OBITUARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17712, 16 May 1929, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MR. WILLIAM ROLLO GILLESPIE. TE KOWHAI ASSOCIATIONS. The announcement of the death of Mr. William Hollo Gillespie, formerly headmaster of the Te Kowhai and Horotiu Schools, which occurred this morning, will be received with widespread regret. Mr. Gillespie’s association with the Te Kowhai district will long be remembered by the settlers there. The late Mr. Gillespie took a leading part in the affairs of the community, and, as the headmaster of the Tc Kowhai School for some 2G years, earned the respect and esteem of children and parents. There were few movements for the progress of the district in which the deceased did not take an active interest, and his untiring efforts were responsible in no small measure for the growth of the district. Among other honorary positions, he was, for a number of years, secretary of the Te Kowhai Hall trustees, secretary of the Te Kowhai Farmers’ Club, and secretary of the Te Kowhai Sports Committee. As the representative of the Waikato Times for many years he did much to keep the interests of the district well in the forefront. The deceased was a prominent Rugby football enthusiast and in his younger days was a bicycle rider of note.

On leaving the Te Kowhai School, where he had seen its roll grow from less than 25 pupils to over 100, the late Mr. Gillespie was in charge of the Ilorotiu School for about a year. He retired on superannuation over 18 months ago. The late Mr. Gillespie was born at Thames, and on leaving school decided on school leaching as a career. He was at various times teaching at Waifekauri and Paeroa. He is survived by his widow and five children, four hoys and one girl.