OBITUARY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1427, 9 September 1918, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR T. S. FOSTER

The death occurred last evening of Mr Thomas Scholfield Foster, whose resignation of the position of Principal of the Normal Training College was accepted with deep regret by the Canterbury Education Board at its meeting on Friday last. The Jute Mr Foster was horn in London in 18553, and arrived at Wellington on Deember 01, 1856, with his parents in the ship Philip Lang. The family came at once to Lytteltou, and settled in Canterbury. Mr Foster commenced his education at the Rangiora Church School, and having gained a Somes Scholarship, removed to Christchurch to attend Christ's College for six years. Ife was appointed master of the Church School at Addington, and in 1*74, when it was taken over bv the

West Christchureh School Committee, lie was appointed first assistant master at the main school. In May, lssi, he joined the staff of the - Christcliurch Boys' High Sidiool, and a year later he returned to the West Christcliurch S(diool as headmaster. Mr Foster graduated B.A. at Canterbury College in 188.1, and in the following year he took his M.A. degree with first-class honours in languages and literature. He had been a member or the New Zealand Educational Institute for many years, serving on the executive and holding the position of president on several occasions. Tie had also been president of the North Canterbury Education Institute, Canterbury College Dialectic Society, and of the University Court of Convocation. He was chairman also of

the Canterbury College Graduates' As soeiation, and a member*-of the govern jin ft' body of Christ's College. Foster was appointed inspector of schools iii North Ciiuter bury on leaving the West ("mist church School and, eventually, on the death of Mr T. Ritchie, he becam< senior inspector. When Mr Watkins died suddenly, Mr Foster was appointed Principal of the Normal Training ('idl?ge. W Inh occupying :he pesii'on id inspector. Mr Foster was unable to participate in the affairs of the Teachers' Institute, but alter Ids appointment jto the Training College lie again took lan active interest in the work, and was appointed youth Island representative of male teaidiers on the Council of Education when it was i'ornieil. lie wa« a prominent Freemason and a pa-d Warden of the Grand Lodge of Carte: bury. For many years Mi- Foster was a member of the vestrv of St. Michael's Church, of which he was a promiuent member, and retired onlv ;■<■- c( ntly, on account of ill-health. ' Thlate Mr Foster took a particularly keen interest in the All.ion Rugby Football Ciub- now the Albion Addiiigton Club -and gave yeoman service to it in many ways. For many years lie was president of the club, and was then patron of it, occupying these positions for about .'id years in all. The deceased gentleman was married in iN.'ej to a daughter of the late Mr W. Gui-e Rritla.li. His wife predeceased him b\ :j I years, leaving a family of one son and two daughters.