KING'S COLLEGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22241, 16 October 1935, Page 14

KING'S COLLEGE

HEADMASTER CHOSEN MR. J. N. PEART, M.A. GRAMMAR SCHOOL OLD BOY SCHOLAR AND ATHLETE At a special meeting of the St. John's College Trust Board, the governing body of King's College, held yesterday Mr. Joseph Norris Peart, B.A. (N.Z.), M.A. (Cambridge), second master at Epsom College, England, was appointed to fill the vacant position of headmaster of King's College. There were 17 applicants for the position. Mr. Peart is a New Zealander, having been born at Collingwood, Nelson, in 1900. At the ago of 14 he entered the Auckland Grammar School on an open scholarship, two years later winning a senior scholarship in open competition. In 1918 ho won a junior university scholarship, being eighth on the list for New Zealand, and entered the Auckland University College in the following year. While at the Auckland Grammar School Mr. Peart was appointed a school prefect, and in 1918 lie was appointed senior prefect. At the Grammar School ho was also prominent in sports and gained first fifteen colours. Rhodes Scholarship Nominee At Auckland University College Mr. Peart entered into every department of university life. In 1920 and 1921 he was a member of the university first fifteen, and he also gained his blue for athletics. In 1920 he was awarded a premium in applied mathematics, and in 1921 graduated bachelor of arts in mathematics, Latin, chemistry and economics, and was nominated for a Rhodes scholarship. | On leaving the university Mr. Peart was appointed junior science master at Nelson College, where he remained until 1924. While at Nelson College he represented the province at Rugby and was chosen to play in the All Black trials in 1924. At the. end of that year Mr. Peart entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he studied for the mathematical tripos and the natural science tripos, and graduated B.A. with honours in 1926. At Cambridge he played for the university fifteen. High Testimonials Mr. Peart joined the staff of Epsom College in 1926 as physics master, succeeding to the position of house master and officer commanding the Officers' Training Corps in the following year, and master in charge of Rugby football in 1928. The council of Epsom College decided in 1933 to create the position of second master, with definite executive duties and responsibilities, and, on the recommendation of the headmaster Mr. Peart was unanimously appointed to the post. The headmaster, in his testimonial to Mr. Peart, says that "he has more than justified our faith in him" in this position. Mr. Peart graduated M.A. in 1931. He is a married man with two children. Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, until recently headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, says of him: "J. N. Peart was a youth of such fine physique and dignity of bearing and had such high ideals .of life and work, in addition to his intellectual gifts, that I retain a vivid impression of him. My admiration of him was shared by the other members of the staff and by his contemporaries, who had for him the highest respect and esteem." The Rev. A. C. Powell, M.A., headmaster of Epsom College, says: "Since 1926 Mr. Peart has been a member of my staff, and from the very first has shown himself a master of exceptional promise and ability." v , Archbishop's Comments Epsom College is one of the newer English public schools of good standing, having been founded by Royal charter in 1855 on a foundation to help the sons of medical men for whom scholarships- are provided, but other boys are taken at the school. The school roll is approximately 350, mainly boarders, and there is a staff of 24. Archbishop Averill, in announcing the appointment to the Diocesan Synod last night, stated that Mr. Peart had been interviewed by the Rev. R. H. Hobday, his commissary in England, and by a Wellington layman who had just returned to New Zealand. "It is interesting that we have selected a distinguished old boy of the Auckland Grammar School, who has gained distinctions in, this country and in England," remarked the archbishop, amid applause. "I think you will agree with me that being a New Zealander with English experience is one of the best commendations for a headmastership. Mr. Peart is well known here by quite a number of people, and his appointment Mill bring" King's College into closer contact with the Grammar School. He has not yet accepted the position, but we have no doubt that he will do so, and we hope that he will be here at the beginning of the first term next year."