VALEDICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 20527, 2 July 1928, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

FUNCTION AT MOTO RIMU. POPULAR SCHOOLMASTER FAREWELLED. A pleasant function took place in the Motu Rimu School on Friday evening when the residents of Moto Rimu and Woodend districts met to bid farewell to Mr George Coniand, the popular schoolmaster who has been sole teacher at Moto Rimu for the past two years, and who is leaving to take up a position at the South School. The function, which took the form of a social and dance, was a pronounced success, over 80 people turning out despite the inclement weather. Instrumental items and songs kept the audience in good humour between dances and after a splendid supper the chairman, Mr Bates, announced the object of the gathering which was to bid farewell to Mr G. Coniand. In presenting him with a travelling rug and bag, he stressed the happy relations that had always existed between Mr Coniand and the residents of the district, and expressed his regret that their popular teacher was leaving the district. However, he hoped to see him back with them once again, when the consolidation scheme came into force.

Mrs Duston spoke along similar lines and expressed the hope that Mr Coniand would always remember his friends at Moto Rimu.

Mr Coniand suitably replied, stating that he had enjoyed his term of office in the district, and thanking all those who had co-operated with him and made his work easier.

Dancing was then resumed and continued till 2 o’clock in the morning, Mr Bates as M.C. performing his duties in an efficient manner, the music for the evening being supplied by Mrs Saunders (piano), Misses N. McCallum (piano), E. McCallum (violin), Creamer (piano), Saunders (piano), Messrs Hilton (concertina), and Edge (flute). On Thursday afternoon the pupils of the school took the opportunity to express their regret at Mr Conland’s departure, and Master G. Murdoch on behalf of the school children, asked Mr Coniand to accept a box of handkerchiefs as a token of the esteem in which he was held by his pupils. Mrs Saunders, who was present, also spoke, referring to Mr Conland’s popularity in the school and throughout the district, and expressed the hope that he would return to them when the consolidation of schools was completed. Mr Coniand suit ably responded.