DIED AT HIS POST

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1929, Page 2

DIED AT HIS POST

■ ■i ji ■or * MASTER OF CLYDE QUAY SCHOOL... (Saturday’s ‘ ‘.Do minion.”) A tragically sudden death occurred yesterday morning at the Clyde Quay School when the headmaster, Mr Thomas Irvine, M.A., collapsed whilst engaged in his school duties. Mr Irvine had rung the bell at 10 a.in. lor the usual ten minutes’ play-time, and having done so, returned to his r.ovn prior to partaking ol his morning tup of tea with the s ail'. He was engaged in writing when he fell lorwarcl on to his desk. Yo one was in the room at the time, but one oi th© children passing the door heard an unusual sound and informed her teacher, Miss Bowers, who at once repaired to the headmaster s room to find Mr Irvine huddled forward on his desk in an unconscious condition. Mr H. It. Fisher, the chief assistant, was called in and Mr Irvine was lifted from the desk and laid upon a couch in the room, hut even as Mr Fisher deposited the stricken mail on the couch, and whilst still in his arms, Mr Irvine died. Dr J. S. Elliott was at once communicated with, and was on the spot within a few minutes of the occurrence, but could only pronounce life to be extinct. Mr T. Forsyth (the chairman of the Education Board) and Mr G. L. Steart (secretary) were also informed and visited the school. Subsequently the body was removed to a mortuary chapel. The late Mr Irvine M.A., F.R.E'.S., was a quiet, conscientious, hardworking and capable teacher and headmaster. For the greater part of his teaching life he had been in the employ of the Canterbury Education Board, and was headmaster of the Hokitika School when he was, four years ago. appointed to succeed Mr W. L. Foster as headmaster at Clyde Quay. Mr Irvine, who resided on the Crescent, Roseneatli, leaves a widow, two sons and a'daughter. m • •'-eiEE