W. S. Hill

Dr Walter Stanley Hill. Born in Auckland, he was educated at King's College from 1899 to 1906 and was Gold Medallist in his final year. He was the first in New Zealand to gain the degree of Bachelor of Agriculture, which was conferred on him in 1913. He became Doctor of Philosophy of the University of New Zealand in 1929.

Dr. Hill saw service in the Great War, leaving New Zealand with the 13th. Reinforcements, and rose to the rank of captain. In 1916 he went to England, where he was a farming instructor to New Zealand soldiers at Hornchurch.

Dr. Hill was a keen Rugby player and cricketer, representing King's Old Boys on a number of occasions. He died at the end of December, 1945. He was 58 years old.

Obituary

After a short illness Dr W. S. Hill, B.Agr., Ph.D., of Remuera, Auckland, died at the end of December, 1945. He was 58 years old. Born in Auckland, he was educated at King's College in 1909-10 and was Gold Medallist in his final year. He was the first in New Zealand to gain the degree of Bachelor of Agriculture, which was conferred on him in 1913. He became Doctor of Philosophy of the University of New Zealand in 1929.

Dr Hill saw service in the Great War, leaving New Zealand with the 16th. Reinforcements, and rose to the rank of captain. In 1916 he went to England, where he was a farming instructor to New Zealand soldiers at Hornchurch.

After further studies at the Rothamsted Experimental Station, he returned to New Zealand in 1920. He engaged in farming for a short period at Mauku. He was then appointed instructor in agriculture at the Seddon Memorial Technical College. He also gave many lectures at the Auckland University College. In 1935 he was appointed to the Otahuhu Technical School, where he was still teaching until his death.

He early realised the value of Young Farmers' movement and established the first club of this kind in 1932 among his agriculture pupils. This club, known as the Auckland Young Farmers' Club, has to-day a membership of about 100 and still retains its original constitution.

As a young man, Dr Hill was a keen Rugby player and Cricketer, representing King's Old Boys on a number of occasions. He was also a Manson and a keen philatelist. He is survived by his wife, one daughter and a son, who served in the Fleet Air Arm in the Second World War.