HONORING A SCHOOLMASTER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10753, 28 April 1911, Page 2

HONORING A SCHOOLMASTER.

MR NELSON'S FAKE WELL. The Pukeuri i-J;ill was well filled hist evening with ;hi audience Unit met to bid a i'orma! farewell and make a presentation to Mr Jas. Nelson (the .schoolmaster) and his wife and family, on the occasion of their departure for Dunodin. Mr Nelson having been appointed first assistant at Forbury lload School. The. Hon. T. Y. Duncan, M.P., presided. The Chairman, in a short opening address, said they had met to do honor to their head teacher, Mr Nelson, who had heen with them for nearly four years. He believed Mr Nelsoii had the confidence of the whole district. He had shown by his tact and ability from the very first that he knew how to get the little folk into line and teach them thoroughly, and _he (Mr Duncan) thought he had accomplished that. He was sorry in one way Mr Nelson was leaving, because it was so hard to separate people after a lengthy residence and with everything going well, but they had to consider that every teacher in the profe.ssio'n liked to rise; therefore it was only natural, that the very best in the teaching business should look out for a high-class school. At the school to which Mr Nelson was removing he would be under the notice of those in authority in the Education Department, and his chances.of promotion would be greater. Many of the town folk thought that a teacher from a country school was hardly what was wanted in a town school, but he (the speaker) believed that many of the countrv teachers were hetter than some they had in the town. They could find no fault with Mr Nelson for wanting to rise, and hoped he would soon find an even worthier position iu a large school'. . The Rev. J. Steven, being called upon to make the presentations, said that jovs and sorrows were often comingled". There was in the hearts of some fathers and mothers a very deep feeling of regret that Mr and Mrs Nelson were going away. There was good reason for the parting, and they had met that night to speed the parting guests, but were sorry the necessity had been laid upon them for doing so. Mr Steven instanced three reasons for the general regret that Mr Nelson was leaving: First, on account of his ability and efficiency; secondly, on account of his loyalty; and thirdly, on account of his manliness. He exhorted the young people. present .to he true to the influence of the teacher who was leaving. The residents of the district had recognised Mr Nelson's ability, and on their liehalf he (Mr Steven) asked his acceptance of an illuminated address, a handsome hall barometer, and (for Mrs Nelson) a silver cake dish. After the presentation the audiencesang heartily "For he's h jolly good fellow." The address, signed by '2O residents of the district, read as follows :

"To Jas. Nelson, Esq., "Dear Sir, —On the eve of your departure we, the undersigned, as representatives of the residents or Pukeuri and district, desire to place on record our appreciation of your services as headmaster of the Pukeuri School for the past three years and eight months. We feel it our duty to make you acquainted with the fact that the .scholars who have passed under your charge have attained a very high standard of work. More, than that, you have entered into the social and industrial side of the school work in a. manner which cannot fail to have a beneficial effect on the after life of the children. "The success of the school garden is but further evidence of your enthusiasm in all branches of school work. The relations of the staff with parents and children have also been of the pleasantest, and in this connection we are compelled to recognise your very laudable endeavor to conduct the institution absolutely free from any favoritism. Though realising the loss sustained by your departure, we cannot- refrain from congratulating you on the very considerable advancement in your profession—an advancement which we feel it our duty to say is your just reward. "In taking your departure from our midst we wish you the best of health and happiness, and trust you will long be spared to continue 'the great and good work you arc engaged in." The Chairman supplemented the Itev. Mr Steven's remarks. He said there was no doubt that Mr Nelsoii would leave many good impressions on the young people of Pukeuri. Speaking of Mrs Nelson, Mr Duncan instanced a case to prove that she would ever be remembered in Pukeuri for her kindly actions.

Mr Nelson, on rising to reply, was loudly applauded. He said lie could scarcely find words to express, on behalf of Mrs Nelson, himself, and family, appreciation of the kind things said of them and his thanks for the handsome presents. If he was to express in words all he felt it would take considerable time; in fact, he did not feel able to say half he would like to say. Their stay in Pukeuri had been a very happy one, and it was some satisfaction to know that their efforts had been appreciated to such an extent, but ■he did not take all the honor, because his assistants in the school, and the' children, and the Committees with which he had worked had done their part loyally. That was an apt word, and applied to the assistance he had received from the people of the district as well. He felt within himself that he had had the support and goodwill of the people in the district. —(Applause.) Any work he had been able to do had been a pleasure, and his only regret was that he had been unable to do more. He had endeavored to the best of his ability to carry on the school work in the best manner possible, and could say in that connection that he had received able assistance from Miss Marwick and Miss Patterson. If at any time any of their Pukeuri friends should be in Duuedin they would be only too pleased to see them at 24 Oxford street, their future home. They would never forget the kindness they had received, and their stay in Pukeuri would always be looked upon as one of the brightest, if not the brightest, periods in their lives. He thanked them again for their kind and beautiful presents. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed this portion of the proceedings, the hall being afterwards cleared for dancing. The speeches were enlivened by musical items, contributed by Mesdaines Dennison and Doig, Miss Steven, Messrs J. Hunter, J. Doig, and Ci. fioodall. The musical accompaniments were played by Mr W. B. Allen.

The Pukeuri school children showed Llioir appreciation of their late master bv presenting, him with a pretty silver rose bowl. From the Sunday School scholars Mr and Mrs Nelson were the recipients of a pair of silver serviette rings. -