PRESENTATION TO MR W. BROCK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9316, 17 August 1908, Page 1

PRESENTATION TO MR W. BROCK.

Nearly three hundred parents and children assembled in the Methodist Schoolroom, Richmond, on Friday evening for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr W. Brock, headmaster of the Richmond Public School, who has been appointed an inspector of schools. Mr J. A. Flesher, chairman of the School Committee, presided.

The chairman said that the school had always been singularly fortunate in the splendid type of headmasters and staff obtained, and the high standard of efficiency had been the result of the lofty ideals of such men as Mr C. S. Howard and Mr Brock. The former, during his twenty-five years as headmaster of the school, had set a very high standard of excellence, which had been more than maintained during tho four years that Mr Brock had been in charge. Seventeen hundred scholars had passed through the school tinder Mr Brock's headmastership, and the roll number had risen from 628 to 724, and would have continued to rise but for the opening of a new school in the district. On behalf of tiie parents and staff, the chairman presented Mr Brock with a valuable gold watch, suitably engraved.

Mr Brock said that he wished to thank the parents and children for the courtesy and sympathy shown him at all times, and the committee and staff for the loyal assistance and help they had always accorded him, without which he could not have hoped for the results obtained. Ho had always endeavoured not only to educate his scholars, with the means provided by the school syllabus, but to fit them to take an active part in life. He congratulated tho school on the selection of the new headmaster, and he felt sure hiti successor would successfully maintain, the. high reputation of the Richmond School.

The chairman introduced Mr J. W. M'Gregor, the headmaster-elect, who, he said, would leave the Ashburton District School to take up work at Richmond on September 1. He welcomed Mr M'Gregor and promised him the same loyal support from the parents and the committee that Mr Brock had received.

Mr M'Gregor replied, and after a short musical programme had been given the gathering closed with cheers for Mr Brock.

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