FAREWELLED

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 18 December 1926, Page 9

FAREWELLED

BY COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS. MISS SMART HONOURED. It was with pleasure, ‘mingled with regret for the occasion of the gathering- that the women members of the stall together with former colleagues, and friends intimately connected with the Waimate School met together on Friday at the invitation of Miss Olliver to do honour and to say farewell to Miss Smart. After listening with great enjoyment to music provided by Miss Smart and Miss Hart and partaking of a delicious afternoon tea, the company regretfully allowed their thoughts to dwell on the severing of one of the links which bound them to her whom they had gathered to honour. Mrs Hurst speaking as the mother of pupils of Miss Smart, and Misses Olliver Blackett and Borrie as those who, of the present staff, had been longest her colleagues, each paid ribute to Miss Smart’s great qualities as a teacher — to her ability, to her kindliness, and to her personality which, with the high ideals she held, could not fail to be a source of inspiration to those about her. Expressing pleasure at the thought that they would be able to enjoy Miss Smart’s company still in their midst they united in extending to her all good wishes for many happy years to come.

Following the Royal toast, the guest’s health was drunk with musical honours. In reply, Miss Smart, speaking- with an eloquence which was the envy of her hearers, described interestingly and entertainingly early days at the school, and spoke inspiringly of the profession whose ranks she was about to leave. This happy but sad little function was brought to an end by a final, toast, “The School”, which Miss Smart has served so faithfully and so well. APPRECIATIVE LETTERS. In connection with the recent farewell and presentation to Miss Smart, the following letters were received by the Secretary of the School Committee (Mr. ML F. George) in reference to the retiring teacher: — “On behalf of Mrs Hamilton, and for myself, I desire you to convey to the Committee, our thanks for the invitation you kindly sent us, to be present at the presentation to Miss Smart to-morrow evening. We regret, however, that neither of us can at the present time avail ourselves , of the invitation. I have no doubt

that the Committee will understand that at this time of the year pressure of other engagements leaves little time at our own disposal.

“We wish the Committee to understand, however, that we greatly regret that we shall not be able to be present, and to assume them of our appreciation of their kindness and courtesy in sending us the invitation Personally, I should have greatly enjoyed renewing the pleasure of old associations, and of being present towitness the honour conferred on Miss Smart. It gives my wife and myself very great pleasure indeed to know that her services are appreciated and recognised. I know that she has always been whole-heartedly devoted to the interests of the school, and has conscientiously endeavoured to discharge her duties to the best of her ability. A public recognition that she has succeeded will, I am sure, be appreciated by her as the most valued recompense, and is, of course, very gratifying to her friends and relatives. “With best wishes for the success of the function. “Yours sincerely,, W. M. HAMILTON.”

“Mrs Morrison and myself wish heartily to thank your Committee, and yourself, for the very courteous invitation you l have sent us to be present at the presentation to Miss Smart. We wish to express our regret that other engagements and ties prevent us from coming, though it would have been a great pleasure (mingled with a certain sadness) to be with you on the occasion. But, we note the date, and we wi.ll both be with you in spirit and goodwill, and imagination, at the event, and with you in kindly, affectionate remembrance of the many years of faithful, earnest service rendered to the children, and the community, by Miss Smart. We would especially mention her care and zeal, for many years, in carrying out Scripture Les sons in the school. Noble character is the best possession of an individual, and the best guarantee- for the well-being, both of Church and State. Miss Smart has taught the high character of “plain living and high thinking,” both by precept and example. Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, lies buried there, and there is an inscription on his tomb, “If you seek his monument, look around you.” Miss Smart’s best monument is found by looking at the lives of hundreds of girls and boys wham she has helped to impress with lofty ideals of life and duty. We thanks her, with others, for all she has done in Waimate, wish her a long and serene eventide of life, with ‘all that should accompany old age, as honour, love, obedience, and troops of friends.’ Our best wishes to the old school, with its excellent and, we believe, unusually high record in the useful and eminent citizens whom it has trained. “On behalf of Mrs Morrison, and myself, with cordial wishes, A. S. MORRISON.”