A POPULAR HEADMASTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 76

A POPULAR HEADMASTER.

MR J. B. GRANT RETIRES.

Mr J. B. Grant, who has been heetlmaster of the Musselburgh School for eight years and five months, retired on Thursday on superannuation from the service of the Otago Education Board. A very pleasing function took place in the teachers’ room of the school in the morning, when the first assistant (Mr R. Stenhouse), on behalf of the staff, presented Mr Grant with a handsome cabinet of cutlery. In" making the presentation. Mr Stenhouse referred to the excellentrelations which had always existed between Mr Grant and his staff, and expressed the wish that he would be long spared to enjoy his retirement. Miss Bressy referred to the high ideals which had always influenced Mr Grant in his had shown unfailing courtesy, consiiieration, and kindness to his staff, and they were exceedingly sorry to lose him. Messrs J. P. Hawke and A. Woods ex-teachers of the school, were also present to take part in the farewell to Mr Grant, and to pay a tribute to their old headmaster.

Mr Grant made a feeling response, expressing his sense of gratitude for the loyal assistance always given to him by his staff. He also paid a special tribute to the unfailing assistance of the School Committee.

The proceedings closed with the sing ing of “ For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The teachers then proceeded to the school grounds, where the children were assembled. Mr E S. Wilson, a member of the School Committee, said that they were extremely sorry to lose Mr Grant. In hh?i they had an ideal headmaster, and those who came after him would have a high to live up to. They knew that Mr Grant would continue to show a keen interest in the Musselburgh School, and they could imagine him for the next week or so getting ready to start off to commence his teaching duties again.— (Laughter.) He hoped that both Mr and Mrs Grant would be long spared. Messrs G. H. Elliffe, R. Moffatt, and A. Johnson (members of the committee) added their meed of praise respecting the work carried out by Mr Grant. Mr Elliffe stated that the life of Mr Grant as a head teacher was very aptly covered by the following quotation:—“ I shall pass through this world but once. If I can do anything to assist my fellow-beings, let me not neglect it, let me not defer it.” The boys and girls should feel proud, indeed, to be enrolled as pupils of the Musselburgh School.

Master E. S. 'Wilson then presented Mr Grant with a barometer from the upper classes, and Mr Grant was also presented with a reading glass from the lower classes.

Mr Grant, in replying, said he thanked them from his heart, but he required no tangible gifts to keep the children of the Musselburgh School in his memory. The good name possessed by the school had been built up to a large extent by the pupils themselves by their excellent work and their good behaviour. Children owed a great deal to their teachers, who tried to understand each individual temperament and treat it accordingly. Mr Grant pointed out that the average age for the standards at Musselburgh was six months below that of any other school in the Dominion.—(Applause.) The speaker again referred to the loyal support given to him by his teachers and the School Committee, and stated that the parents of the district had always been willing to assist the school. He asked the scholars to make it their object in life to strive for a good name, and then people would trust them and respect them.— (Loud applause.)

Three ringing cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Grant, and the proceedings concluded with the singing of “ For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”