FAIRNESS TO EVERYONE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 116, 19 May 1932, Page 5

FAIRNESS TO EVERYONE

LATE MR. W. A. COLLINS TRIBUTES TO HIS WORK A large number of letters expressing sympathy in the passing of the chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, Mr W. A. Collins, were read at yesterday’s mec.ing of the board. The letters were from the Minister of Education (Hon. R. Masters), Air S. G. Smith, ALP., other education boards and many school committees and other bodies connected with education in the board’s district. The chairman, Air E. F. Hemingway, said that before the ordinary business of the board was proceeded with he would move that the board place on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the cause of education in the Dominion in general and to the Wanganui education district in particular by the late chairman, Air W. A. Collins, and at the same time tender its deep and sincere sympathy to his family in their bereavement.

In moving the resolution the chairman said it was his good fortune to be associated with the late Air Collins for the past 16 years, he and Air Collins having been returned as members of the board in 1916. From that time onward, right up to the time of his death, the speaker was intimately associated with him and always found him ready to give of his best for the benefit of his country and his fellow men. Teachers and children alike had no better friend than the late chairman of the board. By his death they had lost one who was ever ready to cham pion them either at the board’s table or outside.

“If I were asked,” continued the speaker, “to name the most outstanding thing about Air Collins, I would say at once that it was his fairness to everyone. Possessed of shrewd, practical common sense, he looked at every question in an impartial manner, and it was seldom his judgment was at, fault. “It was because of this character istic that he was trusted by all and was respected and loved as well. He had an abundance of energy and carried out his duties as chairman of the board faithfully and well, often, I am afraid, at groat personal loss. “When I think of his energetic nature and the last few months of his life, when he was not able to get about, I am reminded of those lines of Sir Owen Seaman, written with regard to the late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, when the latter was lying on a sick bed at Mentone, shortly before his death. Sir Owen said: ‘Yonder, you know, far off he lies, Stretching his warm limbs in the sun. Watching with grave and prttient eyes, The slow hours pass him, one by one. Loth to believe his fighting days are done.’ “Much as we miss him, and we all miss him sorely, wo would not wish Air Collins back to spend his remain, ing days on a bed of sickness. We can only hope that the spirit which animated him will remain with us and that his work as a member of this board will be an inspiration to us all to carry on the work he loved so well.” The resolution was passed in silence and the board, adjourned for five minutes as a mark of respect to the late chairman.

Hospital Board’s Tribute Regret at the passing of Air W. A. Collins was expressed by Mr W. E. Broderick, chairman of the Wanganui Hospital Board at a meeting held yesterday morning. Air Broderick said that the late Air Collins was one of the most public-spirited men in the district. He had given time, money and energy to education and to the welfare of the rising generation. Air A. S. Coleman endorsed the chairman’s remarks. As a member of the Education Board, of which Air Collins was chairman, he had not met a man who had taken a keener interest in the children and in their education. He was especially attentive to children in the outlying districts, and it. was never too much trouble to him to visit outlandish places. Air Coleman thought that the Education Board would have a great deal of trouble in finding a man to take his place. “A finer man never walked,” was Air W. J. Rogers’ tribute.