FORTROSE NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21911, 12 January 1933, Page 3

FORTROSE NOTES

FAREWELL TO MR AND MRS WHITTINGHAM. (From Our Correspondent.) A most enjoyable evening was spent in the local hall here where the inhabitants of the district met to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Whittingham, the schoolmaster here for the last two years. Mr T. Golden took the chair and, in his opening remarks, he explained the object of the meeting, to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Whittingham. Dancing was then set going, with Mr J. Sinclair as master of ceremonies. The first dance was led off by Mr and Mrs Golden. Dancing continued till about 10 p.m. when the chairman again took the chair. After eulogizing Mr Whittingham as a most capable teacher, he explained the present educational system. Previously teachers were in one school for long periods. Two teachers had been in the school for 45 years. Now the teachers were promoted to higher schools and Mr Whittingham had been promoted to a much higher school and, although they were sorry to lose him, still they congratulated him. He then called on the Rev. W. H. S. Hine to present a pair of binoculars to Mr Whittingham. The Rev. Hine said he was pleased to do so and it gave him great pleasure, as he had known Mr Whittingham for some time and saw the happy faces in the children running to school which in itself was proof of the reverence in which they held their master. Mrs W. Chisholm then presented Mrs Whittingham with a beautiful and useful handbag. Miss Winnie McEwan presented a nice present to little Miss Whittingham. . Mr Cox, schoolmaster at Waimahaka, spoke of his long friendship with Mr Whittingham. Mr J. C. Thomas reiterated what the previous speakers had said and referred to his war and school records. He was followed by equally praiseworthy comments by Messrs W. Chisholm, Harry Anderson, Mr Hurle, sen., and jun., who referred to his interest in football. Mr Whittingham, in his reply, said he rose with mixed feelings, joy and sorrow being intermingled. He did not like exactly the word goodbye and would rather have the old English “God be with us till we meet again. His stay in Fortrose had been _ one glorious day of health and happiness and, although leaving the district, he would be amongst them again. Teachers were birds of passage, moving hither and thither, and one never knew where it would end, but as in the war they had the consolation it would end sometime. He thanked the school committee for their help and stated he would certainly never come across a better one to work with. He extended a hearty invitation to all to look him up in his vicinity. Dancing was then resumed till supper was served. Auld Lang Syne was sung and a very happy evening was brought to a close. A message ot apology was sent by the Rev. Mr Evans for his inability to attend.