THE RETIREMENT OF DR HISLOP.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3567, 6 March 1886, Page 3

THE RETIREMENT OF DR HISLOP.

« (Evening Post) The retirement of i)v Ilislop from the position of Secretary of Education is an tvent which deserves more than a pnssing notice, lliero havo been few men m this colony who?o lives have been more usefully spent, or who have left a greater or better impress upon the character of its people. Mr Ilislop was one of the first two trained schoolmasters who woro brought out by the Otago Provincial Government. In tho small schoolhonso erected on tho Tnieri Plain, and which also supplied the placo of a church for one of tho first two Presbyterian clergymen who came out to assist the Her. Dr Burns, Mr Hirlop labored for many years, and there ar<) throughout the colony now, hundreds of men and women who look back with gratitude to tho kindly but thorough inetruction they derived from him as children, and to which they not unjustly attribute much of their after success m life. Although thu disadvantages of the position were great, there have boen few schools m the colony which did better work than tho old Tnieri schoolhouse when Mr John Hislop was its master. Ilia namo Boon became v household word throughout <'t»go, and when m tho lapse of years the educational Bystem of that provinco extended to largo dimensions, Mr Ilislop was by common consent culled on practically fo administer it. So when m doe courso the Province gave way to the colony and the present educational system of New Zealand wai established, the ability, zeal, and experience of Mr Hislop were fortunately taken advantage of to umlcrtalso its organisation and direct, its administration. How conscientiously and successfully ho fulfilled the difficult task wo need not here narrate. His services to the colony, and to tho causo of education throughout the world, have been inestimable, and it was with great pleasure that the people of New Zealand learned of their recognition m the Doctor's degree which was conferred upon him somo lime ago by tie University of Edinburgh. Dr Hislop is now about to i-etiro from the public service, full of years and of honor m tho hearts of his fellow colonist", to whom he ha* set a noble example of a useful and a well-spent life. Wo but echo tl'e universal feeling of tho public when wo express a hope that, although relieved from active official wori, Dr Hislop may yet enjoy many happy years m tho quiet retirement which he so well deserves afler his long and active earoer m the public service.