SOCIAL AND PRESENTATIONS AT-WAKARI.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12600, 2 March 1903, Page 7

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATIONS AT-WAKARI.

I I On Thursday evening last a pleasant social was held in the school hall, Wakari, in honour of tho lica-d "teacher (Mr W. A. Paiorson), who is leaving the district. Mr M. "Wright (chairman oi tho school committee) presided. The Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland delivered a neat and happy speech, iu which he referred in eulogistic terms to the teacher, whom he had known for some 21 years. He was glad to be present in order to bear testimony to the power for good that Mr' Paterson' had been. Mr Paterson had gained, and held, the respect of all the respectable people in tho district, or who had been in tho district—a sentiment which was loudly applauded. His family, who were born arid had grown up among them, wero greatly esteemed, and reflected credit on their parents. He valued Mr Paterson as a man and as a tcacher who taught the children what was, in his estimation, infinitely more valuable to them than a few facts crammed and forgotten in about six months. The best thing ho could wish for tho school was that the teacher who followed would bo a man of the same stamp as .Jr Paterson, Mr Kemnitz'(Deputy Mayor of Roslyn) then handed Mr Paterson a gold watch aud chain from th© residents of ."Watoiri. Tho watch bears the following inscription: " A token of appreciation to William Aird Paterson from the residents of tho Wakari School district on his resigning after a period of 25 years' service." It gave him (Mr Kemnitz) great pleasure to band this memento to Mr Paterson, whom ho had known longer than anyone eiso present. One thing that be had noted when he attended, r.s he often did, an annual breakup of tho school was the wonderful control | Mr Paterson seemed to havo over the children, j and the confidence and trust manifested by | them iu him.—^The guest of the evening briefly j replied, and said that he would value tho handsome and useful gift, not merely for lis intrinsic value, but as a token of sincere regard to himself, and of the generosity of the kind friends who had combined to do him so much honour, and bccausc it would remind him of those who had spent their time, their substance, and their labour to encourage tho teacher and promote tho welfare of the school. An illuminated address was next handed to Mr Paterson by Mr Walter Wright on behalf of the ex-scholars of the school. It read as follows:—"Dear Sir,—Tho ex-pupils of the Wakari School take this opportunity of expressing to you their high appreciation of the services you have rendered to the district in your capacity as head master of tho school. They can testify to the excellence of the teaching they have received, and that in the enthusiastic execution of your duties you have ever shown yourself sympathetic and considerate to all under your care. Your high rioral influence has been felt by all who came in contact with you, and, not least, by your pupils. The exscholars trust that both you nnd Mrs Paterson, who have done so much noble service here, and who havo worked so unremittingly for the benefit of the Wakari School during tho past 25 years, be long snared to continue your usefulness.—Signed on behalf nf the exscholars." In thanking the cx-pumls, Mr Patorson snid he highly appreciated the beautiful gift made to him, and said he would value it greatly, and that he would cherish it and hand it down as an heirloom to his family. Mr James Torrance, in a complimentary speech, presented Mrs Paterson, on behalf of the district, with a tea and cofTce service. In replying on her behalf. Mr Paterson said that ho was much indebted to his wife for her advice and assistance, that the truo friends of a man honoured his wife, that he appreciated tho delicate and graceful attention uaid to hor, and thanked them heartily for their handsome present. The Rev. Mr Sutherland, on behalf of the district, presented Miss Paterson with a gold brooch, and, at her request, returned thanks for her. Mr Coupar then handed Mr Paterson a writing-case from members of the school committee, and from a grateful parent a ense containing a silk handkerchief, which were accepted find appropriately acknowledged. RefrMhraontg were supplied by the Indies, and musical items and recitations were contributed, a'fter which there was a dance. The music was fiuonh'od by Mr ,Tohn Sullivan, assisted by Mr Chisholm with his bagpipes. •