The school, up to the present time, has been fortunate in having as its Masters two gentlemen eminently possessing the special qualifications for the work. Mr Britton, chosen by Mr Branigan, was the first appointed, and until his death in 1876, after a short illness, the institution made steady progress under his management. In his obituary notice it was stated that he "found the place a bleak and barren waste, and left it a well sheltered, pleasant, and richly-cultivated garden. With him, as with other devoted men, the ruling passion was strong in death. During his short and painful illness, the concerns of the institution and the interests of its youthful inmates were ever in his mind, and it may be said that he died with their names on his lips." After seven years' service in that capacity he was succeeded by the present Master, Mr. Elija Titchener, who has shown himself to be a man of a kindred spirit, and under his superintendence the institution has expanded to its present dimensions. Mrs. Britton, the first mistress, was a true helpmate to her husband, and Mr. Titchener has also had earnest coadjutors in his wife, the second and present mistress, and in two of his sons, at different periods head teachers of the school. From the first, Dr. Burns of Dunedin has honourably held the responsible position of medical officer. Mr. Collie was the first teacher, and since his removal to Burnham, where he died, that office has been filled successively by Mr. Neish, Mr. James, Mr. John Titchener (who, while yet a young and promising man, died in harness), Miss Christie, and Mr. Hugh Titchener, who now does earnest duty, and also acts as Bandmaster.
H.M. GAOL.
A good many years ago an Otago up-country journal very warmly congratulated the district it represented on the evidences of progress afforded by the erection of two new buildings, one of them being—a gaol. It did not seem to strike the writer that the progress indicated by the addition to its structures of a place of incarceration for evil-doers was scarcely a matter for gratulation, but one rather to be deplored. Unfortunately, wherever civilised communities are formed, there in due course the "progressive" gaol becomes a necessity. In the first days of the Otago settlement there seems to have been no urgent call
