Williamson, Alexander Watt

Birth Details
1884/4421, Amy Charlotte Williamson, Mother: Emma, Father: Alexander Watt

Marriage Details
1878/2551, Bride: Emma Parkinson, Groom: Alexander Watt Williamson - Date of Marriage 15/6/1878 from Marriage Registration

Wanganui Chronicle 25 June 1878
WILLIAMSON - PARKINSON - At Turakina, on the 15th June, by the Rev J. Ross, Alexander Watt, son of the late Alexander Williamson, Esq., Wanganui, to Emma, eldest daughter of Mr Parkinson, Turakina

Evening Post 27 April 1892
Board of Education
...
The Board went into committee on the question of the Taita School, and confirmed the appointment of Mr. Williamson (sic) as master.

Wanganui Chronicle 2 May 1892
The many friends of Mr. A Williams (sic), M.A., formerly headmaster of the Patea Public School, will be pleased to learn that he has been appointed to the charge of the Taita School, in Upper Hutt District, Wellington, The position is equal to that of Patea.

Evening Post 1 June 1892
Mr. A. W. Wilkinson (sic), late of the Brunswick School, Wanganui, has just taken up his appointment as headmaster of the Taita School. The Rev. Mr. Tuckey, relieving master to the Education Board, will proceed to-morrow to the Wairarapa to take temporary charge of Hastwell School, the present teacher being disabled throngh having been thrown from her horse.

Evening Post 17 September 1892
At the monthly meeting of the Taita School Committee held on Wednesday, Mr A. W. Williamson, B.A., (sic) who was one of the first graduates of the New Zealand University, and who has lately been appointed headmaster of the Taita School, was presented with a beautifully illuminated address, handsomely framed, and a dinner set, as a token of esteem and good wishes from the residents of Patea, where Mr Williamson held the position of headmaster of the public school for over 10 years. The presentation was made on behalf of residents of Patea by Mr. T. Mason, Taita, who, in a neat speech, related reminiscences of the schools and schoolmasters of his own day. Mr. Williamson, in reply, stated that the presentation afforded him a pleasure and satisfaction not to be measured by the gifl itself. It would remind him of many associations and familiar faces of friends from whom in his new field of labour he was parted.




Evening Post 17 December 1892
TAITA.
The year''s work at the Taita Public School was brought to a close on Thursday night by an entertainment given by the pupils, assisted by Misses Coltman, Morrison, and Williamson, Mrs. Thomson, Mrs. Fulton, and Rev. A. Gray. A prominent feature was a well-sustained debate by about a dozen boys, on "The Higher Education of Women." The school was beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens, and was comfortably crowded, the entertainment reflecting great credit on Mr. Williamson, the head master, and his staff. Special prizes awarded for the neatest set of exercise books were won by Karl Boulcott, 1, Alice Buck, and Myrtle Daysh (equal) 2; for greatest improvement during the year as shown by exercise books, Lottie Johnstone 1, Lily James 2.

1893 Electoral Roll Emma Williamson, Electorate: Otaki, Residence: Taita, Occ: Married Woman


Evening Post 18 December 1893
TAITA.
At the annual concert and distribution of prizes in Taita School a programme was submitted including many novelties, amongst them a debate by the children and action and character songs; a dialogue by Rev. Mr. Gray and Mrs. Gray, songs by the Rev. T. G. Carr, Miss Chapple, and Mrs. Thompson; recitations by Mr. E. B. Jones, and a trio by Mr. and Mrs. Daysh and Miss Williamson. Miss Williamson also played the accompaniments. The Rev. Mr. Harrison distributed the prizes. Mr. Mellow, Chairman of the School Committee, also spoke, and concluded by moving a hearty vote of thanks to the performers and to the Head Master, Mr. Williamson. The entertainment concluded with three cheers for Mr. Williamson given very heartily by the children.

Evening Post 22 December 1894
At the annual entertainment in aid of the prize fund, held in the Taita School on Thursday evening, 7 was realised. The Rev. C. Harrison occupied the chair, and also distributed the prizes. Mr. Williamson and his staff are to be congratulated on the efficiency displayed by the scholars in elocution and singing.


Evening Post 8 August 1896
The judge of the "Loo-loo Sap" essay competitions, Mr. T. W. Rowe, M.A., has awarded first place in each standard as follows:- Fourth Standard, Constance E. Knowles, Thorndon School; Fifth Standard, Amy Williamson, Taita School; Sixth Standard, Ruby M. Farr, Newtown School. The prize in each case is a golden sovereign.

Evening Post 21 December 1896
TAITA.
An excellent entertainment, held in Welch''s Hall, was given by the Taita School in connection with the breaking up for the holidays. The most notable event was a debate by some of the scholars, on the question, "Are School Excursions Beneficial ?" which, of course, ended in a decided victory for the affirmative side. The action songs by the children were much appreciated, as also was a trio by Misses and Master Williamson. The Rev. Andrew Gray presided, and presented prizes to all who had passed their examinations. Special prizes were awarded to Emily Colson for greatest improvement, to Edith White and Amy Williamson (equal) for neatest set of exercise books, to Hilda Hudson and Sam Campbell for rapid arithmetic. The other performers at the concert were Misses Ross, Drummond, Gray, Garwood, and McGurk, Messrs. Jones, Feist, Pringle, Kirk, Drummond, and Gillet, with Misses Williamson and Brown as pianistes. The whole entertainment reflected much credit on Mr. Williamson and his staff.

Star 10 August 1897
Fires
[Per Press Association.]
Wellington, August 10
The Taita school and teacher''s house on the Hutt Road, fourteen miles from town, were burned about midnight. Nothing was insured. The origin was a defective chimney. The teacher, Mr Williamson, saved a portion of the furniture.

Evening Post 14 August 1897
...
Until the Taita School, recently destroyed by fire is rebuilt, school will be held in the Sunday School buildings.

Evening Post 20 August 1897
THANKS.
Mr. and MRS. WILKINSON (sic) desire to return their most sincere Thanks to all those who so kindly rendered assistance at, and since, the late fire in the Taita school.

Evening Post 20 December 1898
TAITA SCHOOL.
The Taita School broke up for the holidays on Friday, with an entertainment in the school. Songs were contributed by Misses Gray (2) and Messrs. McKinnon, Drummond, Kirk, and Appleyard. A number of songs, recitations, and dialogues were given by the children, and were much appreciated by their elders. Miss Williamson was accompanist. A feature of the evening''s entertainment was a debate on the question "Whether School Prizes should be Given," which was capitally given by the children. The Rev. A. Gray presided, and before distributing the prizes remarked on the great, efficiency of the school under Mr. Williamson and his assistants, and also congratulated Miss Amy Williamson on having gained a scholarship in the recent examination - the third scholarship which has been won by scholars attending this school. Special prizes were awarded as follows:- Neatest exercises, senior division, Amy Williamson; junior, Annie Westbury and Nellie Williamson; rapid arithmetic, senior, Emily Colson; junior, Blanche Cocking; most popular girl, Amy Williamson; most popular boy, Bertie Johnstone; best elocution, girls, Violet Peck; boys, Fred. Williamson; strongest pass in St. II., T. Gadsby; St. III., M. Webb.

Evening Post 2 July 1900
At the Taita School on Saturday afternoon a New Zealand ensign, the gift of Mr. J. Barr, of the Waiwetu, was presented by the Rev. J. Martin to Mr. Williamson, head master, on behalf of the school. Afterwards Mrs. Barr was presented with a choice boquet by the Misses Buck and Williamson on behalf of the teachers and pupils. Mr. Bunny, Mayor of the Hutt Borough, hoisted the flag amid cheering and the singing of the National Anthem. Speeches were made by the Mayor and Mr. Barr, and during the afternoon patriotic songs were sung by the children, who were trained by Mr. Burns, and finally afternoon tea, provided by the ladies of the district, was partaken of by all present.

Death Details
1928/3964, Alexander Watt Williamson, Aged: 78Y - Date of Death 2/8/1928 from Death Registration

Evening Post 2 August 1928
The death occurred to-day, at the residence of his son in Hamilton, of Mr. Alexander W. Williamson. The late Mr Williamson, who was born near Coventry, England, in 1849, accompanied his parents to New Zealand in the ship William Hyde in 1851. He was educated at the Wanganui Grammar School and at Otago College. In 1874 he gained his B.A. degree, the first part bestowed by the Otago University, and in the same year was appointed to the Turakina School, where he taught for seven years. He was headmaster of the Patea School for eleven years, and afterwards was at the Taita and Epuni Schools, retiring in 1911, after thirty-seven years of service. The late Mr. Williamson, who was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Chuch, and an active Sunday school worker, celebrated his golden wedding in June last. He leaves a widow and a family of three sons, Messrs. C. A. Williamson, of Petone, and F. T. and B. A. Williamson, both of Hamilton, and four daughters, Mrs. A. McMillan, of Lower Hutt, Mrs. W. Rennie, jun., of Petone, Mrs. J. Park, of Bonhar, and Miss Williamson, of Lower Hutt.

Also Obituary in Hutt News in families file

Probate Alexander Watt Williamson, Place: Puketaha, Occ: Schoolmaster, BCDG 4420 2447/28, Filed: 4/9/1928, Will, Archives NZ, Auckland

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Evening Post 7 August 1939
WILLIAMSON.- On August 7, 1939, at her late residence, 753 High Street, Lower Hutt, Emma, widow of the late Alex W. Williamson; aged 83 years. (Interment at Gordonton, Waikato. Left for Hamilton this afternoon.)

Probate Emma Williamson, Place: Lower Hutt, Occ: Widow, AAOM 6029 66173, Filed: 1/9/1939, Intestate, Archives NZ, Wellington

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Evening Post 7 August 1945
FAREWELL TO TEACHER
A large number of residents of Taita attended a farewell social evening in the Taita Hall recently in honour of Miss Williamson, who has left Taita School to take up the position of infant mistress at Epuni School. Miss Williamson had been on the staff of Taita School for 28 years, practically the whole of her teaching career. Eulogistic references to her work for both school and district were paid by Mr. Stonehouse (Education Board), Mr. Hutchison (school committee). Mr. Vaughan (a former headmaster), and Mr. A. MacFarlane. Miss Williamson suitably replied. During the evening she was presented with a handbag and a cheque from the residents of Taita. Supper was served and dancing followed.