OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 180, 1 August 1931, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR C. H. WARDEN The hand of death was fjt with distressing suddenness yesterday when Mr C. IL Warden, headmaster of the Wanganui East {School, and president of the Wanganui Metropolitan Rugby Union, coliapsed and passed away within a few minutes. Heart fauure was the cause. Mr Warden had left the school in company with his chief assistant, Mr F. C. Jannings, and before he reached home he was overtaken by a sudden seizure from which he never recovered. He rallied for a brief second or so, but died within a few minutes uf being taken ill The deceased gentleman was one who endeared himself to all by his striking personality in sport and in patriotism. lie was loved by scholars and staff for his staunch British outlook. His was the nature which responded readily to the lofty ideals inspired by Britain, that visioned manhood ami womanhood things to be cherished throughout life. Within his school he taught the spirit of Empire, quoting often the examples of British leaders, of British deeds, to inspire the rising generation to success. In every sense of the term, Air Warden’s school might have been termed a “School of Empire.” In sport his counsel was always moulded on a keynote of fair play. He sought the team that could succeed, but was not afraid to lose. Mr Warden was born in Brooklyn, Long Island, America, and was of Scottish parentage. Ho spent several years in the land of the heather with his mother’s poop | before coming to New Zealand. He settled originally in the South Island and studied in Dunedin, at the University and Training College. In 1886 he was appointed pupil teacher at the Alosgiel School, a post he retained until 1890. From 1891 to 1892 he was a student at the Normal School, Dunedin. He''first joined the teaching staff of tuc Wanganui Edu cation Board when he was appointed assistant master at Hawera in 1»93, the Wanganui district extending to that portion of Taranaki in those years. In 1898 he assumed the post uf assistant at the Campbell Street School, I’uimerston North, which he held until 1918. In that year he accepted his first duty as headmaster, taking charge of the Ohakune School. He was there a year and came to take charge at Aramoho in 1919. In 1921 he became headmaster at Queen’s I’ark. It was in 1924 that he was first appointed to Wanganui East ami he hcl<i that post I until the time of his death. Be was a teacher who was held in very high regard by the Board and by the inspectorate.

Mr Warden was a Rugby player of no mean calibre and when he gave up active participation in the game he turned his attention lo its management, serving in Manawutu and in Wanganui. He was vice-president of the Wanganui Metropolitan Rugby Union for a term and eventually was appointed president, accepting that post three years ago. He has seen the Union through a critical period in its finance ami successfully contested the presidency again last year to see matters in p'aced on a sound basis. Hockey and swimming also interested Mr Warden. lie was a keen player in the former sport for many years and in swimming he p.ayed an active part in Wanganui on tiic management of the centre. He was also a keen bowler and was a popular member of the Wanganui Bowling Club. Mr Warden possessed great organising ability and his work in this spiiere was often availed'of by the public. Lt was particularly valuable to Wanganui on tlie occasion of the visit ol the Duke and Ducjiess of York in 1926. Mr Warden •conceived the idea of so parading the school children us to turiu a living ‘‘rose of York” on Cook's Gai dens. He carried this scheme to fruition with such market! success i..at the children’s part in the wonderful wecome to those distinguished, visitors will live long in public memory. Ln the theatrical world, Mr Warden was an enthusiast. He was a member oi. the I'almerston North Operatic .Society and of the committee of the Wanganui Amateur Dramatic Society. lie was one of the founders of the Wanganui Competitions Suviety and was president for a term. In his capacity as president of the Metropolitan Rugby Union he displayed a full interest in Rugby in tno schools, doing everything lie possibly could to footer the game through the medium of the Primary Schools ; Rugby Union. He was founder of the Wanganui Primary Schools’ Athletic Association. It will be seen from reference to his many activities that Air War-icn was one who did much for the community in which he lived. He was taken at the age of 61 years and was celebrating his birthday on the day of his death. He died probably as lio vVouhl have wished—in harness and living up to those cherished ideals of sportsman ship which found so high a place in his regard. A sorrowing public will tender deep sympathy to his widow and family of three daughters. Rugby’s Tribute. A gloom was cast over the Wanganui Rugby Union at the sad new: of Mr Warden’s death ami when the executive committee met last night regret at the passing of so keen an officer was expressed by the president (Dr. G. J. Adams). There were several members of the Metropolitan Management Committee present. “It is the saddest duty that any officer of this union has ever had to perform,’’ said the doctor, in voicing the union’s sympathy and moving that a message of condolence be forwarded to Mi’s Warden and the family. The meeting observed a moment’s impressive silence in tribute to the memory of the deceased ami, by arrangement with the Metropolitan Union, it was unanimously resolved that all matches, other than those being played for charity, be postponed to-day. The meeting adjourned out of respect to the deceased.