TEMUKA.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 31 May 1923, Page 9

TEMUKA.

! [own correspondent-] 31 MISS McGOUGAN HONOURED. I On Tuesday afternoon Miss Alcs Gougan, the Canadian teacher who has | been in Temuka for the past sixteen I months, and is leaving to-day for a ! short trip to Australia before returnI ing home, was farewelled by the School I Committee and parents. Occasion was | taken by the Borough Council to pre--1 sent Miss McGougan with an axldress j in recognition of her services in Tes muka. The Mayor (Mr T. Gunnion) ex- ! pressed his pleasure at being present, | and asked the Town Clerk (Mr E. B. « Cooper) to read the address from the | Mayor and Councillors of the Borough I of Temuka, which placed on' record 5 their appreciation of the manner m jj which Miss Norma McGougan had car- | ]-ied out her dirties during the sixteen l months that siie had occupied the l position of infant mistress in the TeI muka District High School. Her abil- • ity combined with her attention to duty, her unvarying cheerfulness, and , her attractive personhlity, had gained f for her the affection of the children, j; ilie esteem of the parents, and the regard of all classes of the community. The Alayor then, on behalf, of the Council presented Miss' McGougan with a sterling silver butter knife and a bread fork with greenstone handles, lie hoped that she would be spared ai long time to continue her work and that they would yet see her back in Temuka. (Applause.) Miss McGougan, who was greeted with loud applause, sincerely thanked everyone for their kindness. Miss McGougan then referred to the system of the exchange of teachers and said that this system helped to bring the people of tlie British nation into closer touch with one another, and for this alone it was worth while.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S GIFT. The chairman, on behalf of the committee, said that Miss McGougan’s work among the children had been wonderful, anil they felt that they could not let her go without some recognition. Mr Sanders then presented Miss McGougan with a greenstone paper, knife, with a handsome gold certificate on which is inscribed “M. AIcG., from T.D.H.S. Committee, N.Z., 1923.

Mr Malcolm, headmaster, Mr J. T. Smart, and Mr G. L. Eraser, on behalf of the parents, spoke in high terms of the manner in which Miss McGougan had adapted herself to the work of the school in Temuka, and expressed sincere thanks for the interest she had taken in the children.

Miss McGougan, in reply, said that she was very sorry to leave the children, especially in the middle of their work. She would have preferred to stay until the year’s work was finished. but that was impossible. The ladies then dispensed a splendid afternoon tea- after which “.For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was sung, this being /followed by “Auld Lang Syne.” Three cheers for Miss McGougan terminated a very pleasant function. - THE STAFFS TRIBUTE. In the evening llie headmaster, Mr It. Malcolm- and Mrs Malcolm entertained Alias McGougan and the staff to a most enjoyable progressive sUo,party, t-iie honours of the evening being awarded to Airs J. T. Smart.

During the evening Mr Malcolm spoke in appreciative terms of ' Miss McGougan’s many sterling qualities as a teacher, and on behalf of the staff presented her with a water colour of Mount Cook by Veitch, one of New Zealand's foremost artist’s.

Miss McGougan thanked the teachers lor their line presentation, and said that she wished to acknowledge the assistance she hud always received, and the many kindnesses extended to her. (Applause.) Musical and elocutionary items were given, by and Hancox and Mr Malcolm., The singing of “Auld Lang Sync” brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.

METHODIST BIBLE CLASS

At the Temuka Methodist Social .hall on Tuesday evening the Rev. W. H. Abbey delivered an address to the Young People’s Winter Evening Classes. There was a large and appreciative audience, over which Mr It. Mathieson presided. Taking for his subject “The .Backworker of Australia,” the Rev. Mr Abbey referred to the serious and menacing' position which, was lacing us in the Near East by the influence of the Yellow nations in our dependencies, saying that all the trade was necessary from, the Atlantic to the Pacific, and whether this was to be the .storm centre or a centre of peace depended on one thing—the missionary sucres; of the Church. The lecturer reiateu personal experiences extending over a lengthy period, giving many instances of the hardships and difficulties to be met with, in the baokblocks. .He compared the conditions ol Australia and New Zealand pointing out that their interests were practically identical, that for purposes of progress and defence it was ossontinl that they should work together, and that in order thab the hes t re.vul ts should ho attained the

Church must exert every effort to spread the influence of the Gospel by means of missionary enterprise. In moving a vote of thanks to Air Abbey for his splendid address, _ Air F. C. Roberts related some of his experiences with the Yellow races in Canada, saving that one place, north of Bancouver, formerly inhabited by Whites, was now entirely populated by tho Japs and Chinese. Supper was then dispersed, and the evening was brought to a close with the Benediction.

1.0.0. F, The fortnightly meeting of Alexan- ! drovna Lodge, No. 15, was held on I Tuesday evening. There was a large ! attendance of members. After opening | the Lodge a vote of condolence was s passed with Bro. Steven in the loss of | his father, members standing in silence, i Two proposed members were balloted ! lor and were duly elected. Two candidates for membership came forward ; and were initiated, Bro. Knight, N.G., j performing the ceremony, assisted by liro. officers. The chairman of the | Social Committee reported on the (euchre matches against the Hibernians | and the Druids. He also referred to the progressive euchre party to be held o.i Thursday evening in the Parish Hall. J A _ feature of the evening will bo a j special prize of a cake, donated by jßro. A. Anderson for the winner of the I most games in the ladies’; section, j The first nomination of officer's for the coming term was then taken, and after some discussion on Lodge matters the Lodge closed in due form.