50 years ago, but 34 years ago he came to Auckland. Since July, 1881, he had been under the control of J.he City Schools Committee. and during that time he had performed incomparable service. For 23 years he had been headmaster of the Beresford Street school. Before that ho had for four years been the first assistant master and prior to that he was engaged for four years at the Nelson Street school and for a similar period at Napier Street school. At Beresford Street school, no less than 14,000 pupils had passed through his hands. Tongue could not tell of the influen.-» he had exerted on these 14,000 persons who now looked back with extreme affection on their old tutor and friend. Mr. Hosking, on behalf of the eld boys of Beresford Street, with whom were associated in this matter the Napier Street old boys, then asked Mr. Hart's acceptance of a set of bowls and a handsome gold watch. A number of other valedictory speeches were made. Mr. Beddoe said that as a j** townio" of Mr. Hart's he could testify to the guest's genial disposition, magnetic personality, sterling integrity and scholarly attainments. In the course of his reply Mr. Hart mad J feeling response to the remarks of the various speakers. Although he had had a long inning? he was not out yet. But the umpire, Father Time, had "de- ! clared the innings closed on Friday next. I Ho would leave the pitch carrying "his bat I and by their « xpressions of friendship and goodwill he felt he had played the game. (Applause. 1 ne other toasts honoured were : " Old 1 Boys and Teachers," proposed by Mr. J. Trevethick, and acknowledged by Mr. L. jV. Moses and Mr. F. J. Ohlson; " Our j Boys at the Front," on the call of Mr. ;W. A. Beddoe, and responded to bv Mr. IW. Blomfield.