Presentation to Mr John Grigg.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XVII, Issue 5945, 16 December 1887, Page 2

Presentation to Mr John Grigg.

An interesting event took place at the above school yesterday morning. Mi* John Grigg the itinerant teacher of music at the Thames Schools for the last ten years, being about to severe hia connection with the Board of Education, and the time having nearly expired, the children of this, school took the opportunity of presenting Mr Grigg with a testimonial, neatly, engrossed, on which was written the following inscription and song, the words being by A. Home, and the music by Miss Wolff. To Mr John Grigg on the occasion of his leaving Tararu School, Christmas, 1887.

Farewell, A long farewell we fear it will be, This is retrenchment surely, Ten years you've taught us, Aud now juafc when the fruit seems

ripening, Of all your labours, you are taken from us, We give you our assurance, We regret it, And grieve that Thursday now will be Wo more the gladsome hour of congand glee- »

But yet let us not be down hearted, Well still go on trying with zesb, And it you'll come sometimes to hear.

us, We'll sing you some songs at oar best, So fare-welljso fare well,wherever --yon maybe, . We trust that life for you, and yours

will always happy be. Yours truly teachers and soholars, Tararu School,

On the left margin of the above wag a photograph of the school with all the children.

• The avove was then sung by the children, and although nothing had been done towards practising until 3 o'clock on the previous day, the children acquitted themselves very creditably indeed, thus showing the good sound training they had received, and the benefit derived therefrom. The song was sung without one single mistake!, and with great expression. Mr Grigg expressed great pleasure at receiving such a mark of esteem, which came quite unexpectedly, and his regret at giving up the teaching of' singing which he had followed not for the monetary consideration, but that he was really fond of this accomplishment, and took a hearty general interest in teaching it, much more so, when he '--"d that his work had done good, as " 4, A son g just rendered the singing ot uu. ' so proved, the time for practice oo^ b rery short. He trusted that the children would continue to pay the same attention to their singing lessons in future, as they had done in the. past, as music would liven any one up, and drive dull care away. He spoke in ■ths highest praise of the ability of the teaching istaff, '.espe cially the Misses Wolff and. Gibb, who had made themselves proficient h all the requisite branches of the tonic sol fa system of teaching. He thanked them for the compliment paid to him, that day, and bid them all good bye, at the same time wishing :them the compliments of the approaching festive season,