THE LATE MR DYER

Waikato Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1190, 3 August 1912, Page 6

THE LATE MR DYER

The death of Mr R. C. Dyer, which a i announced in our issue of Thursday last occurred soon after noon on that day with startling suddenness, deprives Cambridge of one who was closely identified with the earlier days of the town. For more than 12 years Mr Dyer was headmaster of the Cambridge District High School, his resignation taking effect aa from October 31, 1901, and he was beloved and respected by all the scholars —now grown up-who under his able guidance qualified to take part in the battle of life. Before coming to Cambridge the deceased gentleman was for many years first assistant master at the Ponsonby School and in that district affectionate memories of “Toby” Dyer are still widely treasured. On severing bio connection with the Cambridge School Mr Dyer went north and took charge of the Kaitau school, but tiiree years later, on definitely retiring from the scholastic profession, ihe recollection of pleasant years spent in Cambridge induced him to return to the town for the purpose of taking up bis permanent abode therein. Other loan being subject to attacks of heart leisure Mr Dyer remained in good health to the last, and sitting in his chair he evidently passed peacefully away.

An active church-worker, Mr Dyer was recognised as the senior member nf St. Andrew’s Vestry, and, as layicadsr, he read the lessons at the Cnurch every Sunday. He was also a prominent freemason, having been one of the founders of the Lodge Alpha (Cambridge), of which he was a Past Master. ■

Mrs Dyer died in 1891, and lies buried in Cambridge Cemetery, where' the remains of the deceased gentleman will also be placed this afternoon. Mr Dyer leaves behind him an unmarried daughter and one son—Mr R. W. Dyer, Stipendiary Magistrate at Ualorua and formerly in practice as a solicitor in Cambridge. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH The late Mr 11. C. Dyer was Die elder son of the late Surgeon William Dyer, of the lion. Eabt India Company’s service, and was born at Berharupore, India, in 3834. Sent dome” for education, be was a pupil at Cheltenham College under the celebrated masteiship of the late Dr Dobson. He came out to New Zealand in 1863 in the old sailing-ship Joseph Fletcher, landing at Auckland, and his voyage was not without romance for soon after arrival in this country be was married. Die late Mrs Dyer having been a fellow-passenger on. the boat, Mr Dyer was one of the old pioneers of the Dominion and knew something of former years’ hardship in fanning, besides witnessing the gradual development of the Dominion. lltook up land on the Mahurangi 3 Kaipara Plats, and engaged in agricultural pursuits for more than 2i) years. For a portion of that time he was a member of the now extinct Auckland rtovincial Council as one of jive representatives for the Northern Division, Leaving the northern diatnci.. he entered into business life in Auckland, and then in 1880 became an official under the Auckland Education Board. Subsequent to holding positions at the Maungatawhiri, Coromandel and Ponronby Schools, he was appointed head-master of the Cambridge School in May 3889. AN APPRECIATION (Contributed.) Mr ■ Robert Coates Dyer,., whose lamented death , occurred on Thursday last, was one of a large family who came to New Zealand about the early ‘‘fifties” and settled in the Mahurangi district. For some years he was engaged in farming, when he shared all the hardships and difficulties incidental to the life of a pioneer settler —in the days when roads and bridges were still in the future, and whatever had to be done bad generally to be done by one s self. He afterwards removed to Auckland, where for some time he held the position of Secretary to the Standing Committee of the Anglican Church in the diocese, an office whose manifold duties he discharged with great punctuality and exactness. On certain official changes being made he joined the teaching staff of the Education Department, a work for which he was eminently fitted by his temperament and early training. He held various appointments under the Board—amongst others the head-mas-tership of the Cambridge School, his last charge being at Kaitala. Throughout his long career, Mr Dyer kept in very close touch with the Anglican Church. He’ was one of the senior lay readers of the diocese, having received his commission from Bishop Nelwyn, the first and only Bishop of New Zealand, For many years he has officiated in this capacity at St. Andrew’s, Cambridge, and at the time of his death he was one of the parochial nominators for this pariah. He cowft'nued his church work to the end, . and on Sunday last, as he stood at the lectern, there appeared to be no abatement in his powers; and bis clear enunciation and intelligent rendering of the lessons will long be missed. Of late years Mr Dyer has lived a somewhat retired life, but those who enjoyed the privilege of his friendship will remember his genial presence, his unfailing courtesy and his kindly disposition. P.W.