MR A. A. WEDDE.

Marlborough Express, Volume LXVIII, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 4

MR A. A. WEDDE.

Prominent as a membei\ of the - teaching profession in Marlborough and Wellington over a lengthy period of years, Mr Albert A. Wedde, of Weld street, passed away yesterday afternoon, following a lengthy illness. The deceased, who was 53 years of age, had been in failing health for some two years when a breakdown cau^ed his retirement from the position of headmaster of The Terrace School Wellington. The late Mr Wedde was well and favourably known throughout Marlborough, and particularly in Blenheim, where he was stationea as a teacher at the central school for a term of eleven years. Widespread sympathy will be extended to the family and relatives in their bereavement. The deceased was born at Wellington, being the third son of the late Mr and Mrs H. A. Wedde, of Wellington, and was educated at the Te Aro School and Wellington College. Taking up school teaching as a profession, he was at the Thorndon School, Wellington, and the' Waihakeke School, Wairarapa, prior to coming to Blenheim as first assistant at the. Blenheim School in 1908. He continued in this position until 1919, when he was appointed as organisingteacher for Marlborough under the Wellington Education Board, taking up his residence in Picton. Whilst in this position he paid regular visits to all the sichools in the district, and made many friends in all parts of the' province. In 1928 the' late Mr Wedde accepted an appointment as headmaster of the Miramar South School, Wellington, and after three years he was appointed to a simiiar position at The Terrace School, but a breakdown in health compelled his retirement after some 18 months, when he returned to Blenheim to reside. As a teacher he was thorough and capable, and the large numbers of pupils who passed under his care had reason to be grateful for the influence which he exerted both inside and outside the school. In the field of sport he. speeialised in cricket, but he was closely interested in Rugby as an offlcial whilst in Blenheim. Both at Wellington College and after he was a prominent batsman and wicketkeeper, and during his residence in Blenheim he' played for the Wairau Cricket Club and was a provincial representative. He wfs a member of the Marlborough Rugby Union and Referees' Association, and was a senior selector for a period. He was connected with the Blenheim Swimming Club as an offlcial, and was a member of the Blenheim and Picton bowling clubs. He held a commission in the Volunteers. The de.ee ased had considerable musical ability, and, besides having a compcsition published by a. well-known Australian firm, he composed several melodies for the school song book He took a special interest in school music, and was responsible for the production of several excellent operettas by the Blenheim School pupils. For some years he was choirmaster at the Church of the Nativity, Blenheim, and acted in a simiiar capacity whilst at Picton, The deceased leaves a widow and one daughter— Mrs N. M. Rabone, of Blenheim— and two sons— Messrs F A. Wedde, of Balclutha, and P. A Wedde, of Blenheim. He is also survived by one sister— Mrs R, Alanson, of Matiere, King Country — and four brothers— Messrs R. A. Wedde, of Hawke's Bay, W. F. and H. C. Wedde, of Kaitieke, King Country, and H. E. Wedde, of Oamaru. The interment takes place at the Omaka Cemetery to-morrow morning at 10.30 o'clock.