MR W. H. JACKSON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1939, Page 9

MR W. H. JACKSON

RETIREMENT FROM EDUCATION BOARD. TRIBUTES TO SERVICES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Tributes to his work in the cause of education over many years were paid at yesterday’s meeting of the Wellington Education Board to Mr W. H. Jackson, who announced his retirement from the board. / The chairman, Mr W. V. Dyer, said that Mr Jackson came to the board in 1930 and it had been a pleasure for members to be associated with one who had been connected with education, particularly in the Masterton district, for so many years. Mr Jackson had left behind him a great record as a schoolmaster and an even greater record outside the school. His work for his school in Masterton was wellknown and the grounds and museum were monuments to his industry and energy. Mr Jackson had taken an actice part in civic affairs in Masterton and had been mayor during the last war.

Mr J. J. Clark, who came to New Zealand in November, 1883, in the same ship as Mr Jackson, paid a tribute to Mr Jackson as an outstanding man who had had the confidence of teachers, educational authorities and citizens alike. In Masterton, he had occupied the unique position of headmaster and mayor and had carried out both duties efficiently and well. Messrs J. Stonehouse, C. H. W. Nicholls, A. C. Blake, H. Duckworth, W. D. Pike and A. Donald paid tributes to Mr Jackson’s ability as a teacher and an organiser. Mr W. W. Bird said that Mr- Jackson and the late Mr Grundy'had done much to put the Educational Institute on its feet. "In the early days, Mr Jackson was Masterton,” added Mr Bird. “Educationally, socially and politically, he was monarch of all he surveyed.” Colonel T. W. McDonald referred to Mr Jackson’s interest in the cadet system and said he was a great Imperialist as well ts an educationist. Mr W. R. Nicol said that Mr Jackson was rightly regarded as the father of education in the Wairarapa. Mr D. Macaskill, senior inspector, and Mr W. Deavoll, secretary, conveyed the best wishes of their staffs to Mr Jackson on his retirement. Thanking the members for their expressions of -appreciation, Mr Jackson said that he had enjoyed his work on the board. It was part of his lifework and he was sorry that the end had come to his educational activities. Mr Jackson reviewed the work of the Masterton- Trust Lands Trust and traced the development of the Masterton Central School, its grounds and assembly hall and the museum from 1889 when he was appointed headmaster of the school.