SCHOOL FAREWELLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22195, 23 August 1935, Page 15

SCHOOL FAREWELLS

GRAMMAR HEADMASTER TRIBUTE PAID TO MR. MAHON MR. DELLOW ALSO HONOURED The esteem in which the retiring headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, is held by the boys and masters of the school was shown at farewell gatherings yesterday. Masters and boys also farewelled Mr. K. J. Dellow, second master at the school, who lias been appointed headmaster of the Takapuna Grammar School. The bovs' farewell to Mr. Mahon was held in the hall. The school song "Forty Years On" was sung, and the senior prefect, K. H. Macdonald. on behalf of the school, presented Mr. Mahon with a silver trav. and crystal ware. The senior prcfeet expressed to Mr. Mahon the goodwill which existed toward him in all the forms of the school, and assured him that the boys had a real mid sincere pride in their headmaster. Mr. Mahon said the occasion was not a happy one for him, as ho was leaving a great school with which he had been associated for 44 years. He had a deep affection for the school and had been very proud of its achievements. He had often impressed on the boys that the school was really a community, where they should learn the lessons of citizenship and their duty to co-operate with all for tho eonunon good. Team Spirit at School Mr. Mahon referred to the team spirit that had been typical of the school, and he could say with truth and conviction that the school had never failed him. Ho was sure that as the boys went .forth in life they would carry with them the lessons of good citizenship they had learned and that the school had always taught. His rcgrei at. leaving, said Mr. Mahon, was increased by the fact that the school was parting with a valued and esteemed member of the staff, Mr Dellow. Mr. Dellow had been a pupil of his at the. old school in Symonds Street. He thanked Mr. Hollow for his co-operation, and referred particularly to his work with tho cadet battalion. . Loyalty of Staff

A presentation was made to Mr. Dellow, who in reply stated he was under a deep obligation to members of the staff for their loyalty. They were men with a high sense of duty, and his work hud been made comparatively easy hv th* loyal help they had given. Mr. Dellow also praised the' work of the prefects.. "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" was sung by the boys in honour of both Mr. Mahon and Mr. Dellow, and cheers were given.

The farewell bv the masters to Mr. Mahon and Mr. Dellow was held in the Mount Eden tea kiosk. In making a presentation of a travelling rug to Mr. Mahon, Mr. Dellow said ho could say with confidence that at no period of the school's history had the staff been more united or their relations with the headmaster more pleasant and harmonious thin during Mr. Mahon's term. It was realised, too, that the public* esteem in which Mr. Mahon was held and the prominent part he had taken in thi3 educational and social life of had placed the school more than ever in an honoured and dignified position Headmaster's Encouragement

As voting teachers, said Mr. Dellow, they were encouraged by Mr. Mahon'a kindly interest. It was Mr. Mahon, as much as any man in New Zealand, who, as a member of the staff, fought the battle 20 years ago for more just conditions of salaries and work on behalf of assistant teachers generally. In reply, Mr. Mahon recalled the occasion when they had welcomed him as headmaster, when he had said he could not undertake the position unless he felt ho had the loyal co-operation of the staff, and that confidence had been completely fulfilled. The position of headmaster held many responsibilities, and he thought they would give him credit for having made decisions that were in the interests of the boys of the school. He thanked Mr. Dellow and other members of the staff for their loyal co-operation. In making a presentation to Mr. Dellow of a hearth rug, Mr. P. Drummond expressed regret at his leaving, but congratulated him on his welldeserved promotion. Opportunity was taken to farewell Mr. S. P. Jones, for many years clerk at the school, and a former cricket .coach. Mention was made that Mr. Jones was a member of the Australian eleven that in 1882 won the first match against Fngland at the Oval. On behalf of the boys he was presented with a wallet and cheque, and on behalf of the master:?, with a cheque.