PRESENTATIONS TO MR M. GEDDES

Southland Times, Issue 23781, 31 March 1939, Page 4

PRESENTATIONS TO MR M. GEDDES

FUNCTION AT SOUTH HILLEND Mr Murray Geddes, who has been teacher at the South Hillend school for the past two years and was recently appointed director of the Carter Observatory at Wellington, was honoured at a social given by residents of South Hillend yesterday afternoon. There was a big attendance. Mr R. Gordon, chairman of the School Committee, presided and also present were Mr J. Hargest, MP., for Awarua, and Mr W. Bell, both representing the Southland Education Board. Part of the function included a programme by the school children assisted by Miss Jean Plunket . / On behalf of the residents of the district Mr Geddes was presented with a gold wristlet watch and a quantity of stationery by Mr Gordon, who wished him success in his new appointment. Mrs W. J. Langford, president of the South Hillend branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union, presented Mr Geddes with a pocket wallet. She stated that he -had 'audited the books of the branch during the past two years. She expressed regret at his departure and congratulated him on his new position. Mr Bell referred to Mr Geddes’s excellent qualifications as a teacher and expressed regret that the Education Board was losing his services. Mr Bell stated that the verse speaking given by the pupils during the afternoon was equal to anything he had heard. He said that although Mr Geddes liked looking at the stars he had not neglected his school, and the grounds were a credit to the district and the teacher. He offered him the congratulations of the' Education Board in his appointment and hoped he would be happy in his new position. Pleasure at being present was expressed by Mr Hargest, who thanked the committee for the opportunity given him to do honour to Mr Geddes. He felt quite sure that the people of the district would be sorry to lose him. Mr Geddes’s career as a teacher had been an unduly bright one and this wonk 1 shine in the reflected glory of his appointment, said Mr Hargest. He was quite sure that the guest would give distinguished service in his new position. He also paid a tribute to the voice speaking of the children and the splendid programme presented. Mr Geddes said in rejUy that he was speaking with feelings of considerable sadness. He had spent two very happy years in the district. In any school, he said, it was a great thing to have a good committee, as work done by a teacher might be spoilt by an unsympathetic committee. He complimented the South Hillend School Committee on the manner in which it always assisted the teacher and made special reference to the chairman. Acknowledging the presentations, he said he had receievd far more than he deserved. He complimented the children on their work and said that in the South Hillend district there was a very high standard of intelligence. He was sorry to leave the teaching profession as he had enjoyed his ten years’ service and he was particularly sorry to leave South Hillend. Members of the Duneam Tennis Club met at Mr J. Plunket’s residence to bid farewell to Mr Geddes, who was the captain of the club. A presentation of a chromium-plated ■wristlet watch was made to Mr Geddes by the president, Mr R. Gibb. Twentyfive members were present. At the periodical meeting of' teachers of the Central District 'schools held at Winton, Mr W. J. Bennett, rector of the Winton District High School, referred to the impending departure of Mr Geddes and said that he had entered very heartily into all school activities in the district and had taken a keen interest in the welfare of his pupils. Those present extended their good wishes for the success of Mr Geddes in his new sphere. In reply Mr Geddes gave an outline of the field of work that lay before him and of the possible developments that mieht be kept in view. There was an attendance of more than 30 teachers rpnrosentine 14 schools.