PRESENTATION TO REV.G. BOND

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 March 1901, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO REV.G. BOND

■ —-♦ —. —- Before commencing the ordinary business at the School Committee meeting last evening the Rev T. B. Maclean, -addressing the Chairman, said that as it was the last meeting at which Mr Bond would preside he had been asked by the members of the \V-anganui School Committee to say how deeply they felt the value of the services they had received at his hands. Mr Bond had presided over them with the greatest satisfaction. So for as the business of the committee was concerned, the members had never been detained unnecessarily, everything having been done with the utmost expediency. During the time he had-been'chairman a very great deal of important work had fallen upon him, as ' instances of which, the speaker referred to ' the reception at the School of the Gover-, nor, and different ©vents in connection with the war. All of these duties had been carried out with marked ability. The greatest work he ihad performed was "the establishment of the Wanganui District High School. He had brought the matter before the notice of the committee, and he had stuck to it like a "fighting parson" should do. Mr Maclean was sure that not only 'the committee but the parents of the children were exceedingly grateful to Mr Bond for what hfe had done. Wherever ■Mr Bond might in future be encaged he could have the knowledge that he had done n, great deal for, the cause of education in Wanganui, and that ha had gained the esteem of everybody who had that cause at heart. The committee, in saying (rood bye to* Mr Bond wishes to make a small presentation to him as a mark of their appreciation. Mr Maclean then banded Mr Bond a handsome, inkstand, with the following inscription upon a silver plate:— "Presented to their chairman. Rev Geo. Bond, bj« the Public Schools Committee, Wanganui, 1901." The Rev Mr Bond, in replying, said he could hardly iput into words what he felt it that particular moment. Personally he was indebted to the Rev Mr Maclean for the kind words he had spoken—voicing as he believed the sentiments of the present committee; sentiments of personal regard, and appreciation of his service.l--such as they had been. He felt altogether unworthy rof those expressions. What he had dome had sprung from the feeling that it was his duty and privilege to work for the benefit of the community in which Providence had placed him. His term of office tad been a happy one—and that happiness had7 been enhanced by association | with the numbers of the committee. As a private member and as chairman of the committee he had met with the utmost cordiality,; and "the members had always shown the greatest confidence in him: what he had done would never have been accomplished without their co-oneration. He congratulated the committee on their ■achievements in the past, particularly with reference to the Wanganui District High School. Mr Bond went on to say,that only a few weeks ago; it Avas uncertain as to whether the Wanganui District High' School would become an official reality. A mistake had1 been made by the Board declaring the school open before receiving official sanction, but he was very happy to be" able to inform the committee that he had received an: assurance from the Premier tha.t the school would become an established fact. ;Mr Bond concluded by heartily" thanking the members for the present. It would ever bring happy recollections o{ the many pleasant hours .he 1 lrad spent with* men whom he was -proud to call his friends.. .......', j

Mr Bruce said he would not like the opportunity to pass without expressing his hearty approval of all that had been said. Mr Maclean had voiced the regret felt by all the members of the committee at losing Mr Bond, who in all phases of life had endeavoured to live up to a high ideal of Christian citzenship.