40 YEARS' SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24049, 21 August 1941, Page 11

40 YEARS' SERVICE

MR. J. W. BENNETT RETIRES GRAMMAR SCHOOL MASTER "I feel I have earned a rest, and am looking forward to spending my time in the garden and on the bowling green," stated Mr. J. W. Bennett, popular form master at the Auckland Grammar School, who is retiring this week on superannuation after 40 years' service in the teaching profession. Due to celebrate his 63rd birthday next week, Mr. Bennett has been associated with the Grammar School for over 23 years, and during that time has served under four headmasters.

Born in Wolverhampton, England, he came to New Zealand at the age of five on the ship British Queen, landing at Wellington. Educated at the Greytown School, he won a district scholarship, which entitled him to a two years' course at the Wellington College, w T here he earned another scholarship giving him a further year's education there. Later he studied at Victoria and Auckland University Colleges. Mr. Bennett commenced teaching at Masterton in 1896, but five years later he decided to take up mining on the West Coast. In 1906 he resumed teaching under the Auckland Education Board, being appointed first to Maramarua and later to Glorit. Following a period in native schools at Pawarensa and Waima, he became a master at tlie Auckland Grammar School in 1918. Mr. Bennett was a keen footballer and cricketer in his youth. On different occasions he was chosen to represent Wairarapa, West Coast and Franklin in Rugby, but circumstances always conspired to prevent him taking the field. Farewell ceremonies by both the boys and the staff of the Auckland Grammar School have been arranged for this afternoon.