Me Williamn Orrie, M.A.

The selection of a successor to Mr Hawthorne was entrusted to the late Mr John Auld, Home Agent of the Provincial Government, and his choice fell upon Mr William Norrie, M.A., Classical Master in Dr. A. H. Bryce's Edinburgh Collegiate School. Mr Norrie entered on his duties in April, 1875. A number of the changes that had been resolved upon by the Board were made during the first year of his term of office, and the staff was in •creased for the purpose of more thoroughly and satisfactorily working out these changes. The result was an increase of the school attendance; while the boarding institution, under Mr and Mrs Norrie's management, seemed for a time to be serving satisfactorily the purposes for which it was designed. But in the course of 1877, difficulties with regard to the boarding arrangements began to be experienced, and at Mr Norrie's own request the Board in June of the same year relieved him of the charge of the Rectory. It was then resolved that the boarding institution should be placed in charge of Mr Geo. M. Thomson, one of the masters of the school. Mr and Mrs Thomson entered on the occupation of the Bectory in the beginning of 1878.

Owing to several causes, which it is now unnecessary to specify, the relations of Mr Norrie with the Board and some of its officers became somewhat strained in the course.of 1877. These relations became more and more unsatisfactory, and the result was that in August of the same year Mr Norrie resigned the rectorship, giving six months' notice as required by the terms of his engagement. About the same time the Colonial Government, at the request of the Education Board, appointed a commission to inquire into the position of matters in regard to the two High Schools, and to investigate certain charges brought against the Board and its officers in connection with the schools. The commission consisted of the late Mr Tancred (of Christchurch), Mr W. H. Pearson (of Invercargill), and Mr W. Eraser (of Earnscleugh). In their report the commissioners made a number of recommendations regarding the organisation and management page 162of the High Schools. Except as regards one or two matters of trivial importance, the charges made against the Board and its officers were not sustained. Mr Norrie and his family returned to the Home Country in 1878. For several years past he has-been resident in South Africa. Information has quite recently reached Dunedin to the effect that Mr Norrie has been fulfilling for some time the duties of head master of the Kimberly Undenominational Schools with much acceptability and success.