[The Times: Search: "Wandsworth Common"].
[BNA: Buckmaster Battersea 1908]
[BNA: Buckmaster Wandsworth 1908]
[London Evening Standard: Buckmaster Wandsworth 1908]
A Grand Old Man.
Full of years, full of honours, John Charles Buckmaster, Justice of the Peace and District Councillor, has, after a life of nearly ninety years, spent in the following of honourable callings, and the pursuit of great ideals, passed to "that bourne from which no traveller returns."
If to leave the world better than one found it is a joy at the end of life, then that joy must have been Mr. Buckmaster's; for from the time of his early manhood he was engaged as a practical and active worker in social and political efforts for the betterment of the condition of the people, and was privileged to continue his activities until within a few days of the end of his long life.
When he came to reside in this neighbourhood [i.e. Teddington, c. 1890] Mr. Buckmaster was already well stricken in years; but though an old man in years, his wonderful energy and vitality, his remarkable mental activity declared him to still be young - younger than many men twenty yean his junior.
The story of his public life in this locality would fill a volume.
We find him engaged as a Justice of the Peace, regular at the weekly meetings of the Spelthorne Bench, and daily hearing cases, when the police required, aaaat the local police station.
Anon, at the Licensing Sessions, we see him descending into the arena of the Court to plead with his unwilling colleagues to exercise their powers for the reduction of the number of public-houses. We observe him in the last two decades of his life fighting several contested elections for a position on the local District Council.
In season and out of season see him contending for the establishment of a Free Library at Teddington, or pouring out the vials of his wrath upon jerry builders and district councillors who palliated their sins against society.
A keen controversialist, he had attained great facility in speech and writing, and his flow of language was remarkable. He was a picturesque speaker, and carried conviction to his hearers by his transparent honesty, earnestness and persuasive eloquence. Had Mr. Buckmaster been trained for the Bar, he must inevitably have achieved distinction.
It is difficult for those who have known this veteran only during the past twenty years, to realise that before he rose upon the local horizon he had already spent half a century in social and political work.
The late Mr. A. J. Mundella said of Mr. Buckmaster's early life that "some parts may read like romance." Those who are interested in the story his life may find it in "A Village Politician: The Life-Story John Buckley."
Left motherless at the age two, and his early years served in sufferings beyond the ordinary, the child's character stiffened and formed, and wrought in him the mettle and the courage that enabled him to give practical sympathy and assistance to the moral force section of the Chartist movement and throw himself unflinchingly into the Anti-Corn Law agitation, in spite of the fact that his relations were chiefly agriculturists, who in consequence disowned him.
Through the enthusiasm and ability displayed in this agitation he attracted the attention of Lord Morpeth, who advised him give up politics and turn his attention to the growing cause of public education.
Says Mr. Mundella, "This was the turning - and perhaps the saving - point of his future life." Anon we see him at training college, and subsequently as a Government official as the head teacher at juvenile convict establishment; after that science master at a new trade-school, and finally as a professor of science and art, and lecturer upon cookery, under the Science and Art Department, South Kensington.
It remarkable career, and Mr. Buckmaster was remarkable man. He had clear convictions, and the ability and the courage to stand up for them at all times and in all places. By his consistency and straightforwardness no less than by the force of his ability, he won the admiration of men who were firmly opposed to him in their convictions.
Teddington and Hampton Wick are the poorer for the of this devoted life from their midst; and in a wide district around kindly, well esteemed presence will be missed and mourned among men and women in all classes of society.
[PB: Transcribe the inscriptions.]
[PB: I assume the cross originally stood on top of the plinth, but became unstable or fell and has since been propped up at an angle. This may be an old photograph so it is possible the cross has been reinstated. Check.]
A PROMINENT EDUCATIONIST
Educationists throughout the country will regret to hear of the death of Mr. J. C. Buckmaster, who for upwards of 50 years took a prominent part in popularising the cause of science and art. In his younger days, he was one of the protagonists of the anti-corn law movement, and was brought in close contact with Cobden and Bright. In addition to being at the Science and Art Department in South Kensington he took a warm interest in local affairs, and it was largely through his efforts that Wandsworth Common was obtained for the use of the public.
[BNA: Globe - Thursday 23 July 1908 ]
FRIEND OF COBDEN AND BRIGHT - The death is announced, at the age of 89, of Mr. John Charles Buckmaster, J.P., of Teddington, one of the. best-known public men in the district. There were few local movements in which he did not take a practical interest, and at the time of his death he was chairman of three Education Committees. In his younger days Mr. Buckmaster took an active part in the Anti-Corn Law movement, and enjoyed the friendship of Richard Cobden and John Bright. It was largely through his efforts that Wandsworth Common was secured as a playing ground for London. Mr. S. 0. Buckmaster, K.C., the well-known Chancery barrister, is one of the deceased's sons.
[BNA: Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette - Saturday 25 July 1908 ]
NB There is a long detailed obituary and report of the funeral in the Surrey Comet, 25 July 1908. A numerous short reports, see e.g.
[BNA: Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 24 July 1908 ]
[BNA: Evening Mail - Friday 24 July 1908 ]
Needs proper edit:
DEATH OF MR. J. C. BUCKMASTER.
Termination of a Long and Useful Public Career
A Friend and Champion of the Poor
It is with deep regret that to-day we announce the death of Mr. J. C. Buckmaster, which took place on Monday night at his residence, Ashleigh, Kingston-road, Teddington. It be remembered that he was laid aside with Was cm the evening of Saturday, July 4, after he had been attending a fete at Chesfield [sp?] in aid of the Kingston Guild of the Crippled. Although at one time hopes were entertained that he might recover, yet, having regard to his advanced age, these were very slender. During the first week of his ills, and throughout the greater part of the following week, although very weak, be was perfectly conscious, except for sass! periods, and his condition seined the as until Saturday, when there was a change for the better. On Sunday the improvement was maintained until the evening. Then he steadily became worn, sada Monday night at 11.30 yeast ally away, conscious up to the last. paved was due to heart failure, consequent upon senile decay.. It is worthy of note, and strikingly in keeping with the characteristic feature of his life his internee love for the poor that bit Is public %pnar%nce, and Islet speech, was is support of the crippled and afflicted.
Deceased was born on February V. 1819, in the little agricultural village of Slapton, ag Bucks, where his ancestors had raided for upwards of a century. He was therefore in his ninetieth year. Mr. Buckmaster came to Teddington about twenty years ago, and some as yes later sawed the great bereave-Dien' of his life%the death of hi wife, is winos memory be placed % Stained gis window in the Ash d St. Its He had four sons and one daughter, all of whom servive him. The eldest, Mr. C. A. Buckmaster, is one of the under-secretaries of the Board of Education; his sad ems, Dr. George Buckmaster, is an MISS Prete in the University of LaSalle; the third is Mr. Stanley Owen Buckmaster, K.C., one of the well-known leading counsel in the Court of Chan-cery, and M.P. for the Borough of Cambridge; and the fourth is Mr. Martin A. Buckmaster, assistant-master at Tonbridge School. His daughter is Mrs. G. W. Alexander, who resides in Edinburgh.
An Interesting Career.
Few men in this neighbourhood have had amore varied and useful life than that of John Charles Buckmaster: who, up to the very last, has been alas( as physically hale as he has been intellectually an The majority of men live down their ideals; Mr. Buckmaster never did. It was the eas s%%lous, outspoken love of justice and progress that lin sainikased him during the time be has been one of the public men of this district, which led him half a century ago to throw himself headlong into the Anti-Corn-Law =overeat, which wangeockred a profound sympathy with the Chartist agitation, and secured for him the friendship of Richard Cobden, Jolts Bright, P. A- Taylor, and Francis Place, asst man another man of these momentous days of the first half of the nineteenth century. To have mot at the peasant day one who had rubbed shoulders with Daniel O'Connell and W. J. Foxi sad knew Tarts O'Connor and Braden. O'Brien. was in itself a unique thing. It was perhaps still see wonderful to Gad that up to the lam be retained a clarity of mind and as elasticity of mental power which rendered en essilloation of opinion un-thinkable. and reestienary views an impossibility.
Mr. Buckmaster's personal appearance and habits were an *locust testimony both to his mental and bodily vigour, and to the unconventional tread of his miss. There was nothing stereotyped about him, sad his from and easy mama was ever the essa, whether in the bona in the street, en the megteter'al bosh, or in the council chamber. Nobody ever had any doubt about his opining, and no se ear apposed be ooukl sot defend thee with % foros amazing in a man of his years. B. had outdo to be reckoned an old inhabitant of Teddington, and his service on the District Council alone has estended allowing for a beak d three yaw, whet Jae lost his seat on the introduction of the tramways, which he opposed over the whole period since the Council was formed. He first stood a a eau-Mate foe the Cosi in 1894, just after he Sired from active duty in the Civil Service gelthe State, and was returned by WI vow. Girth out of twenty-five candidates for seats. It was eminently characteriatio his belligerent career that be never had an sopoosed return, and that be fought as half Con -do nedan battles during his ocanection with the .
The Tramway Question.
It was in 1900, when the tramway question was the test issue of the election. that, in company with Mr. Chas. Deayton, be was % Noted, being. a might be eutg9td . one of those public-spirited men who ht % tram-way company enjoying a prattles monopoly of the streets foe mechanical transportation I should make a substantial sari-Cr Its; the rates. His previous ex rims of tramways at Clapham and Woks and their effect upon the value of p and the rowel deterioration of a neigh which their introduction brought about, had also made him an opponent to their ad-vent ben. How far tins* has proved the accuracy a his forecast. the public are is a position to judge. TTs re-appeared in the local arena in 1902, and the district having in the previous year been divided into wards, be was nominated for Upper Teddington. But the advanced views d % man of eighty on housing, sanitation, lorry building and the taxation of ground values, proved too street for a younger generation, and he was left at the bottom of the poll. With a pluck that elicited the admiration of opponents as much as friends, Mr. Buckmaster was in the find' again the following. year, selecting the South Teddington Ward, in which he resided, and on this occasion be was returned by 18 votes to 10.
The Working Man's Friend.
His zeal for promoting everything that tended towards the welfare of the district, and more especially the benefit of the working class, as well known to all who have watched his career on the Council. In the prcrrisioe of better base for the humbler class, allotments for labouring men. the cause of edstion, and many other similar matters there has never been a more staunch champion. It was a kindred spirit whom he honoured when be erected the memorial to Timothy Banat, the shoemaker, who fought for and won th% right of way for the public over Bushey Park.
Perhaps one of the most notable of Mr. Buckmaster's achievements for the good of the parish was the acquisition of the beautiful Free Public Library, for which he obtained the grant of some %1,000 or E51000 from Mr. Carnegie, and worked most assiduously in all the detail. which its erection and equipment involved. He was accorded the honour of laving the foundation stone of the building. in 'the presence of % numerous and distinguished company, and his memorable speech on the occasion will doubtless be in the recollection of many of our radon. In recognition of his valued labours in eon. action with this admirable institution, a public subscription was raised for placing in the library a presentation portrait of Mr. Buckmaster, and a clock, and the ceremony of handing than over took place on December 8, 1906.
A Characteristic Speech.
The conclusion of his striking speech on that occasion is worthy of reproduction, and was thoroughly characteristic of the man. Human life, be said. was made up of hard facts and rugged impatience, and was gives to man for labour and to sure his victory over natural forces. The slums sweating chins in which a large number of and offr fellow creatures were condemned to live and work filled him with sorrow and alarm. This social anarchy could sot go on; it would righg itself somehow. It was in direct % fill the to ebSg of Christ. The other.y is alit ladies tag tears over the creaks of the rubber state of the Congo. Bettor to wasp over the. misery and hunger of woman and children ta the richest country in the weld. % Utilisation et Christianity which was awry, wealthy, sea sad inks. scald not eider similar... to be aspe away dale-last. Flo hoped it en act like the des, ad rule and blood Bo tbM by the spread cd. miestist teparense, LareWitrailt.71:40iwart mrps'at set. Tet. if tiwy mese disa ppoints& hie sheeted that the greet inesna of the ham nee. 4 an erases aid eke; we aim the an ef Merin= Poweirme; and whoa bo the guts whisk led to ihn tie wire no traveller roterns," the would perhaps look ea that beautiful 'looks the errs wort tat maxitian portrait, the wort a % _ Wt. tabor one who. whale be had numy--ad sorbed far the elands' and happier at his fellow moaturea.
"I need not be missed if othses emesed ad.
To reap down those Gelds which is Seat I ban sawn;
H. =tattled and who sowed is not missed by the reaper;
He is ably romeashered for what he has dose."
His Advocacy of Temperance.
Mr. Buckmaster was an acknowledged authority on cookery, and up till his death retained the position of chairman a the National Food and Cookery Association, is whisk be was assn sated with the law Baroness Burdett Coutts, who had a high opinion of his abilities, and WO' failed to remember the anniversary of his birthday. Although not % pledged total abstainer, be was an earnest advocate el tenspsraas and never lost en opportunity, in aeon and out of aeon, of expressing his views ea this solo%
He had been a county magistrate since 1893, and was also a membert of the Joint Standing Committee for the County. He was a representative governor for Teddington on the the governing body of the Hampton Grammar School, amember of the committee of the Teddiaglas An School, sad % enanagerthree d the elementary schools le 'Paddgton: Fair-ies-mad, #11tistios-road, andin the Class% limb a sibs last nand fie was Zest eiL Spelt, .bein chairman 4 the of "Buckmaster's Primers" for elementary schools, which in their day had a marvellous success, and were to be found is the majority of the schools throughout the analry. It is no v'es't--ire he has often snowed Itrifpie with pardonable prille%dmi by lie emend from those publications harawyminz &bid to give his an a college and shwatioa.
A far years ago, during the ministry of the Rev. Father Goodrich at the Church of the Sacred Heart close by his home, Mr. Buckmaster began to attend the Roman Catholic Church, but he was never admitted a member. Those win had the Private d his dame friendship wen aware that he was no enthusiast either far the, _or any other partial*: forum of religions worship. Res was too bead a spirit to be bead by the web and formalities 4 siay tbdiesetive ointrok. Ro caw geed is all of them, aad wan as ready to meat at a Salvation Army men-;vittor moist an Nessenformiet church by his paleface and his pars. as he was 16 sepatt the Church of lbutlaltd or the Chun* of Rome. Re wee a dear lover of Nato. and wee often heard to veniark that it WY in the tontemplation 4 her beauties that be rid beet worship his God.
Mr. Buckmaster's Autobiography.
Mr. Buckmaster has put on record a simple and extremely absorbing amount el the Buckmaster has pet a reseed a aft yen of his caner. " A Villas poli-tician the Life Story d tY% ma the this of this wartanatag autobiography, whin has as intredeptioni by the late Mr. 41' J. Madeira. who se Ties-Presirst of the Osa Ormitta d Carl on Zdseatios. was one d Mr. ansinaster's shish. Mi. Ikedtramter was bet imissad W tan his stadia to semeationigpriervestptiheardolhechanisiselonsaidatheitset by lard el Carlisle, and both Chief Samitery and Lewd LIMONISIM el Inked. Mr. Buckmaster met his whir eagaged in his reform week, for hie lordship was a dank* enthusiastie Pe *war knew all the advanced spiritsr hit time. Be was each impressed by Mr. Deck-siamer's seal and ability, sad himself bon the o= of sending his Ultimately Mr. to = an appointment under Gone ssest at the old Science and Art Department at South Kea-Gina. Re laboured then for thirty-fn' years, and eventually imam orgamen te%ber. % post ha held fora decode after the usualage limit, ad only relinquished when it was abol-ished in He was than peasiosed off, though " his Ups was not dim nor his natural fora abated."
His Work for Science and Art.
Among the varied activities of Mr. Buckmaster's career, that connected with this work is probably the as important. Neither his youthful ardour on bohaltmt:SAati-Cors Law League not his %imam le in the attempt to preserve the tan Com-mons as open spaces, or hie untiring storks at Battersea sod&Severe for panty and efficiency in local government can compare with the educational work he accomplia When this South Kensington museum, which the potion owes to the foresight of Prince Albert and the energy. of Sir Henry Cole, was firm established, Mr. Buckmaster was appointed an assistant keeper under the late Lord Playfair, and was placed in charge of the Food Collections, organised by his friend Dr. Edwin Leukemic, who, like himself, was the father of distinguished sons. Is this poet be elbowed such marked ability, that wan aa organising master was required to arcane the country to the value of science and an instruotion as the basis of our national industries, and ai explain the conditions under which the State was prepared to aid these instructions Sit was selected for the %Sot For Ohl his quite remarkable gift d eloquence and meal-fest astinaissoi residered him peculiarly fitted ma pa, be *coupled for more than thirty year veiling every town and almost Tillage ie Great Britain and Ireland.. his permissive inessesoe, Sate s for the study of various branches of Sees and art sprang up from one end of the country to the other, sad the earlier loins teaching, which, wham be began barely unolhared % score, icesthey were counted try thonsancb. The sneertW 4 the science and art department is denhop-ing the technical instruotios of the cosart n thus due to Mr. Buckmaster's aniesionary seal as much as to the administrative efforts at head-quarters.
Whenever the South Easeingtea authorise wanted someone to eta er gensfari%% % new was departure it w to r. Balpsiatmer they nate *rally looked. Thus at the denim of the thee Lord President he lectured on the art treseeres collected at the annual exhibition of 1871-18711, while in 1873 he undertook the de-livery of the series of food and cookery lectures' in oonstection with the exhibition of that year. Them teeters were most sucoemdul and led to the establish-mad throughout the country of flourishiag schools of cookery, and to the reoognition of the subject itself se a legitimate pan of the curriculum for girls' schools.
In later years ho turned his attention 0 dm development of instrestiosa in wirers at applied to agriculture, a subject which his early training, ken;Powers of observatioa and love of % country life misdated very.son-geniaL To salt in the spread of scones inching, Mr. Buolasester, with Lord Play-fair'% eneouragreat, and the assistanos of ea or two friends, published es elementary text boobs of science which were practically the first series which Mara could obtain at % small price. When Mr. Leland ram lab office as viapresident of the Council is Viii Mr. Buckmaster's pioneer work cams to % don. The Technical Instruction Act of AN and the later Sdnoatio% Act had placed on % lasting basis the work be had the hat nate of his life to fakir and extend.
A Hard Life.
Reading through his autobiography one wonders equally though partite/saltily (said " Austin Feverel" in writing of Mr. Buckmaster in the "Surrey Comet"), how such experiences left a man with so fine sad soy. tul a teloporanssot, and whether we should la had Mr. Buckmaster as we has Sown him had he not (ODD through ao lath Are. Clearly we should have had no state individual without the marinas, and smoldering the fibre of the man they were obviously the hum environment to bring out his ban asti-r. Bereft of his mother before be was two rare old, brought up by his grandmother. % mercilessly dogged drudge in ha uncle's home, Ind % plough-boy on a farm under the oil-erns%thea are the comporting links is th% lain of a not too happy juvenility. Thep he was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner, earns his trade ap well and quickly that be warred the hostility of his mates. wee ax-listed for breaking his intimates, and stately lectured from a Bench when fifty-a years afterwards be himself at to 'dada- seer ionic* He ran of a moor time, is his messiah mactessfully, uspetistended the wilding of a Country assioa, which still lands n an maniple a what work should b."; me nearly tarried off by snall-pot, but a and by the gratuitous numb* of % rim; ad finally %beadonsd manual labour to tine imalf into the anti-Corn Law osmotic' of be forties.
The Anti-Corn Law Agitation.
Restrained and unexaggerated as Mr. Buckmaster's narrative is, cos ma easily ass that is interest is the political snevement which is ur national himory was so % whelks-alminated is such important eizg=sents parted that all considerations cortedis its gild-tate sums were of far subordiaate empori-a. He travelled about the country Wan-kg and debating in town and village, soadvot-kgelectio%s, attending sonferentes and mg-cling nothing that could promote the sae! the cause be had at heart; sad he did all its with an energy cad % precise Mastics detail that no salary could ever have night: and DO renuantsea nee adequately:rnrcte.sdidoile%the restary roars ens . Thew sermon ar% reread ts asillicsaires oaa amer ociumaaad tits se of the last elation. that Mr. besimesier initiated officially in was the byelecton e the City of Ueda in 11113, that fe% es
3A
tin death of Sir Matthew Wood. and wee the first tuns the City declared for Tree Trade. The Liberal casein:labs ow Mr. Jams Patti; and the Conservative *lapis Mr. Thomas Baring%Vesely disguised as Mr. "Doh masses story as' Mr. Mattawan" sad ' Mr. Flaring" respectively--and Mr. Pattisoa won by % majority of 165 [?].
The last chapter of the autobiography ends with s spirited %ccosaii of the for. metropolitan common whisk Ivan timely recognised as Waadrwertk, The meter for the preservatioa of skis is *Pa Ow* d 150 a lasted for four or In ears, cose be-tweet 04,0011 and 135,000, and owed its in% caption sad secossafpl carrying through en-tirely to Mr. Buckmaster's an$aggtag, *tar-tans. So arduous were his labours tasked that pronounced as his sympathies were with all mob agitatices% be always declared he would rarer have commenced ties battle had ha known what a strain it would be cc him. In this sturdy fight for the preservation of WandswortS Common be was ably backed up by the purse of the late Sir Henry Peek, Bert.. of Wimbledon, and he sent spoke on the subject publicly without paying a debt of Krstitude to that testi:aware%opposed to him in politics as he was%tor his great help and liberality.
The Autumn of His Days.
The deceased was privileged to enjoy the autumn of his life in erten and with the esteem of many frauds. He has been spared to use the harvest and tin full reoognitaou of principles to which his humble efforts wore early direot%d, tied in which be was %intai%%d in the darkest boors. by the earnest couvie time that they were just and right. He res down to the grave &laid the rent and sines re gas of all who know his a bright example Of duty well done, % cherapious of the poor aad oppressed, and a triad benefactor to the widow and orphan.
__________
AN APPRECIATION.
The following it leading artaie from the Mid%W%al Edition of the *Surrey Comet" of Wednesday last:
Full et years. full of honest., Jan Charles Buckmaster, Janice of the Peace sad District Ooturnlier, ha%. Own s life of nearly ninety yen vein in the following of konoerable sad the pursuit of great ideals, pealed to " that bon Ira which no traveller returns." If to lane the world better that on found it is a joy at the sad of lit%. thee that joy most have Sea Mr. Buckmaster's; fee tram the time of his early manhood he was %sg.gM as a practical, sad active works, in sad political efforts for the betterment et the coattion of the people, sad he was privileged to coup tints his activities wail Irian % tow days of the end et his lane life.
When he came to reside in this neighbourhood Mr. Buckmaster was already well stricken in years; but though as old a is years. his wonderful energy and vitality. his remarkable mental activity declared him to be mill young%yollga%T than many men sweaty years his jollier. The story of his We life in this locality would 1111 % voltam. Wei lad him engaged as % Justice of the Pesos. regular at the weekly Innings of the Spelthorne back sad daily haring cases, whoa the police required. at the local police Maths. Ana, at the Licensing Sessions see kiss deeesading 1a1 the arena it the Cart to plead wile kis unwilling oollseisse Is nar-cissi their powers ler the reibesties at the saber ot public-houses. We observe him in the leak two decades of his life Ilightiag several metaled election for a panties a tS kcal District Council. Ia asses and nil of an he was found meioses. for the establishment of a Free Library et Teddington, es peering eat the vials of his wrath epos Jerry Sidon and district cesualkino who palliated their sir %tains* society. A keen controversialist, he had *stained great facility is spa& sad vintage ad his Sow el lanais was remarkable was a picturesque rams sad serried onvieties to kis hearers by his trus%parast hasty, earnests:se sad persuasive . IS Mr. litickmaster beta trained for the Dan be snob inevitably have achieved distinction.
It is difficult for those who have Sews this veteran only duriag the past twenty years Se realise that before be roes npoa the Ideal Sri-son he had already spirt half % %salary in social and political work. The Ian Mr. A. J. Mendell. aid of Mr. Ducknasaler's any life that " some parts may reed like a romance. Those who ant interested is the story et his life may lied it in " % Village Politician: The Life Stery of John Buckley." Left motherless at the age of two. and his early years sowed with aifferings beyond the ordinary, the child's character stiffened and (*ruled, sad wrenght in him the mettle and the courses that enabled him to give practical sym-pathy and assistance so the men] force stet .m31 Of the Chartist movement sad to threw kini% self unffiachingly into the Anti-Cora Law agl. Utica, in spite of the feet that his roletioste were chiefly agriculturiste, who, masequeace damned him. Throat% the eerthesinst sad ability bs displayed is the agitation be attracted the attention of Lord Morpstki, Irk. advised kiln to give up politics% sad tars kis %Unities to the generics caws of public odecatiee Bays Mr. Mundell%, 'Whits was the tuning%and perhaps the caving%poiat of his Stun " Anon we as his at a tieing teller, sad subsequently as % Gunn rs.% social as this bead teacher at a inane convict anabliak-moat; after that as winos master at a see trade-school, sad finally as % pretense el scion and art, sad % leetarer upon cookery, seder IS Science and Art Depart%imas Bath Neasiagioa.
It is a remarkable career, led Mr. Dieckatester was a remarkable man. Ne had clear conic. tions, and the ability and the *saran to stand up for them at all times Red in all pieces. By his consistency and stralitt(orwardness ao ins than by the forte of kis ability, he wee time admiration of mss who were truth, opposed Is Dim is their co%victioas. Toddlers.. ad Hampton Wick an the poorer for the law et this devoted life tress their midi* sad 1. % wide district amend % knell., well-estee%sed proems will bs mimed sad asersed moss SW sad women in all classes of society.
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PUBLIC REFERENCES.
At Tuesday night's special main( of the Hampton Wick Distract Council. before beginning the busies, the Chairman, Dr. EL B. Naps, I.P., roes to express the rie_ of ths Council .t the ciath of Mr. Buckmaster. He said that although sot % neiciat in the village Mr. Bischantair hod takes a great interest in it. and hod presented the memorial to Timothy Bennett, which was erected at the entrance to Busby Park. Although he (the chairman) did not profess to agree with the deceased is many of litie opinion, so ea could fail to records. his earnests and his desire to, in the words inscribed a the Reoriett armorial. lean the world better that he found it. Re would men that % vote of condolence be fog warded to the family.
This was seconded by the %in-chairman, Mr. Bullen, and carried is the usual madner.
The Kingston Reran litatk, at their fun sitting ea Wednesday, Kis Warship the Mane (Councillor 3_ Lambourn) presiding, passed a moieties espressiag their deep sense of the loss which the public had sagaisiaed through the death of Mr. Buckmaster. sad their with their asighboun of the lipeltheriteninel upon the less of a 'nest upright colleagee, wham ardent *Mmest it the admiaistration of jostles made kiln frequent visitor to the mart at the sittiags of the liereugh
Speaking at the prize distribution to the pupils of the Convent school, at the Teddington Parish-hat on Wednesday!reining, the Rev. Father Richardson, rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Teddington, said there was an old familiar hoe absent from their gathering this year, one who had bees with them for the last tweet. years. It was hardly emissary to manticn his name, but he men do so. Their dear fried Mr. Buckmaster had gas to hie rest, and then were very few swabs of the Catholic Church and of those who we as* members Of it, who did eat ows % rest debt to him for what he had doom for the poor is this district. They felt lie los sow. but they would feel it more keenly when poverty came in the winter and that gracious lead had goes from these. And so he would ask them to remember that *tad Christian nes who had waked a hard for the district, and amemially for the poor. While they ocumesided his to God for the work he had done in alleviating the poverty of the people is Teddington, that work would still remain with thorn se a cherished, and maciaity his work in oonasetion with that school. is orgeolieg skink he tee& amok an interest.
An Account of the Funeral will be found on page 7.
By the death of Mr. John Charles Buckmaster, Ashleigh, Hampton Wick, which took place on Monday, 20th ult.. there has passed away an interesting personality whose memoir will "long kept green this district." Born at Slapton more than 80 years ago, when education had not obtained the prominent position in public estimation that it holds to-day, his own industry and exertions he rose from the lowly occupation of "a farmer's boy" to a post of considerable prominence in the educational world. In fact, on his decease numberless teachers and others of his acquaintance will feel that they have lost a valued friend.
The late Mr. Buckmaster was one of the early students at Battersea Training College. He for a Iong time filled the post of schoolmaster at Pankhurst Prison, Isle of Wight, and later on was on the staff of the Trade Schools at Poplar and Wandsworth. Mr. Buckmaster's wide acquaintance with teachers was, however, due to his position Organising Master of Schools and Classes under the South Kensington Science and Art Department.
The remarkable success which attended his efforts in this post was largely due to the confidence inspired in the Elementary teachers the country, and to his unfailing sympathy with their difficulties. Technical instruction in this country owes its present position very largely to Mr. Buckmaster's official work as the accredited organisations of England and Scotland have not failed to testify.
