OBITUARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17221, 3 October 1927, Page 6

OBITUARY.

WILLIAM HAROLD WORSLEY Following a brief illness, the death occurred at his residence, 28 Orakau Avenue, Epsom, yesterday, of William Harold Worsley, late headmaster of the Hamilton West School. The late Mr Worsley, who was 62 years of age, was a native of Manchester, England, and he came out to New Zealand with his parents, when quite' a boy. At the age of 15 he entered the service of the Education Department and gradually rose from pupil teacher to headmaster, in which capacity he served in different parts of New Zealand, including Papakura and Warkworth. His last charge was the headmastership of Hamilton West School, a post which he filled with distinction for 20 years. On his retirement a few years ago, there was a public demonstration in appreciation at the Hamilton Theatre Royal, where many speakers paid eulogies to the great services he had rendered the town. On that 'occasion he was made the recipient of numerous valuable presents, and general regret was expressed at his decision to take up his residence in Auckland. Last week Mr Worsley had a seizure from which he never recovered, and, as stated, he passed away yesterday. The late Mr Worsley leaves a widow, one daughter, Miss Lois Worsley and three sons, Herbert, Lenord and Rex, his eldest son, Harold, being killed at the front. The late gentleman's relatives will have the sympathy of a wide circe of friends, a' number of whom left Hamilton today to be present at his funeral.

AN APPRECIATION. BY AN EX-PUPIL. Mr Worsley, whose death is announced to-day, was beloved and highly respected by his pupils in Whom he took not only a collective interest, by striving to make the school work interesting in all branches, but as far as possible, each was carefully studied, temperament ability and health being taken into consideration with the result that fair treatment and kindly judgment were accorded. Many an ex-pupil has vivid recollections of being "sent to the headmaster" by an irate assistant teacher and of knocking at the door of the room with much trepidation, expecting severe punishment. In many cases a few words of caution and a little excellent advice were all that the culprit received, but somehow the way in which they were given and the personality of the master aroused in the most wayward a desire to "play the game" and to please instead of disappoint "the head." Mr Worsley had a remarkable faculty for remembering the names of his pupils. Even when the school, under his capable guidance, grew steadily until there were hundreds of pupils it was said that he knew each one's name, at least. A great interest was also taken by Mr Worsley in the former pupils, whose careers he watched closely.

KIRS JANE WRIGHT. PUKEKOHE, Sunday. The death occurred yesterday of Mrs Jane Edwards Wright, widow of the late Mr Jacob Henry Wright, a well-known pioneer of the Pukekohe district. Mrs Wright, who was in her 87th year, came to New Zealand with her husband from Cornwall, in the ship Bombay, 62 years ago. POL3CE SUPER2NTENDENT MURRAY AUCKLAND, Monday. The death has occurred of Police Superintendent Murray, aged GO. Mr Murray joined the force 3G years ago, serving first on the clerical staff at Chrislchureh. He succeeded the late Superintendent Mathieson here last December. Mr Murray enjoyed good health till three weeks ago, when an operation was found necessary.