NOTABLE RECORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21617, 9 October 1933, Page 10

NOTABLE RECORD

DR. W. S. LITTLEJOHN DEAD DISTINGUISHED HEADMASTER NELSON COLLEGE SERVICE The death of Dr. William Still Littlejolm, a distinguished educationist and one of the most talented headmasters New Zealand has known, is reported in a Press Association message from Melbourne. Dr. Littlejolm died from pneumonia, fallowing an attack of influenza. Ho was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and attended the Grammar School, Aberdeen. He completed his education at King's Cc liege, University of Aberdeen, where ho took the degrees of bachelor of arts and master of arts.

Dr. Littlejolm came to New Zealand in 1882 and joined the staff of Nelson College as mathematical and science master. In 1899 he became headmaster of the college, and retained that position until he left for Melbourne in 1903, after 22 years at the college. During these years he established a reputation that is probably unequalled in this country. Ho exercised a profound influence not only on boys and staff, but on tho people of Nelson. His inspiring influence in a scholastic sense is shown by the fact tbat a large number of tho foremost headmasters New Zealand has produced in tho last generation were pupils or masters under him. Distinguished Collegians

Among those who studied under Dr. Littlejohn or were assistant masters during his term as headmaster of Nelson College were Mr. F. Milner, rector of the Waitaki Boys' High School; Mr. C. H. Broad, who has recently retired from the position of headmaster of Nelson College; Mr. J. P. Firth, who held the position of headmaster of Wellington College; Mr. W. H. Moyes, headmaster of the New Plymouth High School; and Mr. C. T. Major, formerly headmaster of King's College. Lord Rutherford of Nelson, the distinguished scientist, also studied under bim for some time. On two occasions when Dr. Littlejohn was headmaster, boys from Nelson College headed the university entrance scholarship list for New Zealand.

• Dr. Littlejohn's interests were by no means confined to the scholastic side of the school life, however. For many years he was the mainstay of the school cricket team, and was an authority on Rugby football, both as a coach and a referee. He was one of the most respected and ablest presidents the Nelson Rugby Union has had. He was very interested in military matters, and during his term as headmaster the school cadet corps, of which he was captain, reached a high standard of efficiency. The corps formed the guard of honour for the present King and Queen at the military review held in Christchurch on the occasion of their visit to the Dominion in 1901. He also was captain and adjutant of the Nelson volunteer district. Four pupils coached by him obtained commissions in the Indian Army direct fiom the college. Fine Record In Melbourne The position at Nelson College was relinquished by Dr. Littlejohn in 1903 after five years as headmaster, during which time the attendance at the school had doubled and the number of boarders trebled. In 1904 he was appointed principal of Scotch College, Melbourne, which position he held until the time of his death. At a meeting of the council of that college last month it was announced that Dr. Littlejohn intended to retire at the end of the year after 30 years' service as principal. _ The resolution passed at the meeting is a striking tribute to the respect and esteem with which ho was held throughout Australia.

The resolution ran:—"Under Dr. Littlejohn's administration the number of pupils at this college has increased almost five-fold, but so marked were his gifts and so great his powers of organisation that each successive stage in the school's growth has been anticipated and prepared for. The striking academic achievements of boys from the school during his term of office need no emphasising. A great headmaster, he will lay aside the cares of office secure in the affection of present and old boys alike, and in the respect of the whole community. He' leaves a lasting record of educational work well and truly performed." It was also resolved that a chapel to be called "The Littlejohn Chapel" be erected in the school grounds as a tribute to his work. He was a member of the Council of the University of Melbourne. Dr. Littlejohn passed through Auckland in February of this year, and was met by a number of his old pupils. He was at that time in excellent health. His eldest son, Mr. C. W. B. Littlejohn, has had a distinguished career. He was a Victorian Rhodes scholar, and holds degrees in arts, science, medicine and surgery at Oxford University. He rowed in two winning crews for Oxford against Cambridge, and was awarded tho Military Cross and the Belgian Croix de Guerre during the Great War. Another son, Mr. E. I. Littlejohn, a graduate in medicine and surgery of the Univerity of Melbourne, also saw service during the war.