THIRTY YEARS’ SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 11

THIRTY YEARS’ SERVICE

RECORD OF A TEACHER FAREWELL TO MISS MYNOTT. INFLUENCE ON YOUNG PEOPLE. To have devoted over thirty years of her life as an infant mistress, during the whole of which time she has well and faithfully fulfilled her trust, in not only teaching the young material the rudiments of education, hut in influencing for good and moulding the character of the future citizens of New Plymouth, is the proud record that Miss Mynott can look back on. Miss Mynott has just retired from the position of infant mistress at the West End School, and last night she was accorded a farewell social in the Kawaroa Park bungalow, when a very large attendance of parents and old pupils and those who had been associated with the school, assembled to do her honour. Mr. 8. G. Smith presided, and there were associated with him on the platform Messrs. J. Hawker (chairman of the West End School Committee) and C. E. Bellringer, M.P., whilst those present included Mrs. Dowling, formerly headmistress of the school for nineteen years, Messrs. H. Dempsey (Education Board), McKenzie (senior inspector), E. Bary (headmaster of the Eltham School), as well as ex-teachers, committeemen, and ex-committeemen. Apologies were received from Miss Lydia Shaw, the first headmistress of the school, Miss D. N. Allen (principal of the Girls’ High School), Messrs. F. E. Wilson (Mayor),« W. H. Moyes, A. L. Moore, C. H. Moore,* J. A. Valentine, D. P. Evans and W. Wagstaff. The chairman, in making the presentation, said he had been set one of the hardest tasks he ever had to perform. Krom his perusal of the official reports, he knew how highly Miss Mynott’s services were esteemed by the educational authorities throughout all the years, and he knew from their presence there that evening the love and respect the parents of the district bore for her. One had only to look back and consider the thousands of little children who had passed through her hands, who were occupying responsible positions in society to-day, to realise to some extent the influence of her teaching, for, he said, the principal of the Girls’ High School’ Boys’ High School and Technical College would find their work much more difficult were it not for the good grounding the pupils received in the primer classes. BOARD’S APPRECIATION. Miss Mynott was a member of a Taranaki family, and one of her brothers, the late H. J. Mynott, had made the name of Taranaki famous on the football fields of New Zealand, Australia and England, whilst Miss Mynott had made the name famous as a teacher throughout Taranaki and New Zealand. On behalf of the Education Board he expressed appreciation of her splendid services and regret at her severance, for whilst she had been loyal to her school and the children, she had also been so to the board. Mr, Smith then asked Miss Mynott to accept, as a token of regard from old pupils, parents and friends a number of presents, comprising a gold wristlet watch suitably inscribed, a handsome travelling rug, a xylonite dressing table set and a cheque. In doing so he expressed the hope that she might long enjoy the rest she had so thoroughly earned after a long period of faithful service. (Applause.) Mr. Bellringer stressed the point that the real secret of the success of Miss Mynott’s work was the life and character that Jay behind the work. All effective work required to have behind it character that was real and life that was true. There were no keener critics than young children. They were able to influence them by education, but were also able by character to influence their character and conception of life. There were numbers of men and women who owed a great deal not only to the teaching, but to the life and the influence of the character of Miss Mynott, an influence that had the effect of building up their character. Effective work, however, had its own reward, and Miss Mynott must feel within herself that she had striven faithfully to do her duty and that it had been recognised by others. She had had arduous and strenuous work, and he wished her many years of rest and happiness in the retirement she had so well earned. Mr. J. Hawker, chairman of the school committee, said that Miss Mynott had put up a great record in having charge of the infant department for the past thirty years. He doubted very much if any other infant mistress had sueh a record. Miss Mynott had earned her years of retirement nobly, and he hoped that she would be long spared to enjoy them. Mr. J. H. Thomas, headmaster of the school, said Miss Mynott had high ideals and she carried those out faithfully. He recognised from his association with Miss Mynott what a solid and conscientious worker she was, not seeking the limelight. On !>ehalf of the teachers and pupils he wished Miss Mynott long life and happiness to enjoy the well deserved rest.

HIGH CHRISTIAN IDEALS. Mrs. Dowling, who had worked with Miss Mynott for nineteen years, referred to the pleasant relations that had existed between them during the whole time. Miss Mynott had high Christian ideals, which she had tried to instil into her pupils, and she believed had made good. Miss Mynott bad tried to keep up with rhe new methods, but did not forget the good that was in the old. Mr. Mclsaac, on behalf of the old pupils, also added his tribute, remarking that both inside and outside the school, Miss Mynott’s life had been an example to them all. Mr. H. Dempsey, representing the Education Board, stated that when Miss Mynott started teaching first under him ho was struck by her cheerfulness, kindly disposition, reliability, keen sense of duty and interest in the children under her. He was sure that many things that Miss Mynott find impressed in the children would stick. Though Miss Mynott was retiring from the profession. he expressed the hope that she would not retire from New Plymouth, where she hod hosts of friends. Miss Mynott, who was greeted with musical honours, said it was utterly impossible for her to express her gratitude at the wonderful generosity bestowed upon her in the gifts and flattering remarks, which she felt .-be had little deserved. She expressed her thanks to the ladies’ committee, the teachers, parents and okl: pupils, who had arranged the functfmg She started teaching for two years tipder Mr. H, Dempsey, then at

the West End, her head teachers had been in succession Miss Shaw and Mrs. Dowling, than whom no one had done more for the lady teachers in Taranaki, Mr. D. P. Evans,' Mr. Rountree and Mr. J. H. Thomas, who was an ideal head teacher. When she joined West End the school consisted of two rooms with 100 pupils up to standard 2, and with a staff of three. It now consisted of eight or nine rooms, with a staff of 14 and an attendance of 460. As the school increased, so the playing area decreased. At one time the roll number was over 600 and the staff 20. Miss Mynott could remember the names of at least 100 teachers'that had passed through the school during her term, some from Canada and some from various parts of Australia. She expressed her thanks to the mothers, who had shown her a great deal of kindness and consideration and had made allowances. A most enjoyable musical programme was rendered, items being contributed as follows: Song, Mr. A. B. Macdonald; recitation, Mrs. N. Hill; song, Miss Lunam (encored); song, J. Quin (encored); song, Mr. Baird (encored); quartette, The Melody Four (encored); song, Mrs. A. B. Macdonald (encored); duet, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Macdonald; song, Mr. Baird (encored). Miss Greenwood and Mr. P. A. Fredric played the accompaniments.