MARTON NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18975, 28 March 1924, Page 8

MARTON NOTES.

FAREWELL TO MR. F. A. BATES. FUNCTION AT MARTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. (From Our Own Correspondent). There was a large assemblage of scholars, parents and committeemen in ihc Assembly Hall at the Marton District High School on Thursday afternoon to bid farewell to their headmaster, Mr. F. A. Bates. Mr. M. Goldsbury acted as Master of Ceremonies, ana, in his opening remarks, stated that there was evidently something about the Marton School which brought its headmasters into prominence throughout the Dominion, and referred to the promo tion of Mr. R. B. Ryder, Mr. F. L. de Berry and now Mr. F. A. Bates, all of whom had been promoted from this school. He could not adequately express, on behalf of the teachers and himself, the respect in which they had held Mr. Bates, and although they were s or, y at his departure they were pleased that he had been promoted to a higher school, and,.wished him every success.

Mr. T. Low, chairman of the school committee, expressed regret at Mr. Bates’ departure. He congratulated him on the pleasant relations that had always existed between the committee teachers and scholars. He hoped that he would have bigger scope in Hawera for his capabilities and trusted that the change would be beneficial. The Marton School had been privileged in having men of such high ideals as their past headmasters, which had been of great assistance in the education of the scholars.

Rev. H. Daniel spoke, on behalf of the local clergymen. He had had two opportunities whilst giving Scriptural lesson s of witnessing the good work done by Mr. Bates, and he took advantage of the present occasion of thanking Mr. Bates for the assistance he had given’ in these lessons. Mr. Bates’ promotion was richly deserved and their presence there to-day bore testimony to the respect in which lit? was held by those with whom he had come in contact. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Bates every success and happiness. Mr. Hempleman, headmaster of Marton Junction School, remarked upon the good feeling that had existed between the scholars of each school. It was due solely to Mr. Bates that such happy relations existed, and the same good feeling had existed between the teachers, and they bad had many occasions in combining together for the betterment of both schools. He congratulated Mr Bates on his promotion.

Masters Melton, Ingle and Ken. Oldfield, prefects, briefly expressed their regret at the departure of Mr. Bates, stating that what was Hawera’s gain was Marton’s loss. They fully appreciated the work of. Mr. Bates as headmaster. Ken. Oldfield then presented Mr. Bates with a full set of cutlery, on behalf of the scholars, committee and parents. Misse s Doris Goldsbury and Odelia Nittschke presented Phyllis <*ud Joyce Bates with handsome T»ooks.

Mr. Bates met with a flattering reception on responding, and thanked the speakers for their good wishes, especially Mr. Goldsbury, who would be in charge of the school for the next month. He referred to, the school committee’s good work ami hoped that the scholars would fully appreciate their services. Mr. Hempieman’s presence was a great pleasure to him and the good spirit that prevailed between the teachers was present among the scholars. The prefects of the school were a great asset, and were greatly missed at the beginning of the term. He tendered a last lesson to the scholars, and prevailed upon them to be clean “sports,” straight, honest and upright in their dealings. They did not teach boys and girls how to make money, but to “play the game” through life as it should be played. He thoroughly enjoyed the swimming lessons, not because he had to do it, but for the spirit in which they had all entered into the sport. He thanked them heartily for their handsome presents. (Applause). Three hearty cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Bates and the children. Mr. Bates’ successor is Mr. H. L. Wilson, late headmaster of Martinborough. He was also headmaster at Kaikoura for seven years, and for a short period at Riccarton. Mr. Bates has been appointed headmaster at Hawera District High School.

At the Methodist Church on Tuesday evening the Rev. H. Daniel, on behalf of the congregation, presented Mr. and Mrs. Bates with a handpainted dessert bowl and silver fish service. . 4 GENERAL NEWS. On the 17th inst., at Knox Church, Waimate, the marriage of Miss Rema Morton, twin daughter of Mr. and Mrs C. R. Morton, Waimate, and Mr. Richard S. Lilburn, second son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Lilburn, of “Drysdale,” Pukeroa, was solemnised by the Rev. J. D. Wilson. Miss Moana Morton wa s bridesmaid, and Mr. Gordon B. Camp bell (Greytown) best man. Mr. R. G. Dalziell, who was appointed to represent the Rangitikei Rugby Union on the Wanganui Rugby Union Council, is at present in hospital where he is recovering satisfactorily from a serious operation, although it will be a month before he will be able to resume his usual duties.

Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ladley, of Marton, left yesterday on a trip to the Old Country, and will return in twelve months’ time. The Marton retailers held their annual picnic at Kakariki on Wednesday. It was an ideal spot for a picnic with shelter for the picnickers and swimming for the youngsters. Sports were conducted by a committee and numerous events were run off. P. Gronn and F. Roach ran first and second in the cigarette race. Miss McKenzie and Mr. Roots won the wheelbarrow race with Miss T. McDonald .and G. McDonald second. F. Roach and T. Woodham were first and second in the sack race and Miss McKenzie and Mrs. Griffiin first and second in the ladies’ sack race. A. J. Whale won the hop, step and jump with 38 feet. A. Way won the open 10'0 yards’ handicap and the married men’s race, with A. J. Whale second. Mrs. McKenzie won the married ladies* race and F. Roach the assistants’ race. A. Doyle’s team beat A. Way’s team in the tug-of-wor, and the married ladies beat the single. Over eight hundred travelled by the special train, and the committee kept a plentiful supply of hot water ready for afternoon tea.