LONG SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 66, 11 December 1930, Page 12

LONG SERVICE

Mr. G. L. Stewart Retires EDUCATION OFFICER Mr. F. S. Hylton Appointed Saying that a younger man ought now to till the position of secretary to the Education Board, Mr. G...L. Stewart tendered his resignation at y.esterday morning’s meeting. Mr. Stewart wilt shortly complete' 27 years’ service as secretary of the board. The board appointed Mr. F. S. Hylton, assistant secretary, to the position. • ‘‘He has been an ideal officer, a courteous one, and a man who took a keen interest in the work of the board,” said the chairman, Mr. T. Forsyth, when the letter of resignation had been read. Mr. Stewart had become known as an authority upon educational law and its administration. The task which he had had to do had been very difficult and Mr. Stewart, had been a faithful servant of the board. Very often during the 27 years he had been the board’s secretarylie had not taken his annual leave, but had worked on, in the interests of the board, and they appreciated his undoubted integrity in the service which he had rendered. Board’s Appreciation Recorded. The board accepted his resignation with great regret, and decided to place its very high appreciation of his services on reThe resignation will take effect from April 30 next, and it was decided to grant him three months’ leave of absence after that date, Mr. Forsyth remarking that such a period would probably not make up for the time which he might have spent on leave, but which he had spent on behalf of the board. Mr. Hylton, it was stated, had had the longest experience of anybody in a similar position in the Dominion. He had started in the service of the Wellington Education Board, afterward going to Marlborough, where he was the board secretary for 9| years, and then returning to Wellington. His total service was 334 years, 24 of which had been spent with the board of which he has now been appointed secretary’. Long Service to Education. Mr. Stewart was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, and received his education in Dunedin at Albany Street School, of which.he was dux in his year, and at Otago University. His educational work began as a pupil-teacher in the same school, and was subsequently continued in succession in the positions of third, second, and first assistant of the school at Mornington, Dunedin, which then had about 500 pupils, the last-named position being conferred on him at the age of twenty-one. For health reasons Mr. Stewart resigned from the teaching profession when about to complete his degree, and resided for several years in Central Otago, where he engaged in journalistic and secretarial work. He was secretary of the Mount Ida Hospital Board and the Maniototo Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Later returning to Dunedin, he entered into partnership with Mr. J. M. E. Garrow, afterward Professor Garrow, of Victoria College. He undertook secretarial and financial work and obtained a seat on the Dunedin Stock Exchange, becoming its chairman the year after. Farmers’ Insurance Scheme. It was while Mr. Stewart was secretary of the Otago Farmers’ Union that the first steps were taken to establish the Farmers’ Insurance Scheme, which afterward proved of great benefit to farmers. A keen bowler, he was honorary secretary of the New Zealand Bowling Association and of his own club, the Dunedin Bowling Club. In 1904 he was appointed secretary of the Wellington Education Board. He has always identified himself with the social and religions life of the community in which lie has resided, being at present president of the Wadestown and Hignland Park Men’s Society, and of the Wadestown Children’s Playground Society.