DIED AT HIS POST

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 186, 4 May 1929, Page 13

DIED AT HIS POST

MASTER OF CLYDE QUAY SCHOOL

A tragically sudden death occurred yesterday morning at the Clyde Quay School when the headmaster, Air. Thomas Irvine, M.A., collapsed whilst engaged in his school duties. Air. Irvine had rung the bell at 10 a.m. for the usual ten minutes’ play-time, and having done so, returned to his room prior to partaking of his morning cup of tea with the staff. He was engaged in writing when he fell forward on to his desk. No one was in the room at the time, but one of the children passing the door heard an unusual sound and informed her teacher, Miss Bowers, who at once repaired to the headmaster’s room, to find Air. Irvine huddled forward on his desk in an unconscious condition. Air. H. R. Fisher, the chief assistant, was called in and Air. Irvine was lifted from the desk and laid upon a couch in the room, but even as Air. Fisher deposited the stricken man on the couch, and whilst still in his arms, Air. Irvine died. Dr. J. S. Elliott was at once communicated with, and was on the spot within a few minutes of the occurrence, but could only pronounce life to be extinct. Mr. T. Forsyth (the chairman of the Education Board) and Air. G. L. Stewart (secretary) were also informed and visited the school. Subsequently the body was removed to a mortuary chapel.

The late Mr. Irvine, M.A., F.R.E.S., was a quiet, conscientious, hardworking and capable teacher and headmaster.- For the greater part of his teaching life he had been in the employ of the Canterbury Education Board, and was headmaster of the Hokitika School, when he was, four years ago, appointed to succeed Mr. W. L. Foster as headmaster at Clyde Quay. Air. Irvine, who resided on the Crescent, Roseneath, leaves a widow, two sons and a daughter.