VALEDICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 21092, 26 May 1930, Page 4

VALEDICTORY

TEACHER FAREWELLED . KNAPDALE FUNCTION. ’The Knapdale Hall was packed on Friday evening when a farewell social was extended to Mr and Mrs R. N. Fraser. Mr Fraser was for a number of years head teacher at the Knapdale School, and recently resigned. Many tributes were paid to his ability as a teacher and to the many sterling qualities which had endeared both Mr and Mrs Fraser to the people of the district. Mr W. H. Millar remarked that the excellent attendance was ample evidence of the high esteem in which Mr and Mrs Fraser were held by the people of Knapdale. He had known Mr Fraser for many years, and had always found him honest and upright in his dealings. He was a good companion, a good friend, and took a keen interest in the activities of people in the district. Mr and Mrs Fraser’s departure from Knapdale was a big loss, but he wished them every success in the future.

“I have known Mr Fraser ever since he was a boy,” said Mr J. S. Graham. He was an upright man, a splendid teacher, and one of whom any district might well be proud, guiding the young and extending sound advise to the older pupils. He wished Mr and Mrs Fraser the best of good luck in whatever avenue of life they might follow. Mr G. P. Cross said that Mr Fraser was the life and soul of any gathering in which he participated. Residents of Knapdale would be glad to welcome him back among them. On behalf of teachers in Eastern Southland, Mr J. McK. Miller conveyed to" Mr and Mrs Fraser their best wishes for a prosperous future. Mr Fraser had been a very enthusiastic member of the Educational Institute, and a very willing worker. His keen sense of humour had brightened many a gathering. “There is always a tinge of sadness in giving up _ one’s life work,” said Mr Miller. Children made a big appeal to the average teacher, and he felt sure Mr Fraser was experiencing that tinge of sadness at leaving them. He took the opportunity of welcoming Mr W. R. Brash, who was taking charge of the Knapdale School. Further appreciation was expressed by Mr J. Lenihan, headmaster of the East Gore School, and Mr A. Cruickshank. Mr R. Tutty, on behalf of the residents of Knapdale, then stated that an oak bedroom suite would be forwarded to Mr and Mrs Fraser as a token of the esteem in which they were held. On behalf of the Knapdale Tennis Club, Mr D. Miller presented Mr Fraser with an initialled handbag in recognition of the great assistance he had rendered to the club. In returning his sincere thanks for the gifts and the kind remarks passed by the people of Knapdale to his wife and himself, Mr Fraser said that their departure from the district was compensated for by the many pleasant memories they would be taking away with them. He paid a tribute to the work of the infant mistress Miss Young; to her predecessor, Miss Jelly; and to the members of the School Committee, in particular Mr Tutty. The company then joined in the singing of “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” During the evening vocal, instrumental and elocutionary items were contributed by Ruth Dodds, Daisy Cross, Mrs G. Gerken, Miss Young, Messrs A. Fergie, Cruickshank, J. McK. Miller, A. Dodds, J. Gerken, Bellew, Tennis Club members and the school children. A happy evening concluded with dancing.