RECTOR OF WAITAKI

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25458, 12 February 1944, Page 7

RECTOR OF WAITAKI

MR MILNER’S RETIREMENT RESIGNATION TENDERED (Special) OAMARU, Feb. 11. Mr Frank Milner (rector cf Waitaki Boys’ High School) has tendered his resignation to the Waitaki High Schools' Board of Governors. The board will hold a special meeting as soon as possibie to consider various matters connected with the change at the school. In a letter to the chairman of the board (Major H. S. Orbell), Mr Milner stated that, feeling as he did that the unconditional surrender of Germany this year was inevitable, he considered that the circumstances justifying his continuance in office as rector no longer operated. He had now completed 47 years of teaching service, and over 50 if the period of his university training for the profession was included. For 37 years he had held the rectorship at Waitaki. In tendering his resignation, to take effect at the 'end of the current year, Mr Milner added, he was considering the interests of the school. The board wouid have ample time to make the change smrothl.v and efficiently. He assured the board of his full co-operation towards that end. Notification of the vacancy would easily reach in time all teachers In the N.Z.E.F. on overseas service, as well as those In the Dominion. Moreover, the visa in the grading of the school would make the position more attractive. He was aware that his withdrawal must receive the confirmation of the Cabinet, but at this stage of the war that would be regarded as a mere matter of form. The school was in a very flourishing condition, with a record roll, first-class equip l ' l ot. and a good staff, ‘ continued Mr Milner. There was every indication of a continuance of such prosperity. Tf would certainly be In the interest of the Board of Governors to fake over at. the end of this year the whole control of f.l>.-' institution—residential as well as scholastic—and to inaugurate a new rectorship. He was very conscious that, in aliening him to continue to the present on almost unique terms, concluded <VIi Milner, the -Board of Governors hao renosed in him confidence and given him support which had been signal evidence -f appreciation. H? wns, therefore, grateful, and was proud also to be able to hand back this charge to the board, amplified and enriched.