OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 3, 29 September 1943, Page 4

OBITUARY

Mr. W. S. La Trobe, C.B.E.

■'News was received in Wellington yesterday of the death in Auckland of Mr. William Sanderson La Trabe, C.8.L., a former .superintendent of technical education «md an educationist of high standing who was for some years closely associated with the advance of technical education in Wellington. Mr. La Trobe, a man of retiring nature and 1 possessed of a quiet dignity that always ensured respect from the rising generation, was born in Nga Roto, Waikato, in , 1870, being the sori of the late Mr. S. La Trobe, of that district. He was educated at the Auckland College and Grammar .School, and, later, at the Auckland University College, taking his M.A. degree there. Resolved on a career of education, Mr. La Trobe travelled to England to enter Cambridge University, where he gained his English M.A. degree with first-class honours and .mechanical science tripos. From 1896 to 1904 he was an assistant demonstrator in the engineering school al Cambridge University. His thoughts turned to his native country at a time when the Wellington Technical School was seeking a successor to Mr. A. D. Riley, who left the school to go into business. Mr. La Trobe became director of the Wellington school in 1904, and remained there, during years of great progress, till the end of 1918, when he was induced to accept the newly-created post of superintendent of Technical education, a position he retained till- April, 1938. when he retired. Since then he. has resided in Auckland. He leaves a widow aud three daughters. These are Mrs. Fortune (Thames), and Misses Lois and Dell La Trobe. Mr. G. E. Billson By the death of Mr. George E. Billson, life-saving in New Zealand has lost one of its most noted figures. Mr. Billson died in hospital on Monday at the age of 64, says a Press Association telegram from Christchurch. Only a few weeks ago his only sou, on active service with tlie R.N.Z.A.F., was reported missing on air operations in the Pacific. Mr. Billsou had been connected with tlie Royal Lifesaving Society for ever 40 years. He was responsible for the formation of the New Zealand Council of the Life-saving Society in 1912, and remained a member till his death. For several years he was president of the council, and, in IJob, while holding that office, was elected a vice-president, of the society—the highest honour that it can confer. j