MASTER AND FRIEND

Evening Star, Issue 20666, 13 December 1930, Page 13

MASTER AND FRIEND

THE LATE MR MUNGO WATSON i MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED The late Mr Mungo Watson, for many years a prominent figure on the teaching staff of the Otago Boys’ High School, had one of those rare personalities which win for their happy possessors not only respect and admiration, hut also something strongly akin to life-long reverence. Old boys, of the school—some of them now resident, m distant lands —will remember Mr Watson as one who was always their true friend as well as their kindly master. A fitting tribute to the memory ot a man who was beloved by all with whom ho came in contact was pauj yesterday afternoon at the school prize-giving ceremony, when Mr John O Shea handed over the memorial tablet which has been presented to the school by tho Wellington branch of tho Old Boys Society. The school hall and main corridor now harbour an imposing array ot such memorials, and it is certain that their great value will ho further enriched by tho addition of tho name of Mr Mungo, Watson. In the course of his address Mr O’Shea said that while he appreciated fully tho honours conferred on him by being asked to address tho school, he had to sav that the real occasion ot his visit was 'to hand over the memorial which had been presented by the W ellington branch of tho Old Boys’ Society to tlio school in memory ol the Jato Mungo W’atson. , ... The existence of this branch m Wellington though it had not been manifest except at intervals, had been continuous since 1891 or 1395. 'file torch had been kept alight by Mr George Fachc, who was the greatest enthusiast in Wellington, and perhaps in New Zealand, in preserving the traditions ot tho best memories ot the school. At present he was absent from New Zealand, but it was largely duo to his influence and persistence that the W cjlington branch was as enthusiastic ns it was now. This branch bad conceived the idea of doing annually something to build up these traditions, and the idea was to initiate tho scheme by a memorial to tho Jato Mungo W’atson. “Mungo Watson was a great scholar and had great success in Edinburgh, whore, according to the late Professor (filmy, ho ranked as equal to Professor Mackail, ono of the greatest modern authorities on the classics in England, said Mr O’Shea. ... “After a short period of teaching in Scotland lie came to Otago in JSSd, and the best of his life was, given to tho teaching of Latin in this school. When f came hero in 18S9 I can remember him in the hey-day sjf his manhood and intellectual vigour, with his beautiful clear-cut features and his raven locks. He was the embodiment of fairness and courtesy. Ho was tho perfect master of his subject, and ho was able, whore boys were willing to learn, to initiate them into the mysteries of that most difficult of all subjects, Latin.” (Applause.) “There wore other lino masters of tlio school. I do not wish to mention them all, but I wish to refer to tlio late Mr W. B. W’illiams, whoso industry was indefatigable. llis learning was profound, and Ids kindness of heart was exceptional. “Also I dcsiro to refer to our friend, tho Hon. G. M. Thomson, who spent his, life for more than thirty years in the service of the hoys’ and girls’ schools of Otago, and who has since been an ornament to both Houses,, ot tho Legislature in New Zealand. He is with us and can still remember the wonderful beauty of Mr Watson’s character and the depth and profoundness of his learning. All masters and boys alike recognised Mr Watson's attainments, and appreciated more than anything his intellectual modesty. “ The memorial that I was about to hand over reads as follows;

Integer Vitae Scolcrisquc'Burns. In Memory of Mungo Watson, M.A., Edin.. A Master of this School 1886-1 Oil), Who died 10th September, 1911), Aged 62. His life was gentle, and tho elements so mixed up in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world “ This was a man.” Erected by Wellington Old Boys, 1960. “ These mottos 1 personally selected,” concluded Mr O’Shea. “Tho first motto, “ Integer vitae scolerisqno purus,” which I translate as Perfectly upright in life and I'roo from serious fault,”.is perfectly applicable to tho late Mi Watson, and the second quotation, “His life was gentle and tho elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and'say to all tho world “ This was a man,” ’ can be said of him with perfect truth. Mr Watson’s teaching was characterised by scholarship, charm, fairness, and industry. His work has been reflected in the success of his students. Tho tablet was accepted by tho rector (Mr W. J. Morrell), wiiq, in voicing his appreciation oji the gilt, said that Air Watson was. to Ids last day of teaching, one of tho best-beloved masters in the school. The Chairman (Dr' G. E. Thompson) road several tetters which had been sent by former colleagues of Mr Watson. |