OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 31, 16 November 1939, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR M. P. COOKE. FINE SERVICE AS TEACHER.. School teaching in various parts of Canterbury since he was 17 years of age and up to about two years ago, Air (Montague Percy Cooke, who died at Allenton yesterday in lys 1 68th year, was well known and respected by a large number of people all over the province. Air Cooke was particularly well known in the Ashburton County, where lie lived for about 20 years. He was born at Invercargill in 1872, being the son of the first school teacher at Bluff. He first taught at St. Andrews when still only a boy, and since then was sole charge or head teacher at every school at which he was engaged. After short periods at Silverstream and Orari Bridge, Air Cooke became headmaster at the Washdyke School in 1903. He remained there until 1914, having to take three years off on account of bad health. Air Cooke’s next school ivas at Greendale, North Canterbury, whence he was transferred to Orari, where he remained instil 1925. From Orari, Mr Cooke moved to Rakaia, and after nine years there, took his last position as heatlmaster of the Tinwald School. He gave three years’ service at Tinwald, retiring about two years ago. Air Cooke always took a', very keen interest in all sport, and in his youth was a well-known athlete and a keen footballer. Air Cooke was secretary of the Allenton Sports Club at the time of his death, and took a particularly keep, interest in the bowling activities of the Club. He was a choir-boy in his early years, at the Geraldine Church, which was later transferred to Orari. When teaching at Orari, Air Cooke started lay-reading at the Anglican Church, and it is interesting to note that he took his first service in the church in 'which he sang as a boy. Air Cooke continued his lay-reading in various districts up to a short time before his death.

Always a keen and successful gardener, Mr Cooke developed beautiful flower plots at every schoolhouse in which he lived. In most cases he found the gardens in nothing less than a wilderness when he arrived. Few teachers have attended as many silver and diamond jubilees of schools as Mr Cooke. He took part in celebrations at St. Andrews, Winchester,' Silverstream, Rwkaia, Washdyke, Greendale (silver and diamond) and Timvald. (Mr Cooke is survived by his _ wife, formerly Miss Julio M erry, of Timaru, and one son, Mr M. Cooke, of the State Advances Department, Timaru. Mr Cooke’s two brothers are alive in Wellington, and he also has a sister in Wellington, Mrs M. Read, and a sister at Timaru, Airs J. Dujmill. Service at Tinwald School. The teachers and pupils of the Tinwald School met in the school grounds at 9 a .in. to-day in memory of their late headmaster, Mr Cooke. After a brief introduction by Mr J. H. Harper (chairman of the committee) and Mr B. J. Wilson, the Rev. H. A. Childs gave a short talk to the children on the influence and friendliness of Air Cooke. The Rev. D. D. McLachlan read a suitable portion of Scripture and led in prayer.

Air Cooke’s favourite hymn, “Abide with Me,” was then sung.