KING'S OLD BOYS.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 158, 5 July 1924, Page 11

KING'S OLD BOYS.

SUCCESSFUL SMOKE CONCERT. TRIBUTES TO MR. C. T. MAJOR. The annual reunion of the King's College Old Boys' Association was advanced a further step last evening, when a smoke concert was held in the Masonic Hall, Princes Street, Mr. F. J. A. Hellaby' presiding over a large attendance. Among the guests were: Mr. C. T. Major (head- , master of King's College), Mr. P. Oil- j ton-Smith (headmaster at King's School), I Messrs. V. J. Lamer and J. E. Makgill ! (members of the Board of Governors), ! the Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Averill), j Mr. J. F. Ewen (representing English! public schools), tMr. A. E. Mulgan \ (representing the Auckland Grammar • 0.8. Association), Mr. A. H. Bridges 1 (representing Christ College 0.8. Asso- i ciation), Mr. L. P. Leary (representing' Wellington College 0.8. Association), ! and members of ihe college statl'. After the toast of "The King" had i been honoured, the president, in pro- \ posing the toast of "Our Old School," ; welcomed back Mr. Major, who returned ' from 'a trip to England at the begin- j ning of the year, and expressed pleasure, j on behalf of the Old Boys, in seeing him , restored to his former health and j strength. Referring to the memorial chapel at the college, Mr. Hellaby said that the structure was now taking j form and far exceeded all expectations, j being a marked credit to both the i architect and builder. The chapel is I a gift from the Old Boys' Association | in memory of these Old Boys who laid j down their lives in the Great War. As ■ regards the position that King's Col- , lege is to take in the community in future years, the president said that the responsibility was felt by the Old Boys, as it was their earnest wish to . see the school continue as well in the j future as in past years. In proposing I the toast, the president coupled with i it the name of Mr. Major. | Replying, Mr. Major touched on the ] various public schools which he visited in England, and explained the position I that these schools held in their communities. In submitting the toast of "Absent Old Boys," Dr. Averill said that the toast brought back sad days, but in the midst of the sadness there was a joyous pride. For in thinking of Absent Old Boys they associated these Old Boys who represented the school, the country, and the Empire in the Great War — the boys who went and did not return. The memory of those who laid down their lives and left an honourable name would always be honoured. As the Old Boys grew in numbers they were encircling the world but, although scattered, through the activities of the association they were all linked to a common centre. In thanking the Old Boys for their continued interest in the chapel, Dr. Averill said that the chapel —■ the centre of school life —was the link that connected Old Boys with their school. The structure, besides being ! worthy of its great purpose —for nothing is better for a memorial than a [chapel —would be one of the links to ! unite Old Boys with the college in the I future and for all time. Another great I connecting link with the college would ibe the personality of the headmaster, Mr. Major. (Applause.) Dr. Averill I urged the ex-collegians to realise the | wonderful connection they still have 'with the school. One of the greatest . assets that a school can have is an active band of Old Boys. At the con--1 elusion of his Lordship's speech, those | present stood in silence for a minute. lin memory of tho Old Boys who sacri- | iiced their lives in the Great War. ' "We can't overestimate the assistance old boys' associations can give to the schools to which they belong," said Mr. J. F. Ewen, in replying to the tcast of "Kindred Associations," proposed by Mr. S. J. Hanna. lie wished the association every success and prosperity in the future. Mr. L. P. Leary also replied to the toast. The final toast of the evening, that of "The Masters," was proposed by Mr. 'M. R. Reed, who paid a high tribute to the work of the masters of the college ! during Mr. Major's absence in England • last year. It was gratifying to know ; that the headmaster had such a loyal •body of supporters. Mr. J. U. Collyns, assistant headI master, thanked Mr. Major for the | tribute he had paid the staff regarding their work during his absence. Referring to this year's football team, Mr. Collyns said that boys in New Zealand jdo not stay as long at school as they do in England, with the result that ] every two or three years the schools j have a particularly young and inexperiI enced team. Although not making any , excuse for the performances of the team ito date this year, he was confident that the boys would show greatly improved I form towards the end of the season. I (Applause.) Mr. Collyns paid a tribute to the college chaplain (Mr. Robert- ! Shaw), who is severing his connection . with the school at the end of the present : term. i During the evening vocal and instru- ! mental items were given by Messrs. S. : Pritchard, A. McEhvain, Kingsland, Pickering, D. Flood, and the New Zea- , land Vocal Quartet (Messrs. 11. Gasi quoine, F. Adeane, A. Asbury and D. i Black), who were accorded an ovation for their brilliant part-singing. A sports meeting will be held at the college this afternoon, and a theatre party will attend the pantomime "Aladdin" at His Majesty's Theatre in the evening. The festivities will conclude to-morrow with a motor drive to i the college. =======