A POPULAR HEADMASTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 75

A POPULAR HEADMASTER.

MR J. A. FITZGERALD RETIRES. Maori Hill School has been in existence for 20 years, and during that time it has known only one head master —Mr J. A. Fitzgerald. And now it is to know another. Mr Fitzgerald has resigned after two decades of valuable work in this school. By those who passed through the Maori Hill School his influence and example will be remembered for many years to come, for he has earned the affection and esteem of all those who knew him. Proof of this was given by the large attendance of residents of the suburb who attended the farewell social given to Mr Fitzgerald in the Coronation Hall on Wednesday. It was a wintry night, but the hall was crowded to the doors. Mr P. L. Clark (chairman of the School Committee) presided over the gathering. On behalf of the committee Mr Clark expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large gathering on a night like that. He was glad that the residents had come along, as Mr Fitzgerald deserved the tribute. Mr Clark recalled that it was about 20 years ago that the school was opened—Monday, July 16, 1906, to be precise. At a preliminary meeting of householders Mr Fitzgerald had been appointed head master, and Miss Andrew assistant, and the school opened with a roll of 165. The speaker also welcomed Mr Wilson, the new head master, and added that he was sure he would maintain the high standard set by Mr Fitzgerald. Mr Clark concluded by reading several apologies, including one from the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P.). “We are met here to honour an excellent teacher and an honoured head master,” said Mr T. Paterson, who spoke on behalf of the staff, past and present. “Mr Fitzgerald has endeared himself not only to the pupils and parents but also to those who have been his colleagues in that most important of tasks, the moulding of the lives and characters of our future citizens. I am confident that the imprint of his example will be felt for years to come by all who have come in contact with him, both teachers and pupils.” He concluded by expressing the nope that Mr Fitzgerald would long enjoy health and happiness and the pleasurable recollection of his long association with the pupils and staff of the Maori Hill School. The two speakers on behalf of the expupils were Mrs G. E. Harrison (the first dux of the school) and Mr J. Kinnear. Mrs Harrison remarked on the school’s good fortune in having a gentleman of Mr Fitzgerald’s attainments as head master. Those who had come in contact with him had been impressed by his earnestness, and she was sure she was voicing the feelings of all the old girls when she said that she regretted his retirement. Mr Kinnear’s remarks were invested with a few sparks of humour which in no wise detracted from their sincerity. He said that he was sure that Mr Fitzgerald would enter a period of further usefulness to the community. Mr Kinnear also made appreciative reference to the interest Mr Fitzgerald took in the pupils not only while they were at school, but after they had left as well. “ Who are those people who left as well. The speaker called on all ex-pupils in the hall to rise to their feet, and about three-quarters of the attendance stood up. Mr Kinnear then expressed the hope that Mr Fitzgerald would long be spared to enjoy the retirement which he had so well earned. Speaking for the Maori Hill School Committee, Mr S. N. Brown made passing reference to the early life of the school, and went on to say that Mr Fitzgerald had raised the tone of the whole school and the civility and politeness of the children had been remarked upon by many of those who had some in contact with them. Mr Fitzgerald had taken a keen interest not only in the scholastic affairs of the school, for the physical, moral, and social interests had also been well looked after. All the pupils had been grateful to Mr Fitzgerald for his wise direction while they were at school. It was to be hoped that he would not leave the district, for they would lose a great citizen. Mr Fitzgerald’s successor would undoubtedly feel that it was a hard task to Tollow in the same footsteps, but from what he had heard of Mr Wilson he was sure that he would hold the position worthily. After wishing Mr Fitzgerald every prosperity and good health, Mr Brown presented him with an album containing a photograph of the school, the staff, and the pupils, and endorsed with a testimonial, and with a well-filled wallet. Mrs Fitzgerald also was presented with a silver tea service as a token of the esteem in which she was held by the residents of the district. A thunderous interpretation of *Fo*' They are Jolly Good Fellows” was lo!lowed by three cheers. Professor R. E. Davies spoke on behall of the parents and residents. Two of the first men he met when he came to Dunedin, he said, were on the platform that night. Thev were Mr S. M. Park, who had just retired from the position of secretary of the Education Board, and _Mr J. A. Fitzgerald. “Mr Fitzgerald “comes of good stock,” said Professor Davies. “Before I knew anything of New Zealand I had come to honour and respect the name because' of his uncle, a schoolmaster, and afterwards an honoured and revered Presbyterian minister in New South Wales. I am sure Mr Fitzgerald will be remembered in Otago for many ▼ears to come, and when the educational history of the province comes to be written I am confident that his name will occupy an honoured place.” The speaker said that Mr Fitzgerald possessed the two most important factors in the equipment of a teacher—personality and character. As a parent he thanked him for all ne had done for the children oommitte ’ to his charge; for his kindness, sympathy, and understanding; and for that wk'ch was rare in a headmaster—his personal knowledge of every pupil. he concluded by expressing the hope that he would have a long and pleasant eventide that would be lit up by memories of work well done. Mr James Wallace (chairman of the Otago Education Board) recalled that 50 jean ago there were at least two pupils

in the Moray Place School, which wax then the Normal. One was J. A. Fitzgerald, and the other wag himself. “During those 50 years,” said Mr Wallace, “Mr Fitzgerald has been mv friend, and I want him to hear my personal testimony tr his merits. Tlie board did a wise thing when it instructed Mr Park to write and tell Mr Fitzgerald what it thought of him, for, I can do no more than read that letter. It must have been one of the last official documents signed bv Mr Park as secretary.” Mr Wallace then read the letter, was a warm tribute to Mr Fitzgerald’s work as headmaster of the Maori Hill School. “In joining the ranks of the , unem P lo yed.” Mr Wallace concluded, “I hope Mr Fitzgerald will enjov long life and health, and if he does have a meeting at the Trades Hall 1 hope he will not revile the Education Board.”— (Laughter.) “I can only say that I have striven to do my best for the children and the school, and I hope that I have succeeded in some of my efforts,” Mr Fitzgerald said in the course of his reply. Looking back 20 years, he recalled that he had entered on his work at Maori Hill with a great deal of trepidation. it was a new school, and he had realised what a responsible position it would be. “We started with two rooms,” he said, “while the carpenters were still putting in the desks which had just been varnished. Some of the pupils, I remember, stuck to them. Mr Fitzgerald briefly traced the history of the school, and spoke of the vicissitudes through which it had passed, especially in regard to accommodation. It was in February, 1881, he went on, that he joined the service of the Otago Education Board, and in leaving he would like to pay tribute to those who had so. ably controlled education affairs in Otago. “We have been fortunate in these men,” said Mr Fitzgerald, “who have given their time ungrudgingly for the good of education in this province. And we have also been fortunate in our secretaries—the latp Mr Pryde and Mr Park—(ap*» plause)'—who have given their very best. Then there are our inspectors. We have had men of high ideals, with the interests of pupils and teachers at heart —sympathetic and kindly—men who have helped to give Otago a high place in the educa-t tion centres of New Zealand. Their guid-t ance has been sought on all occasions. The committees who have devoted their time and help in the interests of the school I would also like to thank. They are men of unfailing courtesy and kind-, ness, and I can assure them that we teachers appreciate it.” Mr Fitzgerald also paid a deep tribute to the staff, saying that what success he had met with had been due to his teachers. He had been blessed 'with enthusiastic and loyal teachers, assistants in the best sense of the word. They had not spared themselves. The parents, too, with their help and co-operation and the active in-, terest they had taken in the school he would like to thank. “We know we have the parents behind us,” Mr Fitzgerald said, “and when a teacher knows that it heartens him in his work.” He thanked the ex-pupils as well, adding that he was glad they were still taking a keen interest in the school. He also suggested that the time was now ripe for the formation of an ex-pupils’ association. The school had been in existence 20 years, and it would be a good thing not only for themselves but also in the interests of the school. Me paid a further tribute to those men who had looked after the spiritual welfare of the school. “I am severing my connection,” he concluded, “hut I will always retain happy memories of the school. May it continue to grow and carry on the good work in the district. I would like also to wish Mr Wilson every success. 1 know he will carry things through and make Maori Hill School even better than it has been in the past.” The Chairman then introduced Mr Wilson, who remarked that Mr Fitzgerald’s example was an inspiration to go and*do likewise, if possible. The addresses were interspersed with musical and elocutionary items, all by expupils of the school.

The pupils ard teachers of the Maori Hill School assembled on Wednesday in the Coronation Hail to bid farewell to Mr J A. Fitzgerald. After a few musical items by the school children, one of the pupils, Irma M'Kay, presented Mrs Fitzgerald with a handsome bouquet of flowers. One of the senior girls, Jean Sneddon, then made a neat speech, bidding Mr Fitzgerald farewell, and asking, on behalf of the school children, his acceptance of a gramophone and records. She expressed the hope of the scholars that the gift would remind him of the happy days spent at Maori Hill School, and also thanked him for his deep interest in all his pupils. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was then lustily sung and three cheers given for 'Mr Fitzgerald. » In reply, Mr Fitzgerald thanked the pupils for their handsome gif 6 and assured them that he did not need any gift to keep the scholars of Maori Hill School in memory. He had been proud of every one of the 2009 pupils who had passed through the school. He u r ged them to work well, to be good boys and girls, and to uphold the honour of the school. School days were the best days, . and he wanted them to work bard and to ' play hard. He wanted them to do their bo6t for the teachers and for the new head master. In conclusion, he thanked them for their gift, and in particular for remembering Mrs Fitzgerald. Immediately after the pupils’ function tha teachers, both past and present, took the opportunity of saying farewell to Mr Fitzgerald at an afternoon tea. Mr T. Paterson, on behalf of the past and present teachers, presented Mr Fitzgerald with a handsome gold wristlet watch aB a token of the esteem in which all had held him. He emphasised the fact that all had been benefited by the sympathy, the tact, and the example set by Mr Fitzgerald in all his dealings with tho staff. lie wished both Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald every good wish for the coming years. Similar speeches were made by Messrs Hawke, Webb, Fawcett, and Hanna, each eulogising the ability, the good guidance, and tact of their late bead master Mr Fitzgerald, in reply, thanked the staff for the handsome gift, and was good enough to say that his success in Maori Hill School had been largely due to the capable teaching staff he had had. Ha was thankful hia efforts had been appreciated, and would value the most handsome and useful gift which hs would keep and hand down aa * family heirloom.