The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1909.

Evening Star, Issue 14039, 21 April 1909, Page 4

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1909.

The Otago Education Board are singularly fortunate in securing the services of Dr J. It. Don as Inspector of .Schools to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr W. S. Fitzgerald. Indeed, while tendering our congratulations to the new inspector, we cannot but feel that it is the Board, the teaching profession, and the parents and school teachers of Otago who should be specially felicitated. Dr Don's distinguished record as a scholar and practical educationist bears ample witness to the calibre of his intellectual and personal qualities; and, in our zeal for the interests of educa-tion in this Province, we frankly rejoice that his connection with the service, unfortunately broken by physical weakness three years ago, is now to be restored with the brightest auspices. The signal powers of mind and heart which he displayed as a teacher, from the time of his first assistantship to the day (twenty-six years later) when he was compelled reluctantly to resign the rectorship of the Waitaki High School and seek a change of scene and occupation, are sure to be exercised with notable effect in his new position. Teachers and pupils will find lum at once shrewd, conscientious, sympathetic, and considerate; while his magnetic quality, so to speak, and his capacity for giving vivid and pregnant force to all his work and influence, cannot fail to help the general cause of educational progress. We say advisedly that it is hardly possible to conceive a better appointment; and the publicsense of satisfaction will be enhanced by the reflection that Dr Don owes the most important part of his training to the University of Otago, where the tradition of his scientific acquirements and his brilliant promise still survives. It was no'delusive promise, as is shown by the record of a quarter of a century's work and distinction; and we are confident that it will be fulfilled, in the strictest sense of the term, now that the successful scholar and schoolmaster lias been promoted (though perhaps the word is not exactly appropriate) to the inspectorial office, "Ave atque vale!"—in welcoming the new inspector we bid a respectful and appreciative farewell to his esteemed predecessor. The value of Mr W. S. Fitzgerald's lifework in the cause of education in this Province, and throughout the Dominion, was set forth in adequate terms by Mr D. R. "White and other speakers at the Art Gallery on Friday night, when 150 teachers (representing 250 more) paid valedictory tribute to -the helpful and faithful friend of many years. Mr Fitzgerald has been genuinely successful as an inspector, but Mr White justly noted that " it was as the first rector of the "Training College that he did bis "greatest and most responsible work." J That work lives and bears good fruit | to-day in hundreds of New Zealand schools; and the consciousness of this pervasive and abiding effect, as well as the tangible manifestation of respect and gratitude, will, we may be sure, be a comfort to Mr Fitzgerald in his retirement. We must not omit to make particular mention of the part taken j by the retiring inspector, when lie was at the Normal School, in the task of | forming an operative connection be- J tween primary education and the University classes. The task lias not yet been fully completed, but it was truly stated on Friday night that Mr Fitzgerald was the first to try to bring the average school teacher into touch "with the higher educational opportunities. He was a pioneer in many respects; and, whatever may be the case elsewhere, Otago is gratefully disposed to its pioneer workers. We heartily associate ourselves with Mr White's" happy expression of good wishes—" peace and happiness and content."

inspector Don and Ex-Inspector Fitzgerald.