PRESENTATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1582, 17 May 1887, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

A very pleasing ceremony took place at the Geraidirfe Public Sohool yesterday morning. Mr A. Erskine, who has been connected with the school for tinny years, first as a pupil and afterwards as a teacher, and who has just resigned the position of second master in order to accept a similar position in the Mastertoo Sohool, was presented wirh a souvenir of bis connection with the aohool and resir dence in Qeraldme.

As soon as the school had assembled the Head Master, Mr Aitken, who made the presentation, addressed the children. He said he had a very pleasant duty to perform that morning, but the pleasure wag a little damped by something painful that was to follow, They probably all knew that their friend, and in some cases their schoolfellow, Mr Erskine, was with them that morning fpr the last time, He had been in the school as schoolboy, pupil toucher, and lately as assistant master. In going away he was bettering his position very much. They did not grudge him his success, however sorry they might be to part with him, and however great a g"P luigi.t bs made in the Bchool by his abnence. They wished him well, t»nd would be very glad to see him back again ip Geraldine whenever that might be. They (the scholars) and their parents, with his other friends, bad wished to give him a memento of Geraldine, aad had obtained one in the form of an album, io which he had not the slightest doubt Mr Erskine would be glad to have their photographs if they had any they could spare, so that when ha looked at the album and their photos it would, the speaker hoped, remind him with pleasure pf the time be had spent in Geraldine. In addition to the album they had also pjrehaaed several volumes of Eoglisli poems, which were what are known an the Canterbury Edition of these poema. Mr Erskine would thus have a double reminder of the Canterbury dts-Hct, where he had lived so long. Mr Aitken then presentftd Mr i Erskine with a hs»nd|oinelyr ' bound and beautifnlly-ilubtrated " Historical Album," and ten volumes of the pocket edition of the English and Scotch Poets, as a token of the goodwill and esteem of his pupils and Mends in Geraldine,

MrErsldne, who was evidently deeply moved by this expression of goodwill, said he. thanked them all very much for their very handsome and useful gift, It had come upon him quite unexpectedly. He had never received a hint that subh a presentation had been intended, and they must excuse him if he could not express his feelings as lie wished, They might perhaps be able to imagine his feelipga, »* he did not know till he came into the school that morning, and saw the present there, that such a thing was intended, With regard to what he had done in the school, he hud ulways tried to do his duly, although he might not always Dave succoeded. He was sure if any other ptrson had been in his position he would have tried to do his duty also. He was glad while leaving Gkraldjue to be carrying away such an expression of their esteem and goodwill. Be abouild always priae the presentß be

had recaivvd, not only on account of their mooet ry value, but because they would remind' him of his stay in Geraldine. He had been there now for about thirteen yearß, and the presents he had received that day would alwuys remind him of the m»ny and kind friends he had left heliinc him. Speaking to the children, he supposed they nil knew that Mr Smith was to take his plaee in the school. He hoped they would always try and do their beet for him and be cheerful and smart in their work. They would then always gat on well together. Fie reminded them that all they did in school was a preparation for their after life, and the habits they then formed would stick t» them all through life. Their teachers came there every day to see that they formed good habits, and to give them a good education, and it was their (the children's) duty to strive to meet their wishes in every way they could. He thanked them again very much for the handsome and valuable present they had given him. Mr Erskine concluded amidst deafening applause. He then stated that as he ivmild be going away the following day he would wish them " Good-bye." The album wai suitably inscribed with the words " A parting gift to Mr Albert Erskine, from his pupils. aad friends. Geral dine, May, 1887 " At the conclusion of the ceremony the ordinary ront ; oe of the school was gone on with.