TRAGIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 601, 25 November 1909, Page 2

TRAGIC.

DEATH OF AN INSPECTOR

Mr D. J. Cooper, Principal Senior Inspector of the Department of Public Instruction of New South Wales, died suddenly while in the act of addressing the boys of Fore Street School, Mr Cooper was apparently in the best of health. As he entered the boys gave him a rousing welcome, and clamoured for a speech. He prophesied success for the boys at their examination. “I would say to you in the words of a great educationist,” he went on, but the words remained unsaid. He stopped, breathed heavily for a moment, and fell back into the arms of ex-Senior Inspector Lobban, and Inspector S. H. Smith. Dr, Storie Dixon, who was present; hurried forward, but nothing could be done, and in a few moments Mr Cooper was dead. The boys filed out noiselessly, and immediately cancelled the annual dinner which was to have been held at night. It is a remarkable coincidence that exactly twelve months ago, after delivering an address at Ford Street, Mr Cooper had a seizure and for some weeks was in a critical state. He had a remarkable recovery, however, and during Mr Board’s absence in America was attached to the head office. His services proved so valuable that he has since been retained there.