STURDY BROWN BOYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 292, 10 December 1925, Page 10

STURDY BROWN BOYS.

ST. STEPHEN'S SCHOOL " BREAK-UP." FINE ATHLETIC DISPLAY. MAORI RACE WANTS LEADERS. Most of us have admired the marching of the boys of St. Stephen's Native School, Parnell, or been amused when at some public gathering they have given one of. their, rousing hakas. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Parnell, with its Church memories since the days of Selwyn, St. Stephen's is really very little known to the people of Auckland. Its stalwart brown pupils and the black and gold of their school colours, often seen at cadet parades, or some charitable function, are familiar enough to most of us, but as to the actual work of the school most people are decidedly vague. However, that a certain number take an interest in the boys was shown yesterday afternoon when tile school broke up and the prizes were presented. Strangers would be puzzled to notice among the brown faces those of three little pakeha boys. They were not, however, interlopers, but properlj enrolled day-boys, for the deed of trust under which the school is managed.provides for a certain "number of white boys as well as brown. It is a very old trust, and the quaint old low stone buildings always served to remind one of its age. Latterly the antique row of rooms, or, perhaps we might say, cells, each with its chimney, has been very much encroached upon l)y higher, more hygienic, but not nearly so picturesque wooden buildings, and to-day there is only a very short length of it left. Although old, the trust is apparently not so wealthy, but from some remarks dropped at yesterday afternoon's gathering, we may see something in the future. There was mention of the nucleus of a fund for a chapel and even a hint of a new college. But even with the present facilities excellent work "is done, and the guests yesterday took the greatest interest in the evidences of the boys' progress—in spite of the two months lost at the beginning of the year through the unfortunate epidemic. Particularly good was the part singing. Spectacular Athletics. After the ceremony inside the schoolroom the guests adjourned to the cool green field, attractively spacious in a crowded city, where a tent had been erected and there afternoon tea was served, and the boys gave one of their clever al fresco gymnasium "turns." The work on the parallel bars was good, there was some creditable tumbling, and the work on the "horse" was specially neat, but most spectacular of all was the series of human pyramids, a form of display that the St. Stephen's boys have made their own as far as Auckland isconcerned. With the parallel bars as sorts of basis they built up quite elaborate figures from the simple pile of boys kneeling on the back of the one under him, starting on a wide base and ending with a single figure, vto a very complicated structure in which some of the lads stand on their heads, and others' assume attitudes something like, the diving mascot one sees on the front .of some moior gars. There were about half different style's ;of pyramid, and each was wurnily applauded by the visitors. ■ ... Most of the boys in the school are Maoris, but of recent years several of the Pacific Islands have been represented, and to-day there are Rarotongans, a Samoan, and even a boy from At the prize-giving ceremony in the schoolroom, Mr. A. B. Roberton, chairman of the General Trust Board, presided, and in congratulating the school on the good progress made during the year he said Mr. Wilson, the headmaster, had become quite an institution, and as long as he was at the school there would be no reason to trouble about the results. Mrs. Wilson, had also taken the keenest interest in the boys. Mr. Smyth, 3Vtr. Wilson's first assistant, and Mr. Dunn, were also deserving of thanks. School's Noble Destiny. Mr. Wilson, in giving a very satisfactory account of the progress of the year, said the average attendance had been between 70 and 75 boys. They now had four Pacific Island boys, including one from distant Fiji. The health of the school had been good, and for the first time since 1918 they had escaped an •epidemic of influenza cold. The school had done very well at the examinations, passes being 90 per cent, and a number of proficiency certificates has been gained. Archbishop Averill, : who presented the prizes won in school'and on the playing field, gave a characteristically encouraging talk to the boys, and corigratμlated everybody on the excellent work that had been done during the year. He went on to refer to the important step of creating a separate diocese for the Maori people, and. what it meant for St. Stephen's. "I want to emphasise," said his Grace, "the tremendous influence that this and similar schools must exercise in training boys for leadership. In this new diocese which is now- being created there will be a considerable number of Maoris who will occupy important posts, and very much depends on such schools as St. Stephen's for the training of the lads who will be taking these positions. In view of the change that is coming to the Maori church much will depend on these secondary schools. lam glad to know that two of our St. Stephen's boys are going to take Holy Orders. We cannot have a better type of boy than we have here at St. Stephen's and at TeAute." His Grace went on to say that the time was ripe for the rebuilding of St. Stephen's. Where it would be built he did not know, but it was most certainly due. He sincerely hoped there would be a chapel in connection with the new college. They had one at Tβ Aute, and he hoped that the new St. Stephen's would be built round one, so to speak. He felt sure that a great many people in Auckland would be interested if it wez-e known that it was intended to have a chapel at St. Stephen's, and he was sure they would get much help towards that object. His Grace referred to the presence of South Sea Island boys among the Maori boys, and hoped that when they went back home they would carry with them the good lessons they had absorbed at St. Stephen's.