Death of Mr. W. a. Rowe.
Death has made many breaches in the ranks of prominent men in our midst during recent years, but in no case has the removal of one of our citizens created a wider blank than is created by the death of Mr Rowe. As Headmaster of a large public school Mr Rowe's life has touched so many points in the homes of the district. During the past ten years every home in our township and for miles around has felt the influence of his life and his teachings in the daily lives of the children of these homes As a teacher the late Mr Rowe deservedly ranked high in the estimation of those having the control of the educational affairs of Southland, and his decease is a distinct loss from the ranks of the teachers under the Southland Board.
Mr William Alfred Rowe was born at Devonport, England, in 1848, and, at the age of six years entered the Nelson House school, Plymouth, as a board scholar, a pupil, and subsequently as a teacher, he remained in the Nelson House school till 1872, and during that time gained distinction in both departments. On leaving at the end of 17 years in connection with that great educational institution, Mr Rowe was the recipient of a handsome present from the teachers, accompanied by a letter expressive of their admiration of his worth, and conveying their best wishes for his future welfare. Mr Rowe subsequently had a very brilliant scholastic career at the University of Cambridge, also being the holder of an Exhibition of the London University, in which he was placed in the first division in his term. In 1868 he was Gold Medallist and King's Prizeman of South Kensington Science Department of the University, from which he completed his University career and took Holy Orders, being inducted into the charge of Oldbury parish in 1872. After a short time his health broke down, and he was recommended to take a long sea voyage. He came out to New Zealand in 1874, landing in Wellington, where he was the guest of the Bishop of Wellington. Mr Rowe was accompanied by a gentleman friend, the only other passenger being a medico. Shortly after landing Mr Rowe's friend was offered a position as tutor to Mr R. W. Aitken's children, Mr Aitken then being the owner of Clifden station. His friend, however, decided to return to England, and Mr Rowe took up his duties, remaining with Mr Aitken's family for a little over two years. On the Otautau school being opened in 1877, Mr Rowe was offered the headmastership, but declined, and was immediately afterwards appointed to Waianiwa. The Southland Education District was then a part of the Otago District, and it was not till the following year, 1878, that it became a distinct Educational District, so that Mr Rowe's connection with education in Southland predates the separate identity of the province as an educational distrit. Mr Rowe remained in Waianiwa till July, 1888, when he accepted the position in Otautau, which he held till his death, actually being in harness till within a few hours of his demise, and never having had, during his 31 years of service, leave of absence or been absent from duty when school was open.
Of Mr Rowe as a teacher, the annals of the Southland Education Board record no better evidences of faithful and efficient service than those set opposite his name. From his earliest connection his work came under the favourable notice of the Inspectors, and years of service only marked him out as one of the most successful teachers who have done noble service in the training of the young of the dominion. In 1883 Mr Goyen, Inspector in Southland, wrote: "During the four years I was in charge of the Southland Education district Mr Rowe was under my supervision, and discharged his duties with conspicuous success. He has great tact with children; is a man of refinement and culture, has a firstclass knowledge of his profession, is a most earnest and enthusiastic teacher, and his moral character is unimpeachable." The revolving years confirmed, in the estimation of subsequent Inspectors, the opinion formed by Mr Goyen at the beginning. In 1896 Mr John Gammell, B. A, wrote: "During my five years as Inspector of the Southland Education Board I annually examined Mr Rowe's school, and as often found it highly efficient, indeed, in positives results, as tested by standard passes, it habitually took the lead of all schools in the district. The characteristics of the school were thoroughness in study, intelligence, and neatness in written work. A spirit of refinement and gentleness seemed to distlnguish the scholars, a spirit due, I believe, to the same qualities being possessed by the teacher." So it has been that every year has marked an equally satisfactory record. The committee of the Otautau School, right up to the most recent examination, having the pleasure yearly of congratulating Mr Rowe on the uniformally satisfactory nature of his reports.
In his dealings with the executive officers of the Board his returns were so minutely and carefully prepared in every detail as to afford those officers the highest gratification, and no teacher in the service stands higher in their esteem than our late townsman. Among his fellow teachers also none won more respect and esteem, the wideness of his sympathy with young teachers, the breadth of his teaching knowledge and refinement and culture of his mind endeared him to all who had dealings with him. Under Mr Rowe's tuition some of the most successful present day teachers received their training, amongst many others being Mr A. E. Fertherstone, headmaster Kennington School, Mr F. Blue, Headmnster Knapdale School, Mr A. G. McLeod, who left the service for a University training, Miss Johnston, formerly Mistress at Nightcaps, and one of the latest, Mr L. D. McKay, now of Milton District High School, while Miss Donnan, present second assistant in Otautau School, was also for several years| a pupil of Mr Rowe's.
Mr Rowe was married in 1884 to Miss J. J. M. Tait, of Waianiwa, who, throughou their married life, baa been an enthusiastic aid in all her husband's scholastic undertakings, and with cheery and tactful manner, has in a marked degree assisted in making the whole school surroundings as a place where boys and girls have delighted to be pupils. Mr Rowe is survived by his widow, four daughters and two sons, while his eldest son, Charles, predeceased him since the family removed to Otautau. Mrs Alfred Rowe is pupil teacher in the North Invercargill school, while Miss Lily Rowe occupies a similar position in the South school, the other members of the family being at home with their mother.
The deepest sympathy of the district goes out to Mrs Rowe and her children in their sudden bereavement.
The scholars who assembled as usual this morning were met by Miss Adams and Miss Donnan (teachers), and the chairman and various members of the school committee and were informed of the sad event. They were than dismissed from school for the rest of the week, but will assemble in the school grounds tomorrow at 12.45, and attend the funeral of their late loved master to the cemetery. -Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, 22/9/1908.
"To live in the memory of those who loved us is not to die." Old pupils and other friends of the late Mr W. A. Howe, M.A., in the Waiahiwa district recently subscribed a substantial amount to erect a concrete and iron railing round their old master's grave in the Otautau Cemetery. The work was entrusted to Messrs Kingsland and Ferguson, who have carried out the order very satisfactorily. Inserted in the railing is a marble tablet bearing the following inscription: "In loving memory of William Alfred Rowe. Died 21st September, 1908. Erected by former Waiamwa pupils and other friends." Before taking charge at Otautau Mr Rowe had conducted the Waianiwa school for 23 years. -Southern Cross, 28/8/1909.
