THE NEW RECTOR OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 3761, 13 March 1875, Page 2

THE NEW RECTOR OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.

We have been permitted to publish the following communication from the Home Agent:— ■

I have, after full consideration, and with the best assistance I could procure, selected out of a list of candidates, amounting to very nearly seventy, Mr William Nome, A. M., classical master m the Edinburgh Collegiate Institution, to be Rector of the High School of Dunedin! Candidates were allowed to give in their applications till the 21st of December, and I would immediately thereafter have proceeded to the consideration of their testimonials, but unfortunately on that very day I met with a somewhat serious accident in Glasgow, which disabled me from reading or considering the applications for some time. As soon as it was m my power, however; I gave the whole of the testimonials my best consideration, and after selecting out of the whole a considerable number whom I thought most likely, and madespecialinqumes regarding them, was that Mr Nome appeared to me decidedly the most suitable applicant and accordingly with the full approval of Dr Donaldson, Rector of the Royal High School here, and of Dr Harvey, Rector of the RdmbimghAcademv,! offered the appointment to Mr Nome, which he accepted. He holds a degree of the University of Edinburgh, and took a highly honorable position in theUniversmes of Edmborgh and Glasgow. He has had great experience in teaching, and I have been personally assured by many persons, on whom reliance, and whose sons have been uuder his charge, that they have been thproghly satisfied with the progress made by them. I received also variousletters from private friends, and of these I enclose one from David Maclaggan. Esq., manager of the Edinburgh Life Assurance Company, a gentleman of the highest character and standing, a scholar himself, and a director of the Edinburgh Aoa“®my> hi which he speaks strongly- in Mr Nomes favor. I also enclose a letter from Dr Bryce, rector of the Edinburgh Collegiate Institution,than which no recommendation can be stronger. Dr Bryce I know has given this fcestamonial honestly, and with no other view than to promote Mr Nome’s welfare, whose departure he assured me would be a serious loss to himself. There was a large number of applications from candidates in England and from a few in Ireland. Many of the former wefe unquestionably -judging from "beir testimonials—men of ability and learning, though for the most pact excelling chiefly in mathematics and holding Cambridge degrees. They were all, or nearly all, in and it appeared to me that, as a rule, it is safeifthata teacher of a school, such as the High School, should have no other object or occupation than the exclusive one of promoting the interests of the institution with which he is connected. And besides, I had not the same bppportunities of making full inquiries regarding them which experience has shown me is absolutely necessary, irrespective of testimonials, however good. On the whole, I trust the selection has been a proper one, and I feel cbnfident that Mr Nome goes to the Province with the firm pesolution to promote the interests , of the High School, to restore its efficiency and extend its " n ’ ■fe Norrie I am inrn™ v ®ry vvell qualified to superintend and manage a boarding establishment. . The printed testimonials of Mr Notrie moludethose by Dr Bryce, L.LD., D.C.L., r. R. S. E., redtor of the Edinburgh Collegiate fechool, the late Dr Candlish, the present and former masters of the Edinburgh Collegiate School, Lord Balfour of "Burleigh, Mr, tiryca, of Balipl College, Oxford, the late Di* Nesbit, of the Rev. Dr Crawford, of the University of Edinbnrgh;; .and Hev. Dr M‘oulloch, of Greenock, Dr Bryce ‘ principal of the* Edinhiirfih Collegiate SithboC writes of him ‘ k He : the 1 very* man ;f® r the place. He wsm ,|ai, high jttmVersitv! reputation hsis4pi scholar iit, Latin wid . Greek, , and 13 0(013.; ,y M eod to; mathematics, English and ihodor* kpgua^es

«fedhiaa»«MhM»; j*®, 18 , and able teacher, he has fwJ*® “P® o6 * o ® In public tuition, and circumstances seem to me to point to Mr tbA t oalonkthdto win the respect and the Confidence of a commumty, and to raise the character and extend the usefulness of the High School.,of Hun- ’ ; \ - Beem t0 to be very fortunate m having the* offer of the services of a man who has been so .well-, tested, and whose appointment would be no risk but a certain success.” Professor Maclagan writes, 4 ‘lt seems to me doubtful if you are likely to find in another the same combination of classical gtainments, power ©f conveying instruction, vigorous mental power, and high moral worth. He would certainly impart a character and repute to the school over he presided, as well as make his fhark in the general Community. I almost won-i der at his leaving the country, but - he has a great fancy for OolCnial life.” The late Dr Candlish says of Mr Nome, ** I hold him in very High esteem, and have' jibe fullest confidence in his character and quailfications.”