DEATH OF AIR R. J. O'SULLIVAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 418, 9 November 1889, Page 4

DEATH OF AIR R. J. O' SULLIVAN.

Auckland, Nov. 5. This afternoon the report of the death of Mr B. J. O'Snllivan, late Inspector of Schools in the Auckland district, reached this office. The deceased gentleman has been in precarious health for some time past, and a few days ago suffered a paralytic stroke, from the effect of which he died this morning. Nearly everyone v in the province knew Mr O'Sullivan personally or by sight, his long connection with educational matters having brought him in contact with children and parents during the last 20 years. Some particulars of his career as a colonist will therefore be of interest to our readers, the younger of whom will nearly all at cne time or another have been examined by him as to their educational attainments. Mr O'Sullivan came to this colony originally about the year 1861, from Ireland. He wasa University man, and hi<* educational attainments led him to engage in the profession of teaching in Auckland He established St. Patrick's College in Hobsonstreet and for several years carried on that establishment, having among his pupils many of those known now as leading citizens. The late John Sheehan, the wellknown politician, was one of his pupils. He afterwards gave up teaching and accepted an appointment on the "Southern Cross," but in a short time gave up that position to become clerk and librarian to the Provincial Council, succeeding Mr Powditch in that position. In 1869 the Provincial Council passed an Act establishing "common schools " in place of the old denominational system, which had come to an untimely end. Mr O'Sullivan's previous work as a teacher pointed to him as being one likely to give trreat assistance in the establishment of theso schools, and he bocame, in addition to his other offico, Secretary to the Central Board of Education established under the Act. About 1870 he gave up his clerkship and devoted himself solely to the work of education. In 1872 another Act was passed by the Provincial Council, and Mr O'Sullivan up the position of Secretary to the Board to become Inspector of Schools, being succeeded in the secre taryship by Mr F. J. Moss. As Inspector, Mr O'Sullivan rendered incalculable service to the cause of education in Auckland. He travelled to every part of the province inquiring into the necessities of each little district, raising funds, rousing the people in the cause, reporting, organising, and building up the system, much as it exists in Auckland at the present time. He had very small funds to work with and the people were poor, so that his work in getting them to build their own schools, etc., was by no means easy. But his quick perception, great organising powers, quiet common sense and general urbanity made him a great favourite with the country settlers of the old regime, as well as with the teachers whom he controlled. We are apt to forget those to whom we owe most, but old settlers, and children now grown to manhood, are not likely to forget the services done to education in Auckland by R. J. O'Sullivan. When after the abolition of provinces in 1876, the Education Act of 1877 was passed by the General Government, and a central department for education was established in Wellington, Mr O'Sullivan was ottered the appointment of InspectorGeneral of schools for the colony ; but he had, as it were, taken root in Auckland, and was so devoted to his work here, that he refused the offer of promotion, and he continued to fulfil the duties of Inspector in this district till 1888, in July of which year he retired to a wellearned repose, being voted at the time a unanimous expression of thanks by the Board of Education for his past services. One of the best works done for education in the district by Mr O'Sullivan was the compilation of a little manual for teachers entitled "Instructions for the Guidance of Teachers." Many a teacher throughout the province has to thank Mr O'Sullivan for giving him through thislittle book, athorough grounding in his profession. And it is interesting to know that only a few weeks ago Mr O'Sullivan, at the request of the present Board, who found that the work was nearly out of print, revised his little book for publication again, receiving tho thanks of the Board last week for so doing. Since his retirement from the Inspectorship Mr O'Sullivan has been living very quietly at his residence at the Three Kings, near Onehunga, where he passed away at 8 a.m this morning, at the age of 61 years. He leaves besides his wife, three sons and three daughters, all grown up, to mourn his loss. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon at 3 p.m., in the Symonds-stroet Cemetery.

A report from Sir John Bates Thursfcon, who acts as Consul-General to the Tonga Islands, has been issued in England. Ifc deals with the trade of the archipelago for the past two years, and gives statistics. The year 1888 was a prosperous one for Tonga, owing to a good yield from the cocoanut trees. The principal characteristic of the trade of the year was a great increase in British exports and in the quantity of trade passing through the hands of British merchants. The total imports amounted to £48,736 in 1888, against £31,716 in 1887. Of these £36,986 and £23,999 respectively came from British possessions ; £24,672 worth came in 1888 to British importers, against £17,313 to German. The exports of Tongan produce rose from t3'1,489 in 1887 to £66,473 last year. Of the latter value, Germans exported £34,965, and British £30,634. Of the imports in 1888, New Zealand sent £23,181 ; Samoa, £8,750 ; New South Wales, £8,379 ; Great Britain, £3,087; San Francisco, £2,750; Fiji, £2,093. Copra has been valued at £10 to £10 5s a ton, but this valuation is too high, which to some extent accounts for the exports so far exceeding the imports. The report shows that the German enterprise is not so predominant in the Tonga Islands as has been usually supposed. In 1888 British resident merchants did more business than German. Yen ! It is certainly true. A«k any of your friends who have purchased there. Garlick and Cranwell have numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from country customers on their excellent packing of Furniture, Crockery, and Glass, &c. Ladies and gentlemen about to furnish should remember thab Garlick and Cran well's is the Cheap Furnishing Warehouse of Auckland. Furniture to suit all classes ; also Carpets, Floor Cloths and all House Necessaries. If your new house is nearly finished, or you are going to get married, visit Garlick and Cranwell, Queen-street and Lorne-atreet, Auckland. Intending purohauers can hay« ft catalogue aenfc fre*. Trunk-makers pay the gigantic Saratogas are out of style. Ladies now prefer to buy two moderate-sized trunks. It takes three large lemons to make two quarts of lemonade with the mont economical skill.