DEATH OF “WULLIE” GOODLET

Evening Star, Issue 23498, 12 February 1940, Page 6

DEATH OF “WULLIE” GOODLET

WELL-KNOWN UNIVERSITY CHARACTER Students of Otago University, many of them scattered far and wide, retain indelible memories of Mr William (Wullie) Goodlet, who passed away on Saturdav, at the age of 78 years. Mr Goodlet," or “ Wullie,” as he was best known, was laboratory assistant to the late Professor Black for many years, and as such came into contact with a largo number of students and members of the general public. There were few matters concerning the University with which he was not fully conversant, and many were his talks, in jovial mood, with students. Professor Black sometimes went into country districts lecturing, and it is recorded that on one occasion, when he had been unable to reach Queenstown at the appointed time, “ Wullie,” who had gone on ahead! to look after the professor’s apparatus, gave the lecture in his place. The professor, it is said, was not very pleased; but “Wullie” entertained Ins audience immensely, the lecture being a great success. Mr Goodlet left his job at the University for some years for other employment, but returned in 1913 as janitor of the Museum, a position which he held till he retired about 10 years ago.. At the Museum ho was a familiar figure to visitors, and he was never tired of expatiating on what he had done for the University of Otago. He knew its history well, and could talk- for long on happenings and professors and lecturers. At the annual capping carnivals he was always associated in the fun with the students, and nothing pleased him better than to be dressed m carnival attire and appear on the stage. Ho had a gift of picturesque speech that generally brought a number of interested and amused listeners around him.