Margaret Irene Wilkinson, the younger daughter and third child of the Rev. Frank Howitt and Helen Margaret Wilkinson was born in the Canton district of China where her parents were Presbyterian missionaries from 1920 to 1927.

On their return to New Zealand the Rev Wilkinson was inducted into the Wadestown parish from 1927 until 1935. At that time Margaret was enrolled at Glen Huntly Private School.

In 1935 Rev Wilkinson accepted a call to Trinity Church, (then in Barnard Street) Timaru. According to entries in the TGHS Chronicles the Wilkinson family were very hospitable and senior hostel girls were entertained to evenings at the manse.

Margaret Irene (b 2nd October 1925) was enrolled at the TGHS Preparatory School on February 4th 1936, with the enrolment book showing that she left in 1939 for health reasons.

Prizegiving results published in the Timaru Herald in 1937 record that she was awarded a prize for needlework at the Preparatory School.

She died at her parents’ home, Trinity Manse, 41 Russell Square, Timaru, on April 20th 1942, aged 16, and is buried in the Timaru Cemetery.

The bird bath in our High School grounds was planned and dedicated by Rev and Mrs Wilkinson in memory of their daughter, and is a fitting memorial to one who, during her attendance at the Preparatory School, taught her friends to love all creatures, especially birds.

The Wilkinson’s elder daughter, Mary Laura (b 28th Feb 1922) had attended Queen Margaret College in Wellington before her enrolment at TGHS in February 1936, taking the Professional Course. She left TGHS in 1939, then attended Otago University, where she graduated with a B.A in 1943.

Only son, Andrew Cameron Howitt had five years at TBHS and commenced his medical studies at Otago University in 1941, graduating with M.B. Ch.B in 1947.

Rev Wilkinson retired for health reasons in 1946 living in Dunedin and Lower Hutt until his death in 1956. His wife, Helen Margaret had died in December 1960.