DEATH OF MR. W. E. SPENCER

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 125, 31 May 1927, Page 10

DEATH OF MR. W. E. SPENCER

With a revolver shot in the head, Mr. Willam Edward Spencer, aged 63, who has been living in retirement at 43, Mulgrave street, was found dead on the Thorndon breastwork at 7.30 o'clock this morning. The revolver, which lay alongside him, was identified as his propertj'. ■ Mr. Spencer, who is survived by a widow and a' grown-up family, living in Wellington, had- been; suffering from ill-health for some, time past. It is thought that his action was the result of depression following a recent heart attack.

The late Mr. Spencer, whose- death will be deeply regretted throughout the Dominion, was a Master of Arts and a Master of Science, and for many years was a prominent officer of the Education Department, from which he retired in December, 1925, after having completed 47 years' service. Before becoming associated . with the Department he was for many years in the teaching profession. He, began' his teaching work in Otago, and continued there for some years. In 1891 he was appointed assistant inspector of schools for the Wanganui district ■, -and four years later was appointed inspector in Taranaki. In 1907 tfe was appointed to the Department, .where his official position was for many years Inspector and Officer-in-Charge of the Departmental publications. While at the TJniversity, Mr. Spencer founded the Students' Association of New Zealand, and was the first president of the association in Otago, where the movement was initiated.. ' He has also acted as an examiner for the New Zealand TJniversity. As Chief Inspector of Schools in Taranaki he was also. Director of Technical Education, and organised classes in the ordinary branches of technical instruction. Without any models to guide him, he initiated in New Zealand systematic instruction in dairying with such success that officers of boards and others interested in dairy instruction werti recommended by the Department to visit the classes he organised and directed. He also initiated a system of training pupil teachers and teachers.. .. -

At the beginning of 1907 Mr. Spencer was appointed to the Department, and was editor of the "School Journal" from 1907 until 1918, when he became Officer-in-Charge of School Buildings. Mr. Spencer was a very keen- bowler, and was a member of the Thorndon Bowling Club.