TECHNICAL PRINCIPAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18617, 12 July 1930, Page 17

TECHNICAL PRINCIPAL

WELCOME TO MR AND MRS F. L. N. TUCK. LARGE GATHERING AT THE COLLEGE. A most representative gathering of educationists assembled at the Timaru Technical College last evening at the invitation of the Board of Managers, for the purpose of extending a hearty welcome to Timaru of the new Principal of the College, Mr F. L. N. Tuck, and his wife and family. The teaching profession, primary and secondary, was well represented, and there were present members of School Committees and representatives of the Timaru Workers’ Educational Association.

The early portion of the evening was devoted to cards, and then those present were entertained by musical and elocutionary items by Mr and Mrs Wheeler and Miss Preen. Mr G. Griffiths performed some very clever conjuring tricks. The programme was an excellent one, and was much appreciated. Subsequently Mr A. Stead, chairman of the Board of Managers, extended a cordial welcome to Mr and Mrs Tuck and family. He said he felt sure the College had a worthy successor to Mr McFadyen in Mr Tuck, and that the new Principal’s gracious personality would be felt among the boys of Timaru, and thus the excellent work of the College would be extended. Mr Johnson, representing the College staff, also welcomed Mr and Mrs Tuck and family, assuring the Principal of the loyalty of the staff, day and evening, in pushing on the work at the College. Mr Johnson said he had heard Mr Tuck say that he had looked forward to coming to Timaru, and now that he was here, the speaker hoped he was not disappointed. No matter how long their stay here might be he trusted they would enjoy happiness and prosperity. (Applause.)

Mr W. Thomas, Rector of the Timaru Boys’ High School, in behalf of the teaching profession, also welcomed Mr and Mrs Tuck. This was not the first occasion upon which he had been asked to be present to welcome a headmaster of the Technical College. H 6 would have liked to have been given an opportunity of saying publicly in the presence of Mr McFadyen what he would say now—how much from the High School point of view they appreciated the work done by Mr McFadyen during the last few years in Timaru. The relationship of the last few years between the High School and the Technical College would be continued. As far as the night school goes there are a great number of our ex-pupils attending these classes, and it had been a great pleasure indeed to advise old boys and ex-pupils to attend the Technical College, where they know they were so well looked after in the evening. So many left school before they have had enough of schooling and they came along to the Technical College. Nowhere else in New Zealand were there two schools working so amicably together under different Boards as the two schools in Timaru. “We have been able to send down to the technical school pupils who have been able to get some very valuable instruction in connection with their handwork in a well-equippeu workshop. It is a great pleasure to know that Mr McFadyen placed the pupils before the school. We have been able to work so well together and from what I have seen of Mr Tuck, he will continue on the foundation laid by Mr McFadyen, and give more and more efficiency and more and more service to the school. I hope he stays in Timaru. It is a good place for a headmaster who is in earnest, because the people are interested in education. I hope Mr and Mrs Tuck enjoy their stay here. I wish them every success.” In responding, Mr Tuck said he felt overwhelmed by the position in which he had been placed. The speakers had been so very kind in what they had said. It gave him something to live up to. “If one has not a past, perhaps he’ll have a future,” said Mr Tuck amid applause and laughter. ‘Til place these things before me, and try to live up to them. It is quite true, as Mr Johnson has said, I have for many years wanted to come to Canterbury, and Timaru was the town of all towns which attracted me, and when the opportunity arose I was delighted. Mrs Tuck and my children were glad when the opportunity to reside in Timaru came. We know in the North Island that the South Island is very stable; that it was settled by some of the very best settlers that came out to this young country years ago; that the educational facilities in the South Island are second to none.” (Applause.) Mr Tuck referred to the position of technical education, saying it was the youngest branch of the educational tree, but it was taking its right and proper place, and was being increasingly recognised. It was nice of Mr Thomas to say how it was possible for this branch of education to fit in with the older school, and it was nice to think that the cordial relations between the schools had existed for several years now, and had been increased and he hoped they would continue in the future. Mr Tuck concluded by thanking the various speakers and those present for the cordial and warm welcome they had extended to Mrs Tuck, his family and himself. (Applause.) After supper had been handed round and enjoyed, the proceedings terminated.