SCHOOL INSPECTORS HONOURED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21829, 16 December 1932, Page 2

SCHOOL INSPECTORS HONOURED

MESSRS BAIN AND PRICHARD Opportunity was taken at the monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board yesterday morning to bid farewell to Mr A. Bain, who, for the past two years, has held the position of acting chief inspector of schools in Otago, and who has now been appointed chief inspector at New Plymouth. The chairman of the board (Mr James Wallace) said that they had now come to the ertd of a companionship which had been profitable to the board, and had been at all times a pleasant one. This was the last occasion on which Mr Bain would sit at the board table as the department’s representative, and he was sure they all hoped that Mr Bain would experience a pleasant sojourn in New Plymouth. During the two years lie had been connected with the Otago Board, Mr Bain had given excellent service. He had always been generous in his findings, and had always been truly just. He bad never lost eight of the department’s viewpoint, and he had used a lot of common sense in all liis work. When he had felt that the board was in the right, Mr Bain had not hesitated to brave his department in order to see fair play. He wished very sincerely to thank Mr Bain for the services he had rendered to the board and he had pleasure in presenting him with a small token of the esteem in which he was held by every board member.

Mr R. 11. Todd, in supporting the chairman’s remarks, said that while they all regretted Mr Bain’s departure, they were none the less sincere in congratulating him upon his new appointment. Many Otago teachers had spoken to him of Mr Bain in the highest terms, and lie hoped that Mr Bain would be appointed senior inspector for Otago in the not too distant future. Messrs D. C. Cameron and W. M. Cooper also spoke. Mr Bain returned thanks, and said that he appreciated the honour done him the more highly because his position here had been only in an acting capacity. All bis 12 years as an inspector had been spent in one district, and be thought that the experience to be gained in another part of the Dominion would probably benefit him. His work here during the past two years, would not have been possible had it not been for the co-operation of the teachers and the readiness of the board at all times to render him such assistance as ho rc- < uired. He paid a tribute to the board’s staff, and said that, as the department’s representative on the board, he wished to compliment the members on the busi-ness-like manner in which the board’s affairs were conducted. ENTERTAINED BY HEADMASTERS.

A very enjoyable function took place in tlie Somerset Lounge on Tuesday afternoon, when members of the Dunedin Headmasters’ Association met the members of the inspectorate to say farewell to Mr A. Bain, who baa been promoted to the position of senior inspector in Taranaki, and to Mr Prichard, who has been transferred to Auckland. Advantage was taken of the occasion to welcome Mr J. A. Moore, who will probably be joining the inspectorate at the beginning of next year.

The president (Mr L. Bradstock) expressed the regret of the headmasters at the departure of Messrs Bain and Prichard, both of whom had proved themselves good friends to the teachers and untiring in their efforts to further the cause of education in Otago. He extended a warm welcome to Mr Moore, expressing the hope that the happy relations which already existed between

teachers and inspectors would be further strengthened by his interest in, and helpful advice to, the teachers, many of whom had already passed through bis hands at the Training College. The departing inspectors thanked thd headmasters for arranging such an enjoyable function and for providing them with an opportunity of meeting members before leaving Dunedin. They expressed regret at leaving the Otago teachers, amongst whom they had found their work particularly enjoyable. Mr Moore also thanked members for their cordial welcome and looked forward with conf.dence to a loyal and willing co-operation between himself and the Otago teachers.