A POPULAR TEACHER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13502, 30 August 1907, Page 4

A POPULAR TEACHER.

MR. G. W. COCKCROFT'S DEPARTURE. ,

The departure from tho Central School of tbo second assistant master, Mr G. W. Cockcroft, who has obtained a better appointment under tho Hawke's Bay Board, was made the occasion of a pleasant littlo function at the Central School gymnasium yesterday afternoon. The girls of the fourth standard, which has been in his charge, entertained the teachers of the school, and the boys of the* standard to after ■ noon tea. The headmaster (Mr l>m]isey) presided. Ihe Chairman oi' tho 'Committee (Mr F. P. Corkill) was also present. After all had partaken ; of the good things provided by .the girls, Mr Dempsey referred to the occasion which had brought them together. He said that, as headmaster, he exceedingly regretted Mr Cockcroft' s departure. Although he' had been but a short time on the staff, he had gained thp' respect and esteem of his fellow teachers and the affection of the boys and girls who had been in his charge. He had proved himself not Only an excellent disciplinarian, and a painstaking and efficient teacher, but had also entered cordially into the children's recreation. He had taken a keen interest in the cadet corps, having been captain of one of the companies! Tho tpr^minent pai't he had taken in organising the recent school concert showed that Mr Cockcroft did not believe in performing his duties in a merely perfunctory fashion. In leaving the school he would take with him the regard of all with whom he had been associated. Aj it Itfas aif open secret that Mr Cockcroit contemplated another change in his arrangements before very long the teachers desired his acceptance of a set of carvers, which they hope/1 he would be able to ply with effect at the Cockcrofc family board for many years to come. Master Leo Richards made'a presentation on behalf of the boys of the fourth standard. He handed to their departing'teacher a walking stick made from puriri timber taken from the old Waiwakaiho Bridge. Mr Corkill, Chairman of the School Committee, said he and his colleagues felt that the school was sustaining & real loss through Mr Coekcroft's resignation. During his comparatively' short service here he had endeared himself to « -the children under his charge, ' and he (Mr Corkill) was as parent of Wo of the girls in the fourth standard to testify to tho very high esteem in which he was held by his pupils-. While regretting liis departure'the Committee recognised that Mr Cockcroft was doing the right thing in taking advantage of an Opportunity of advancing himself in life,' trad -ho hoped' that ' ; he -would continue to prosper in his profession. Mr Mcllroy, M.A.,' first assistant mas- ■ ter\ endorsed on behalf of the teachers the., sentiments expressed by previous speakers. He said they had all learned to appreciate Mr Cockcroft as a teacher and a man. /- • " •--*>'• .•Ti)e^uest of Jhe^fWnopn.feplied in feeling terms. He thanked all present for the kind send-off' they had given him, and, the tokens £f their godd will. He said that the seven months he h£d spent at ..the Central had been the most pleasant period in his teach- ' ing tca^eer;. ; ,$e had been associated with a capable and headnks^er <and sympathetic teachers, and aboVe aft lie had a most willing and interesting cMSs lif children. With such environment, and -an eriergetie? and appreciative Committee, he had had every incentive to do his best.^ He regretted ,yery much that it had become necessary to leave New Plymouth. ■ Hearty cheers were' given for Mr Cockcroft and for the "future Mrs Cockcroft."