PRESENTATIONS TO MB D. BRENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 73

PRESENTATIONS TO MB D. BRENT.

At the Otago Boys' High School on WcC neaday morning Mr O. Brent, M.A-, ■\vhcconnection with the school has been severe., was the recipient of presentations made o behalf of the teaching staff and the pupil The Rector (Mr A. Wilson), on behalf (. the staff, presented him with an annchaii and T. D. Adams, representing the pupil: presented him with a- writing desk; while the Sixth Form boys also gave him a caiof pipes. The Rector, in making the teachers' presentation, said : I have called the boys together because they have intimated to me that they desired the opportunity of ex : pressing their kind feeling to Mr Brent, and their regret that the time has come when he severs bis connection with them and with the school. I shall invite the boys presently tc express their own sentimeats, and to present the gift which they desire Mr Brent to accept and to regard as a mark of their esteem and goodwill. But first, on behalf of my colleagues and myself, I should like briefly to express how much we regret this severance of a long association with a fellowmaster whom we have every reason to regard with feelings of esteem and affection. Mr Brent is now in the fortieth year of his service to this schooL He was present when the school was opened in 1863, and has been able to watch its varied, -history from that time to the present. YouyWiU not find, .on this side 6f the world or the other, many teachers who have given 40 years'" faithful service to one school. Even those of us who have been longest connected with the school know it only as associated with Mr Brent — a pleasant association, characterised by the most cordial relations between Mr Brent and every member of the staff. As rector, I have personally to express my grateful sense of Mr Brent's unfailing courtesy, obliging kindness, and invariable readiness to Tender any help or service in his power. On. behalf of the staff, I ask Mr Brent to accept this gift of a chair. It is a very comfortable chair, as anyone may prove by trying it, and we all hope that Mr Brent will be able to take his ease in it for very many years to coma. Mr T. D. Pearce, as an old pupil of Mr Brent's, expressed his regret at parting with Mr Brent. He had sat as a pupil under him, and for nine years had been his colleague on the ataff, and he could bear testimony to Mr Brent's unfailing kindness and consideration. The Old Boys of the school always associated Mr Brent's name with the school, and he had invariably found, when talking of the school with. Old Boys, that the same question was asked, "How is Mr Brent?" He trusted that Mr Brent would be spared to enjoy many years of happiness.

T. D. Adams, last year's dux, In presenting Mr Breut with tha writing desk, said it was quite unnecessary to say that all the pupils were sorry at the parting, as Mr Brent had always been a genial and sympathetic master, and had been deservedly popular with all. In addition frcr the ordinary routine work, he had* taken an active part in cycling matters, and during the existence of the Cycling Club he was its president, and was in regular attendance at the runs. Within school hours the influence, exercised by Mr Brent had been of the highest importance, both mentally and morally. They felt thafc they could not let Mr Brent depart without giving some token of their esteem, and he asked his acceptance of the writing de3fc as a reminder of the many pleasant and profitable hours the pupils had spent in bis room.

Mr Brent thanked the staff and the boys for their very handsome presents, which he valued all the more aa Indicating the goodwill and good felling existing, between himsslf and the staff and boys of the school. It seemed to him a great wrench to leave the school. He had seen it in its babyhood, and now it was nourisninf? with boys who were holding their own with those in any school in England. The school had a tradition; and the boys should try and prove themselves worthy of that tradition. He looked on many of them not as his children, but as his grand-chiWren, because he had at one time taught their fathers. He concluded by Baying, " Whatever you do. whether it i-s work or play, So it with all your might." He thought he was fairly justified in asking the rector to give them a holiday in his honour some day next term.

On the call of Adams, three ringing cheers wore given for Mr Brent, and the Rector informed the school that lie would have tha greatest pleasure in granting Mr Brent's request.