THE REV. J. W. GILLETT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8835, 11 June 1907, Page 2

THE REV. J. W. GILLETT.

The Rev. J. W. Gillett, nows of whose death by being run over by a motor car at St. Kilda, near Melbourne, appeared in our yesterday’s issue, was well known to tbe older residents of Martou, where be was a very ' conspicuous ■ figure over 30 years ago. In the days when Haloombe and Feildiug were unknown, and Palmerston was but a village, tiie deceased was headmaster of the Martou public school. In that position lie rendered signal service to the cause of education on this coast. At that time an annual competitive examination of all schools for a district extending from about Patea to Foxton used to be held in Marton, and in that competition the now deceased gentleman took the keenest interest, and his pupils generally succeeded in attaining places of honour. Mr Gillett, after leaving Martou, proceeded to London, where he took his B.A. degree. For some years past he had been Rector of St. Matthew’s, Paddington, a very important and populous suburb of Sydney. The church of which he was Rector until the time of his unfortunate death last Sunday is built of stone, and is over 100 years old and seats 700 persons. The church and Rectory in the same ground are prettily situated, near the Centennial Park, overlooking the fashionable and picturesque bathing beaches of Bondi aud Ooogee. One of the ‘Rev. Gillett’s former pupils, who recently called upon him in Paddington, informs ns that time had dealt very kindly with his former master, who seemed almost as athletic as when resident in this district, and that hardly a grey hair was perceptible, aud the rev. gentleman’s welcome was cordial indeed. His powers of elocution, which were alway good, were even more marked than ever. After he left Marton the Rev. Gillett twice paid flying visits to the district, but it is now some years since be was in Marton. He leaves a widow’ and a son and daughter, who are resident at Paddington, and one son who is in Fiji. His family“are all grown up." For his sorrowing wife and family in their extremely sad bereavement heartfelt sympathy will be felt by the deceased’s friends and former pupils in this district. St. Kilda, where he was killed in the tragic manner cabled, is one of the wellknown beaches of Melbourne, and is, like Paddington, a scene of busy activity.