SERVICE TO EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27447, 21 July 1950, Page 6

SERVICE TO EDUCATION

Sir Donald Cameron Retires

TRIBUTES FROM BOARD

“My mother was a great worker among children throughout Otago and New Zealand, and it was from her that I took my love for children,” said the Mayor, Sir Donald Cameron, yesterday, when replying to tribute* tendered him on his retirement from * the Otago Education Board. • Sir Donald i was a member of the board for 18 years. “I do not regret one moment of my service to education in Otago,” Sir Donald said, “ and after all these tributes today I feel that my , work was well worthwhile.” Sir Donald said that his work had been more than repaid by the enjoyment he had had "visiting schools and seeing children being taught how to become citizens and take their places in an ever-changing world. When he had joined the board there had been about 243 schools under its jurisdiction and there were very few he had not visited.

The chairman of the board,- Mr J. I. Fraser, said that Sir Donald was the oldest and most honoured member of the Otago Education'Board both in age and length of service. He had beconje a member of the Musselburgh School Committee 45 years ago and his service to education since that time had been a fine one. Besides being a member of the Education Board, Sir Donald was connected with the Otago High Schools’ Board and the University Council. Sir Donald had been connected with schools and school children in both the town and country and he was one of the few members who could claim he was as well known in country district schools as in city schools, Mr Fraser said. During his long service Sir Donald had been a tower of strength, and although burdened with multifarious civic duties he had always attended the board’s meetings.

Mr Fraser’s remarks were endorsed by Messrs J. Gerrie, H. R. Burns, J. V. Riach, R. R. Hunter and Mr C. R. McLean. All paid a gracious tribute to the assistance given Sir Donald by Lady Cameron.