Lovells Flat
(From Our Own Correspondent.) Thursday.
A PRESENTATION
A ceremony of a pleasant and friendly nature took place in the local school residence a short time ago, when Mr Neil Pollock, headmaster of the school, was presented with a massive gold chain, with pendant. Similiar functions here have hitherto in variably indicated a parting. This was a pleasant exception to the rule. It was in fact a recognition by the parents of the district of their appreciation of Mr Pollock's manner of getting over the "pen and ink money" difficulty. In short, he has paid that item holus bolus out of his own pocket for the five or six years he has been here, so it was decided to return him, if not exactly a quid pro quo, at least some tangible acknowledgment for the outlay, and as well as for the trouble he thereby saved. The call for the purpose was truly a "surprise visit." They rushed up to his house one night a long time after the "shard-borne beetle with its drowsy hums had rung nights yawning peal," and there unexpectedly to the principal was done that "deed of dreadful note." The "they" in italics above refers to four members of the school committee, including the chairman and the ex-chairman, five all told. Needless to say, many felicitous speeches were made on both aides appropriate to the business of the occasion, and afterwards Mr Pollock and his fair household acted the part of entertainers for an hour or so with every success. Socially so much so that those who had come to fulfil a task, admit to having spent an enjoyable evening. -Bruce Herald, 13/5/1898.
LOVELLS FLAT.
The annual meeting of householders was held in the school, Lovells Flat, on Monday. There was a small attendance of householders. Mr D. Bryce, chairman of Committee, occupied the chair, and the indefatigable secretary, Mr John Adam, was in attendance with his usual careful and full annual report, which spoke in high terms of the work of the teachers. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr W. Fraser, who complimented the Committee on the work of the year. A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Committee on the motion of Rev. P. B. Fraser. On the motion of the same gentleman, the meeting agreed to record an expression of sincere sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr Neil Pollock, for many years teacher of the school, and to ask the secretary to forward to the relatives a letter from the householders' meeting to that effect. Very sincere and general regret is felt at Mr Pollock's so early death, and of sympathy with his young widow in her sorrow. -Bruce Herald, 29/4/1904.
OBITUARY.
MR NEIL POLLOCK
Our Hampden correspondent writes: the funeral of the late Neil Pollock was held on Sunday afternoon, when a large number of people followed his remains to the cemetery, showing the great respect in which he was held by the people of this district. Great sympathy is felt for deceased's relations at his early death.
Mr Pollock, who was only 31 years of age, was born in Hampden, and educated at the Hampden school, and commenced his teaching career as pupil teacher under Mr Watt at the Hampden school. He then went to the Training College at Dunedin, and passed from there with great credit. He was for some time relieving teacher under the Otago Education Board, and for a time in charge of the Purekireki school, and for a few years headmaster of the Lovells Flat school, from which he resigned lately through ill-health. The Lovells Flat people were very sorry to lose his services, but the state of his health required that he should seek a warmer climate. After a residence in Central Otago for some time, he visited his relations at Hampden, but gradually got worse, and passed quietly away on Saturday, 23rd Inst., thus closing a career of much usefulness, and of marked ability. Deceased was of a very lovable disposition. -Oamaru Mail, 30/4/1904.
A move to Central Otago, with its dryer air, and the lingering nature of his illness, would seem to indicate a death by tuberculosis.
IN MEMORIAM
POLLOCK. — In loving memory of Neil Pollock, who fell asleep at Hampden on April 23, 1904.
Only good-night, beloved, not farewell;
A little while and all His saints shall dwell
In hallowed union, indivisable.
Good-night, good-night.
— Inserted by his loving wife. -Otago Daily Times, 24/4/1905.
IN MEMORIAM.
POLLOCK. — In loving memory of Neil Pollock, who died at Hampden on the 23rd April, 1904; aged 34 years.
A light from our household gone, A voice we loved is stilled;
A place is vacant in our home, Which never can be filled.
Inserted by his loving parents, brothers and sisters. -North Otago Times, 23/4/1906.
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