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158 collision with the steamer "Favourite," and was instantaneously sunk, with the calamitous and appalling result that Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, their children and servants, were drowned, only the passengers, who happened to be on deck, being saved by getting on board the "Favourite." The Province of Otago was thus deprived of the services of a gentleman who appeared in many respects to be eminently qualified for the important position to which he had been appointed. It was resolved by the Board to request the three gentlemen formerly nominated, again to select a Rector for the High School, in the room of Mr. Campbell. Mr. Abram, at the request of the Board, readily undertook the duties of Head Master until the arrival of the Rector. The school was opened by Mr. Abram on August 3rd, 1863, and was conducted by him, Mr. Brent, and an assistant, with satisfactory results. The pupils numbered about 80; ten of these came from various parts of Otago and the neighbouring Provinces. The large central hall was the only portion of the building then completed, and was temporarily divided into three class-rooms.

In due course the Rev. F. C. Simmons, B.A. of Lincoln College, Oxford, and Head-master of the Dundee Proprietary School, was appointed Rector, and he entered on his duties in May, 1864. About the same time the teaching power of the school was greatly strengthened by the appointment of Mr. J. H. Pope as an additional master. The accommodation was increased by the addition of two wings to the original building, in one of which a residence was provided for the rector and his family, and for a few pupil boarders. The attendance at the school continued to increase for several years. Mr. Simmons conducted the school with much ability and success until June, 1868, when he resigned on his appointment to the Principalship of Nelson College. Mr. Simmons possessed considerable force of character, and was of a generous though somewhat impulsive disposition. His official relations with the Education Board were throughout of a friendly nature. He exercised great influence over the pupils of the school, especially those more immediately under his own tuition, by many of whom his memory is still held in affectionate remembrance. The duties of acting rector were