UNTIMELY DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 74, 29 March 1938, Page 10

UNTIMELY DEATH.

MR. H. J. D. MAHON.

GREAT EDUCATIONIST.

A FAMOUS HEADMASTER,

I Auckland public life suffered a severe • loss in the death this morning of .Mr. , 11. •!. 11. Million, president of the Auck- | land I niversil v College, and formerly j headmaster of the Auckland (I'rantniar | School, uis death was tragically sudden. He presided over a meeting of the college council late yesterday afternoon, w hen lie appeared to ho in perfect health. .He took suddenly ill ahout (I a.m.. and died half an hour later. He was (iti years old. 'I o many persons in the. city Mr. Million'* name U practically ,-y mm vinous with tinit of the Auckland Grammar School, and though he retired from the headmaster-hip of the school two years ago he is still remembered for his work there. Hoy and man, pupil, master and principal 'he was associated with the school for almost halt a century. Mr. Mahon entered the school in 18Sti as a junior district scholar, and he left it for the university ahout 1889 with a I niversitv Entrance Scholarship. While at the Auckland University College, where he took the degree of 8.A., lie played a prominent part in the extraacademic work of the college. He was president of the Students' Association, and one of the most interesting celebrations held in connection with the recent college jtiliilee was a dinner of former presidents of that body. By virtue of his seniority Mr. Mahon presided. He also represented his college at cricket and football. First Post as Teacher. Leaving the university he taught as a pupil teacher at the Wellcslev Street School from 1592 to 189.3. Then he went to the New riymouth High School taking the position of junior assistant master. After three years he went backto his old school as a master «n commerce and English. In JftOti } 1( » went abroad to study at the University of Jena,-in Germany. He was awav for a year, and on his return he became senior master in English at the school. Tn 1921 he was appointed head of the English department and second master. He held that position when the late Mr. •Tames Dritmmond was appointed headmaster in 1923; and on the death of Mr. Drummond in 1927 he became, actingheadmaster. He was permanent I v appointed to the post in March, 1928, and resigned in September, 1935. Great Headmasters. The tradition of great headmasters was carried on by Mr. Mahon. The school continued to grow in numbers, despite the establishment of the Mount Albert Grammar School. His regime saw many improvements. The fine football and cricket ground of which any school might be proud was completed. The library, the gift of the Old Bovs' Association, was built and opened, and the gymnasium established. But, more than these, important though they were, was Mr. Mahon's influence on the bovs passing through his hands. His was the influence of a strong and sympathetic character. Throughout his teaching career he retained a ,deep and passionate interest in English literature; and no master did more than he to inculcate a love of the subject. Many of the old boys of the school have often spoken of how Mr. Mahon's sheer enthusiasm would enforce attention and finally understanding. English litemture in Auckland owes much to Mr. Mahon over the past decade. When Mr. Mahon retired, in 1935, the Old Boys' Association gave him a dinner. At this time it is perhaps interesting and informative to recall what was said then. Mr. Victor Mackv who was then president, said that present boys and old boys had come to rco-ard him not so much in terms of dignitv'and respect as in friendship and affection. At the gathering the room had been packed to the doors with many of the prominent citizens in Auckland, all old hoys. Mr. J. Stanton on that occasion had said that if Mr. Mahon wished to take away an abiding memory of his stewardship of the school, he had merely to glance around him. "Exceedingly Loveable Man." Af "Vl", Wi '° had been associated with Mr Mahon for 44. years, Mr. K ,T Dellow, headmaster of .the Takapuna Grammar School, paid a more intimate tribute. He was a man of exceedingly loveable disposition, under whom it was a joy to work," Mr. Dellow said. Mr. Mahon had taught him at the Grammar School in 1908, and he had been closely connected with him from 1910, when Mr. Dellow had become a master, until 1935, when Mr. MaJion had retired.

I Mr. Mahon's greatest contribution to the school, in Mr. Dellow's opinion, was the way in which he had broadened the curriculum, particularly i n the modern forms. He had introduced accountancy and a specialised science course in the sixth forms. He had also attached great importance to the medical inspection of boys and advice to the parents. Upon Mr. Mahon's retirement he paid a visit abroad, and upon his return, to the presidency of the Auckland University College in February, 1937.