LEPPERTON’S FAREWELL

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1934, Page 7

LEPPERTON’S FAREWELL

POPULAR TEACHER LEAVES.

TRIBUTES TO MISS J. COMBS.

At the farewell to Miss J. Combs, teacher at the Lepperton school, on Friday night the evening was mainly devoted to dancing, Mrs. Gordon Hall providing the music. Messrs. R. Paul and G. Cloke were masters of ceremony. Extras were played by Messrs. B. Wells, B. Anderson and C. Williamson. Items interspersed between the dances added to the enjoyment. Those who contributed to the programme were: Pianoforte duet, Mrs. A., Roberts and Miss Pearl Roberts; song, Mrs. R. Staples; humorous monologue, Miss Betty Aylward; Spanish dance, Miss Merle Jennins. All were encored. Miss Jennins was. accompaniste. - Mr. F. T. Crowe* chairman of the hall committee and secretary of the school committee, apologised for the absence of Mr. H. W. Insull (secretary to the Taranaki Education Board), Mr. A. Bain (senior inspector) and Mr. J. D. Aitken (headmaster, Bell Block). It was hard, he said, to find words to express his feelings in saying farewell to one whose departure from the district they regretted very much. Miss Combs during the three years she had been in the district had been a splendid teacher, a' great worker, and a “good sport.” The reports received from the Education Board showed she was a good teacher, while she had proved a worker in all school affairs. She was loved by her own pupils and held in high esteem by the other scholars, her fellow teachers and the . committee, all of whom deeply regretted her departure. The committee had been indebted to her for valuable assistance willingly given. As an organiser and worker for gatherings held in the district Miss Combs had been outstanding. She had been responsible for establishing both basketball and ‘badminton at Lepperton, besides being to the fore in other sports. On behalf of the residents of the district he presented Miss Combs with a crystal electric reading lamp and a crystal vase. Mrs. A. Thomas, president of the basketball club, referred to the active part Miss Combs had taken both in founding the club and in playing the game. She had proved a true sport. She presented Miss Combs on behalf of the club with half a dozen crystal glasses.

Mr. A. Rogers, secretary of the badminton club, read a letter from Mr. J. E. Bigelow,- headmaster of the school, apologising for his absence and expressing his appreciation of the help Miss Combs had given him during the two years he had been headmaster. Mr. Rogers said Miss Combs had convened the first meeting of the badminton club, which had proved' a valuable social asset in bringing the young people together. She had been an excellent member of the committee as well as a good player, and on behalf of the club he presented her with a crystal rose bowl and a crystal sweet dish. On behalf of the hall committee Mr. Crowe expressed, appreciation of the help Miss Combs had given and the great interest she had taken in the affairs of the hall. He presented her with two floor rugs. Miss Combs, who was greeted with musical honours, said she had no words to express thanks for the gifts, which she felt she had done nothing to deserve. She had herself derived pleasure from her activities in basketball, badminton and other sports. She had been very happy at Lepperton, where she had made many friends. She had hesitated before deciding to make a change, but the fact that she was going home proved the deciding factor.

During the afternoon Miss Combs was met by the school children, on whose behalf Edna Oliver presented her with a book and Donald Hall presented her with a bouquet. Miss Combs will leave to-day for Wellington.