Obituary

Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 38, September 1994

OBITUARY Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 38, September 1994

OBITUARY: HERBERT TOWERS

By Gordon Mathieson

A Paeroa born teacher who could count athletic greats Arthur Lydiard and Peter Snell as well as former New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon among his pupils died early in 1994 in Auckland at the age of 94.

Herbert Lea Towers will probably he best known for his contribution to Mt Albert Grammar School where he served a total of 57 years, becoming head of the mathematics department then deputy headmaster. He is also well known for his service to athletics. He organised the school's first athletic championships in 1923 and initiated Auckland secondary inter-school athletics.

Mr Towers was born in Rye Lane (now Towers Street) in Paeroa in 1899 as the eldest of seven children. His father, William Towers, was a foundation member of the Borough Movement Association, which voted to secede from Ohinemuri County Council to form Paeroa Borough Council. William Towers was elected unopposed Paeroa's first mayor.

Herbie Towers attended Paeroa District High School from 1904 to 1912. At 13, he gained a scholarship which admitted him to Auckland Grammar School. After graduating from Auckland University College with a science degree, he taught at King's College in Otahuhu then went on to Mt Albert Grammar College.

To the school's Old Boys' Association, he wasMtAlbert Grammar. He had lived at 99 Mt Albert Road since 1930, within sight of the school he had served so long.