MR S. M. PARK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 34

MR S. M. PARK.

HONOURED BY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE. For the past 50 years Mr S. M. Park has served the Otago Education Board, for many years as its secretary, and now that he has entered upon his period ot retirement many functions are being held to mark appreciation of his services and the esteem in which he is held. Practically every teacher now in the board s service has had experience of his kindness and courtesy at one time or another, and it was inevitable that the teachers social in his honour should be a very hearty and largely attended function. 1 his fathering under the auspices of the Gtago Iducational Institute took place at the teachers’ club room, Moray place, on r riday last. Mr T. R. W. Coutts presided, as president of the institute, and among those present was Mr J. Wallace, chairman of the Otago Education Board. r The Chairman, in making to the guest oi the evening the presentation of a wallet of notes, referred to his first meeting with Mr Park, and assured them that Mr Para was a big man in every sense of the word. By his courtesy and urbanity, his level-headedness and open-mindedness he had earned the very high regard of the teachers of Otago. There could not have been a better secretary. He had at all times been a friend and as far as his position would allow, a champion of the teachers. Ho had at all times been most approachable, and everyone got a courteous and patient hearing from him. He had been deputed by the teachers of Otago to express their extreme regret that they had to part officially from him. They rejoiced that •ho was able to retire in the enjoyment of full bodily health and youth of spirit, and they wished to assure him of t..eir abiding affection. He handed him the purro of notes with which he and Mrs Park might secure some lasting token ot their esteem-and affection. All joined m singing “For he’s a jolly good fellow. Mr J. M’Kinnon, president of the Dunedin sub-branch of the institute, spoke on behalf of Dunedin teachers, ,and conveyed to Mr and Mrs Park the best wishes of the teachers. He referred to the great growth of the activities of the Otago Education Board and said Mr Park was to be congratulated on keeping his youthful appearance so long. He trusted that for Mr Park the best was yet to come Mr J. Ironside, rector of the Palmerstou District High School, spoke on behalf of the country teachers, and voiced thejg regards and kindly feelings towards Mr Park. He had truly been a friend to the teachers, and they would feel his absence for a long time to come. Mr Park, in responding, said that his good friends had been most profuse and generous in their expressions of appreciation, and ho found himself for the sixth time endeavouring to return thanks. His case was distinctly reminiscent of Sir riarrjr Lauder’s recurrent “last appearances. That was not to say he was not deeply sensible of the honour they had done him on that occasion. He indulged in some reminiscences of his first association with the Otago Education Board when he secured the position of office-boy on January 7, 1875. At that time educational affairs were controlled by the Provincial Council. There were four schools in Dunedin, and a headmaster’s salary ranged from £350 to £3BO with house or house allowance. The mistresses received from £l5O to £l9O. The provinical districts were abolished in 187 b, and provision was made for the election of education boards. He outlined other important events in the history of education while he had been associated with it. During his service he had endeavoured to be as just and impartial as his nature would allow, and to lend a sympathetic ear to all appeals. It was most grateful to him to receive the many expressions of appreciation that they had listened to that night, and most of all he prised to hear that he had retained the affection of the teachers. During the evening a musical programme that was much appreciated was contributed.