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Picturesque Dunedin: or Dunedin and its neighbourhood in 1890

Mr. William Macdonald, M.A., LL.D

Mr. William Macdonald, M.A., LL.D.

In the beginning of 1878, "The Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools Act, 1877," came into operation, by virtue of which the administration of the two High Schools in Dunedin were transferred from the Otago Education Board to a Board of Governors, constituted as follows:—The Mayor of Dunedin, ex officio; two members annually appointed by the Governor; two members elected annually by the Otago University Council; and two members elected by the Otago Education Board. In anticipation of this change, the Education Board had deemed it unad-visable to take any steps for the appointment of a successor to Mr Norrie, and consequently one of the first duties of importance devolving upon the Board of Governors was the appointment of a rector. After full consideration, it was resolved that Mr Brent should be asked to undertake the duties of interim rector, and that the Agent General (Sir Julius Vogel), Dr. Abbott (head master of the City of London School), and Dr. Morrison (rector of the Glasgow Acadamy), should be requested to act as commissioners for the selection in the Home Country of a suitable rector. The choice of the commissioners fell upon Mr William Macdonald, M.A., classical master in the Edinburgh High School. Before leaving, Mr Macdonald, in recognition of his eminence in his profession, and of his distinguished services to the cause of education, received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University of Edinburgh.

Dr. Macdonald entered on his duties as Rector in Nov. 1878, and for several years, the Boys' High School prospered greatly. But in June, 1884, Dr. Macdonald was laid aside from duty, by a very serious illness; he obtained leave of absence for a time, and resumed work at the beginning of the session of 1885. During the interval, Mr A. Wilson, English Master, acted as Rector of page 163the school. But in the course of a few months Dr. Macdonald's strength again failed him. He continued nominally in charge of the school for some time longer; but at last it became painfully apparent to the governors, that there was little or no probability of his being again able to resume the duties of Rector, and with extreme regret they found themselves compelled to take steps to secure a successor. Dr. Macdonald's official connection with the school ceased on Sept. 30th, 1886. His retirement from the Rectorship, caused the profoundest grief and disappointment to the governors and the friends of the school, and indeed to all within the Otago district, who had the interests of the higher education at heart. He had, during his short career in Dunedin, given abundant proof of surpassing ability, as Head Master of the High School, as well as in various other capacities, while his personal qualities had endeared him to a large circle of friends.