Obituary

Press, Issue 29236, 21 June 1960, Page 17

Obituary

MR THOMAS TURBOTT

“The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, June 20. Mr Thomas Turbott, who for 60 years was associated with education in the Auckland district, has died, aged 77. Mr Turbott was born at Tuakau in 1882 and became a pupil teacher at Waihi in 1900. He taught two half-time schools near Mangonui from 1903 until he entered training college in 1908.

He was an assistant in primary schools in Auckland until his appointment as organising teacher at Whangarei and later at Auckland. He was headmaster in succession of Nelson street (19261928), Newmarket (1928-32), and Grey Lynn (1932-41) primary schools. He was a former president of the Auckland Headmasters’ Association and Auckland Men Teachers’ Guild. Mr Turbott retired in 1941. In 1944 he was elected to the Auckland Education Board, serving as chairman from 1950 to 1952. He was also education board representative on the Auckland Grammar School Board. Mr Turbott was a former session clerk of St. Paul’s Devonport, and Somerville Presbyterian churches, and a justice of the peace.

He is survived by his wife and three sons—Mr E. G. Turbott, assistant-director of the Canterbury Museum, Mr G. G. Turbott. registrar of the University of Canterbury..and Mr I. G. Turbott, acting-Governor of the Leeward Islands. MR G. HILL (New Zeatana Press Association) TIMARU, June 20. Mr George Hill, principal of the Timaru Technical College for the last 16 years, died suddenly at his home on Saturday. Mr Hill was born and educated in Christchurch, graduating with M.A. with honours, Diploma of Education and Diploma of Social Science from the University of Canterbury. After a period at the Karamea District High School, he made a trip to the United States and Great Britain, teaching for a time in England. Returning to New Zealand in 1930, he taught at Southland. Technical College until 194 J. when he took up the position of principal of the Timaru Technical College and secretary to the board of managers. At the last meeting of the board, Mr Hill announced his resignation after 41 years teaching service, and was to have retired at the end of the year.

He is survived by his wife and a son and daughter. MR W. G. WAKELIN (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 20. The death has occurred of Mr Walter George Wakelin, a member of a Wellington legal firm for many years, who became well known for his fine penmanship. His interest in penmanship began when he was with the Blenheim legal firm of McCallum and Mills, in which he was engrossing clerk. For many years he used only quill pens, which he cured and cut himself from goose feathers. He later used steel pens. Mr Wakelin studied the old masters of illumination. One of his first illuminated addresses was for Mr R. J. Seddon. Among many others to receive addresses from his pen were the Duke of Gloucester. Sir Francis Bell, and Sir William Jordan. Mr Wakelin was born in Greytown in 1887, but lived all his young life in Havelock and Blenheim. He was a veteran of the First World War, leaving New Zealand with the 2nd Reinforcements as a staff sergeant. New Zealand Headquarters. He served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France, later transferring to the Tunnelling; Corps. He returned to New Zealand in 1919 joined the staff of Brandon, Ward, and Hislop, Wellington, and was later admitted as a solicitor. . . . , Mr Wakelin is survived by a son, Mr K. Wakelin, of Rotorua.