DR DON NOW INSPECTOR.

Evening Star, Issue 14039, 21 April 1909, Page 6

DR DON NOW INSPECTOR.

The Otago Education Board to-day appointed Dr J. "R, Don to the inspecting staff. The appointment was agreed to unanimously, to date from the first of next month.

All who know John Robert Don, or have heard of his work, must be satisfied that the Board have secured the services of one of the most brilliant men turned out of our universities. To the public at large Dr Don is best known as the rector of the Waitaki Boys' High School, for which school, during his nine years charge of it. he gained the highest honors, enlarging the attendance from 37 boys to 119 boys, and obtaining pupils from all over the' Dominion. In 1906 a bieak-down in health compelled the doctor to take a Ipng lest, and lie returned to New Zealand only last year, havine in the meantime travelled all over Europe C and the East, regained his health, and, in addition, gained the most valuable information on education in general and technical instruction in particular. In the scientific woild Dr Don is almost as well known. He has carried out much original research and his paper on auriferous lodes has gained him recognition in America and Europe, as well as throughout Australasia Dr Don was born in Victoria in < 1861. and nineteen years later he came to study at Otago University. He graduated BA. in 1386. and M.A. in 1887 with first class honors in chemistry. He gained the degree of B.Sc. in 1889, and that of D.Sc. in 1896. In 1895 he became a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineershe was elected F.C.S., London, in 1898' and F.G.S., London, in 1900. His career under the Otago Education Board wa s a notable epitome of his character and ability. He served as assistant in the South School; Oamaru, and in the Forbury, Normal, and Macandrew Road Schools. From 1895 to 1897 he was vice-president of the Training College, and at the latter date he went to Waitaki. These are the principal dates in the career of. the man whose services the Board have been fortunate enough to again secure.