VALEDICTORY AT AWAMOKO

Otago Witness, Issue 3414, 20 August 1919, Page 46

VALEDICTORY AT AWAMOKO

The residents of the Awamoko and Georgetown districts attended "en masse" a gathering in the Awamoko Publio Hail in honour of •Mr and Mrs W. G. Burns and family. For seven years Mr Burns has been head teacher of the Awamoko School, and the recent news of his promotion to the position of first assistant at tha Mornington School, Dunedin, was received with mingled feelings—general expressions of regret at his departure and at the same time congratulations upon a well-deserved promotion. The hall was crowded by on© of the largest audiences ever seen in the district, affording a. remarkable testimony to the very high esteem in which Mr and Mrs Burns were held. Mr J. A. Macpherson, who occupied the chair, referred in eulogistic terms to the excellent work that had been done by Mr Burns. The Rev. G. W. Hunt, minister of the parish, referred to Mr Burns's work amoniy them from the patriotic, religious, and edu* cational standpoints. In the course of th? evening Mr and Mrs Burns were the recipients of presentations from the pupils and residents, the lastmentioned giving as their gift a well-filled purse. Mr John King (chairman of the' School Committee) made the presentation, and in the course of his remarks recounted some of the improvements made in the school during Mr Burns's term of -office. Special^mention was made of the. adornment of the walls of each schoolroom by beautiful pictures, of the % establishment of an excellent library, and of the institution of a school garden that reflected the greatest credit upon teacher and pupils. The chairman also referred to the ex-pupils who, a short time ago, tendered Mr and Mrs Burns a social and made them suitable presentations. Mr and Mrs Burns carry with them the best wishes of a wide circle of friends.