OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 August 1946, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR. JOHN TEMPLETON ROBSON. The funeral of the late Mr. John Templeton Robson, who died at Christchurch on August 9, took place in Wanganui this week. The late Mr. Robson spent his early years in Wanganui. His parents, the late John and Marion Robson, came to New Zealand when he was an infant and soon afterwards settled here. Mr. Robson was educated at the Victoria Avenue School, where he began his career as a teacher under the late Mr. James Ail ken. He was headmaster successively of schools at Fordell, Halcombe and Ashhurst. While at Halcombe his school became noted for its emphasis on agricultural education, and was designated a model school for the Wanganui Education board’s district. At that time, Mr. Robson, in addition to his normal teaching duties, travelled to other schools in order to impart instruction in agriculture. When he retired in 1934, he was the headmaster of the Wairoa District High School, Hawke’s Bay.

Mr. Robson had a wide diversity of interests. As a young man he was very prominent in Wanganui rowing circles, being an enthusiastic member of the Wanganui Rowing Club. He was an active member of Wanganui Football Club and of the Victoria Regina Cricket Club. He was a representative player in hockey and in cricket. He and the late Mr. Arthur Blyth were associated in several expeditions into the upper reaches of the Wanganui River. While in Foxton, Mr. Robson was a keen member of the Volunteer Rifles.

In later life he took an active part in the executive sphere of sport. He was president of the Wairoa Old Boys’ Football Club, and a member of the Wairoa Rugby Union. He was keenly interested in fostering basketball and was a foundation member of the Wairoa Basketball Association. Mr. Robson was prominent in Masonic circles, particularly when resident in the Manawatu district. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Margaret C. Robson, sons, Dr. John L. (Wellington)* and Messrs. lan L. (Wanganui) and Keith R. (Auckland) and daughters, Miss Marion Robson, Mesdames Margaret Spear, Beryl Richards and Jean Neithe.