NGAIRE NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 21, 22 May 1912, Page 5

NGAIRE NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) On Thursday last an exceedingly pleasant and interesting little function took place in the local school, where Mr. T. E. Coleman was presented by the residents of Ngacre with a- beautiful marble clock, as a tangible recognition" of his services on tiie School Committee, of which body he was a conspicuous member for twenty-live years, during the last twelve years of which period he acted in the capacity of chairman. Air. Coleman did not accept nomination at the last householders’ meeting. A lovely

silver-plated afternoon tea tray, and in addition a fountain pen, were also presented to Airs. Coleman. The ceremony took place in the presence of a large gathering of parents and scholars.

Mr. H. Jones, chairman of the new committee, presided, and opened the proceedings in a brief speech, at the conclusion of which he expressed the hope that another election would see Mr. Coleman again occupying his old position. He then called upon Mr. A. N. Sims, Headmaster of the Ngaere School, to say a few words. Mr. Sims, in the course of his utterances on behalf of the staff, made reference to the cordial relations that had always existed between the teachers and the late chairman, a state of affairs conducive to the better working of any school. He also desired to thank Air. Coleman for the unfailing courtesy that had always been extended to them, and for the ready response they had met with when requisitioning anything in connection with the school. The unobtrusive way in which Mr. Coleman carried out Ids duties, lit said, made tilings easy for everyone. Mr. Sims concluded his remarks In saying that it was a source of much pleasure to him, the hearty manner in which the proposal to make the presentation had been supported. Mr. K. Tarrant was the next speak-, or, and his humorous remarks in the opening part of his speech wore greatly enjoyed by the listeners. As an old mom hey of the committee, he testified to the large amount' of work Mr. Coleman had performed cheerfully and with ability whilst a member. Mir. Jones then asked Mr. R. Masters, a member of the Taranaki Education Board, who was present by request, to make the presentation, Ai the outset Mr. Masters said that it afforded him infinite pleasure to h< present on such an occasion, especially as Mr. Coleman was a personal friend of Ids, and further, that ho had a warm attachment for Ngaere, as hir first home in Taranaki was on the Chcal Road. Air, Masters then spok< of the high esteem in which Mr. Coleman is held by all sections of the community, and eulogised the many admirable qualities of the guest of that day. He trusted that Mr. Coleman would always take the same keen interest in educational matters in tin future that be had done in the past. A" the close of his interesting speech Mr. Masters handed to Mr. and Mrs. Coleman their respective presents. The recipient then rose, and warmly thanked all* for the generous spirit that had prompted them to bestow up>n himself apd.lps wife such magnificent . gifts. Mr. Coleman said that he had always endeavoured to do his, boa! in, the-interests of the school, but. as lie pointed I ‘out*, ihe powers of syh’ool .■onfcmjtceps are not ! very extensive. He wished to thank committeemen and die public for the loyal support and ■o-operation ho had invariably roceiv h! in any project on hand for the adhirtcem'ent of the school. On resuming h's seat Air. Coleman was loudly ipplauded. Hounds of applause were then-call-’d for the new committee, and also foi Vfr. Masters for his attendance, which vrro heartily responded, to. Those pro sent then participated in afternoon ;ca, kindly dispensed by the ladies, ifteri which the gathering dispersed. The oncjife party and dance held icdm Nga : ro hall oil Friday night, miher the auspices of the Ngaire danc ’pmmittee was, considering the unhrbpitions state of the, weather, ven successful. Miss E. Callaghan succeed’d in annexing the ladies’ prize, a pretty (lower bowl, while in the gen Yemen’s competit'on Air. A. Fever jiist secured the award, a fine timbrel la, in a play off with Mr. I*. Callaghan. A pleasant feature of the evening, and i source of gratification to the committee, was the number of elderly pco pie who turned out by way of encouraging their efforts.