TO THOSE WHO SERVED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10133, 10 June 1924, Page 5

TO THOSE WHO SERVED

OLD PUPSLS 1 TRIBUTE.

HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIAL.

LIBRARY AND ROLL OF HONOUR

The opening of the High School Memorial Library, representing the tribute of the pupils, past and present, and teachers to the old boys of the school who served in the Great War, took place this afternoon, and in conjunction with the same ceremony the unveiling of the memorial tablets was also performed. There was a large gathering of old pupils, parents, present pupils, the school staff, and othors interested, and the opening and unveiling ceremonies were performed by the Minister for Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. Dowriie Stewart. The memorial library is an imposing building in red'brick and white stone, following as far as possible the design of the Assembly Hall to which it is connected. The inside dimensions are 34 feet by 27. Th% building scheme is, broadly speaking, high walls of brick marked out in black, symmetrical and well-proportioned corner-pieces, and a protruding entrance of brick, plain and ornamental. Inside the .porch thus formed are two huge columns done in I white stone, which support above them smooth white stonework, on which is 'inscribed the words "Memorial Lib- j rary, 1924." Round the three sides of the building projecting stonework in white adds the toaich which gives symmetry and grace to the whole. The main entrance is from the east, where access may be had from the playing grounds i and this fact has the further advantage of reminding the scholars as they pass by to and from indulgence in the school sports, of the sacrifices which have been made by those who have gone before, and who also left their mark on the life of the school jn the fields of sport and scholar- j ship. A further reminder of this is the marble memorial tablet, 24 inches by 16, in the southern wall of the en-j trance, upon which is inscribed in letters of gold:—"Memoriah Library, erected by the pupils and staff in honour of old boys, nurses, and masters, numbering over '240, who served in the war, 1914-18." Thi& concrete steps lead one from the playing ground, past the columns and doors of wood, into a spacious and well-lighted interior. Electricity is installed throughout. The walls are high and of plaster, with two large windows facing each aspect, and sliding doors the room from the Assembly Hall. On either side, for several feet up from the floor, are the cases, with sliding doors, which will hold the literary treasures of the centuries,

and above them are hung photographs of many of those who served in ■ the

Great War. Conspicuous among these hangings are a painting of the historic landing at Sedd-el-Bahr, Gallipoli, on April 25 (Anzac Day), and a poignant scene from a Flanders battlefield.

Turning from a contemplation of these, one's notice is instantly attracted to what forms the centrepiece of the lihrary—the memorial roll of honour. Above the main entrance the school coat of arms is carved in oak, under

which is a scroll "Virtus in Arduis"

(Courage in difficulties). On either side, each occupying a space of 6ft. by 4ft. 4in., the rolls of honour stand out in carved oak. The names of over 240 past pupils are carved thereon in dignified relief. Fifty-one of these laid down their lives in the cause of freedom, and their names form the centre list in each. One hundred! iand ninety-five others served in the conflict. The names of those who paid the supreme sacrifice are as follow: Thomas Henry Alexander. Connell Allen. John McPeake Bell, Stanley Berryman. Herbert Edward Breach. Leslie Johnson Buchanan. - Alfred Thomas Burnard. George Hendry Campbell. Herbert Capon. John Stanley Church. Arthur ■William Claridge. Cecil Collins. Arthur L. Cooper. Gordon Craighead. ' Frank Culverhouse. Charles de Chair Denshire. Wilfred Ellis Dove. George K. Duff. Joseph Allan Elliott. Hugh Murray Graham. Leonard John Greenslade. Samuel John Gudsell. Thomas Vernon Hampton. William Roland Erroll Hood. Leslie .John Kelly. David Manson. . George C. Mayne. -, Jack ReginaldTVlillar. William Baxter Morrison. Stewart Gordon McCallum. AlexandeT Peter Mcßae. Donald Alexander Mcßae. John Leo O'Carroll. William George Patching. Leonard Murray Percy. George Pitt. John Trask Porter. Leonard John Rountree. Walter George Sage. Edwin Hugh Senior. Eric George Smith. George A. Smith. George Wm. Hay Smith. Herbert Wiretnu Steel. David William Strange. Robert Morris Terriss. Rupert Jennings Thomas. Robert John Tremain. Francis Clive Upton. John Warren Hight Watson. William George Woods. _. ,

The architect for the building was Mr E. M. Gabites, and the contractors Messrs James Smith and Sons. Mr F. G. Guernsey, of Christchurch, executed the work of carving the roll of honour. '.', ,- , The service, which was comprised of appropriate scripture readings, hymns, prayer, and addresses, was conducted by the Rev. J. F. Wiseman, C.F., of Ashburton, and the. Rev. S. J. Werren. C.F., of Christchurch, >an old boy of the School. Among those present were the chairman (Mr O. Reid), and members of the High School Board., the Mayor aind Mayoress (Mr and Mrs R. Gal'braith), and Borough Councillors, representatives of the County Council, Colonel R. Young, Christchurch (officer! commanding Southern Military District). Colonel Findlay, president of the Ashburton branch of the R.S.A., and many other representative citizens. A section of the First Canterbury Mounted Rifles Band was present, and led the sinking. The rector of the school (Mr W. F. Watters) read the list of names , of those old bovs who had made the supreme sacrifice. The assemblage then

stood for two minutes in respectful silence. Bandsman Geo. Whiting sounded the "Last Post" and the "Reveille." "Can Never Forgive." Mr C. Reid read a number of apologies' from those unable to be present,, including the Hon. W. Nosworthy and?. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, and Mr R. 8.Bell, of Timaru. Mr Reid said it was-, very fitting to have with them that; day the Hon. Downie Stewart, who Kadi gone through and suffered severely in* the war. "I can never forgive the Germans unless they repent," said Mr Reid. "There must be repentance • forthe 'fearful atrocities they did. I< arm not a. vindictive man, but repentance l must come before forgiveness." - ' Mr? Reid went on to paj' a glowing tribute* to the boys who had gone from the school, arid remarked upon the fine sentiments which were at all times instilled into the minds of the pupils.. In connection with the building, hehoped the Minister would support the> granting of a subsidy towards its; cost. jfProceeding.)/