A VETERAN HEADMASTER.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17021, 18 December 1920, Page 9

A VETERAN HEADMASTER.

! • I I FAREWELLS TO MR C. E. j 1 BEVAN-BROWN. ! ; • j j Tlie annual prize-giving ceremony of I ' the Christ-church Boys' High School j | was a historic "no in that it marked j i the k-lose of tho long career as head-1 j master of Mr C. E. Bevan-Brown, who i has resigned after having been at the j i helm of the school for 30 years. The : Canterbury College Hall was completely ! filled last night, and,, after tlie actual prize-giving numerous speakers paid tribute to Mr Bevan-Brown's great | career, and the immense amount of j work ho had done for tho Boys' High j School. The speeches were punctuated! by frequent applause, and the headnias-| ter, who was visibly affected when ho j roso to speak, had a tumultuous recep-i tion. j M.- J. C. Adams, on behalf of the j Board of Governors of Canterbury College, said that the occasion was unique in the history of the Boys' High School. Parents, old boys, and present boys knew tho wonderful influence Mr Bevan-Brown had brought to bear on all who had passed through the school, both when they wero at school, and after they had gone forth into the world. Apart from the sincerity and • influence his character had been able | to exert throughout his long headmas- j tcrship, Mr Bevan-Brown had endeared j himself to every boy becauso ho had taken such a living interest in every-) thing connected with tho school, and I becauso lie had always kept in close j personal touch with his boys. During tho war, probably no other master in the Dominion had taken such an interest in his old boys who had gone to tho front, and the influence that Mr BevanBrown had exercised during those years would outlast more than one generation. On behalf of tho Board of Governors, of which ho is dcputy-chairman; Mr Adams said farewell to Mr BevanBrown, and remarked that his personal friendship with Mr Bevan-Brown would last Avhilo life lasted. Mr R. M. Laing, on behalf of the masters of the Boys' i±ig.h School, said that tho school owed a debt of gratitude to Mr Bevan-Brown for' his untiring work in tho interests of the school, and thereby in tho t>cst interests of the State. *Mr Laing extended a hearty word of welcome to tho new headmaster, Mr G. J. Lancaster, and said that it must afford tho late headmaster much gratification to know that he was passi ing over tho reins to such a capable successor. For 36 years, the speaker I continued, Mr Bevan-Brown had given ! 60 minutes of every hour to tho interests of tho. school, in school and out, in term and out. Ho had given his best to the school the wliolo time, and bis reign had been a record one. Ho had, in that time, seen- tho numbers of tho school rise from 70 to 450, and they would bo still larger if there wero, the accommodation. Tho school had made wonderful progress, scholastically, athletically, and in every other way, j under Mr Bevan-Brown, and to each and evorv institution connected with 'the school" he had given a helping hand. Ho had endeared himself to thousands of boys scattered «11 over the world, on; many of whom his example had had a lasting influence. Mr Laing proceeded to speak of tho extreme smoothness with which tho inner wheels of the school had gone round under Mr BevanBrown'B leadership, and the; complete absenco of unpleasantness with cither the staff, the parents, and tho Ho was proud to have been associated so long (about 35 years) with such a headmaster. Mr T. W. Cane, who also sevored his connexion with the school yesterday after over 20 years on and off the staff, said j that Mr'Bevan-Brown had really trained him as a teacher, and under him 'ho had learned a very great deal. Ho had j also found that Mr Bevan-Brown took nothing at false values. For instance, ho did not believo in "cram" in order i to"'brLng scholastic honours to school. Mr Bevian-Brown was not only a splendid headmaster, he was a most companionable man, an astute judge of character, .a joyous man, and one who dispensed blessings, but thunderbolts ho dispensed with. In conclusion, Mr Cano expressed (his own regret at severing his connexion with the school. | Dr. J. Guthrie, vice-president of the Old Boys' Assoeiaiiop, expressed the great regard and appreciation which all old boys felt for tneir old headmaster. After some humorous reminiscences of his own school days under Mr BevanBrown, Dr. Guthrie handed to Mr Bevan-Brown, on behalf of the old boys, a silver ivory-handled trowel, bearing . tho_inscription, "Balbus murum aedificavit" (Balbus has built his wall). Mr G. J. Langaster, headmaster-elect, briefly returned thanks for tho words of welcome extended to him by tho previous speakers, and 6aid that his ambition was to t-M-n out boys who would bo up to the ok. traditions of tho school. Ho was not, as a friend had suggested to him, going to transform the school into a. "nest of swots," realising tho very great value and necessity of the athletic side of school life. Ho hoped to have the heljj of tlio boys, the parents, and the old boys, for he had many difficulties to face. As a member of the staff, Mr Lancaster added his quota to the eulogies already made of the retiring headmaster, to whom, he said, he himself owed a -very great debt, a debt which ho could only "pay off by doing his best in carrying on Mr-Bevan-Brown's great work, and by endeaVouring to become a worthy successor to him. 8 Mr Bevan-Brown's Eeply. Mr Bevan-Brown, in reply, said ho did not want praise, but lie. did cravo i'or affection, and his great reward on leaving tho school was tho number of tokens of tho affectionate moniory which ho was, tiiank God', apparently leaving behind him. Ho knew that all the expressions mado concerning him wero rfot deserved, but. he knew the kindly feeling that lay behind them, and for that he was thankful. That night was not only tho boys' prizo night, but his own. He had received that day many prizes which he would ever cherish, accompanied by expressions of affection and goodwill. The little symbolic present ho had just received from tho Old Boys he would always treasuro as a memento of his happy days at tho school, and of tho boys who. had gone through his hands. Tho wall had not been built as well as it might havo been, but yet a wall had been built, and that was something to mako on© happy Mr BevanBrown urged all his hearers to give all the help in their power to his successor in the interests of tho old school. Continuing, ho said that all his dealings with tho Board of Goveniora.had been happy ones, and he wished to'lJiank them for nil their help to him. ffo wished also io thank the bovß, and the masters for having associated with him in their gifts that afternoon Mrs Bevan-Brown, his loyal life's partner. As he had previously said, the link between him and the boys could never be severed. It was forged to last forever, and lie would always take an interest in the dear old school and in each of the boys. The present boys wero the top course of the wall so far as it had been built. "I am sure von will not disappoint mv hopes." he concluded, "that you will' live and ar>t worthy of tW old Black and Blue. Cod bl<fes you all." Hearty cheers wero given for Mr and Mrs Bevan-Brown, after which the school song "Altiora Pcto" was lustilv sung.

PRESENTATION FROM THE BOYS. ] Tho boys of tho school congregated ! in largo numbers in tho big room of tho j school yesterday afternoon to bid good- j bye to Mr and Mrs Bevan-Brown. *11. G. Shepherd, a promising young j orntor. on behalf ot' tho Lower School, | expressed tho regret that tho wholo j school felt at loMng their headmaster, whom all, uo matter how short their time at the school, loved and adored. Oil tho field of sport and tho lield of work ho had always led them, and m evorv phase oi tchool lite ho had upheld the nouour of the old "ii.uo and Black. For 3ti years ho had laboured, and ho had made tho strong chaiaeteristies pertaining to it. Mr lievan-lSrown had always led his boys t<, dir tlie right thing at the right moment, and had set a tine example which would never "die m the hisfcorv of the school. To tho boya, he was '"'Bnlbus.*' Thev did not know hint as Sir Bevnn-Brown; ho was Balbt'.s, their dearly loved headmaster. They would never forget him as long as thev lived, nar his words of truth, l;nnestv. and instruction. Saving goodbye was a mere ceremony. They could not forget him, nor let him go out of their lives. To Mr and Mrs BevanTSrowti tho speaker wished many years ( of health and happiness in their retirement, _ Three cheers were given for Mi jNlrs Bevan-Brown, and then I. "VV 1 . Donnelly, for the middle school, said that that day thev were marking off the first great epoch in the life of tho school. Mr Bevan-Brown had led the school from its inception, with the excoption ot one brief period, and it hnd grown under him from an insignificant school to one of the gteatest m the Dominion. Tho prosperity it now enjoyed *vas due to Mr Bevan-Brown, and to him alone. He llnd nlivays endeavoured to lead his bovs to ideal manhood. _ He had always taken a deep personal interest in each ami every bov, and ho had always been scrupulously fair in his admonishments. He was now going to have a well-earned rest, with nothing he conld look back to with and with the knowledge that everything ho had dono had been in the best interests of the_ boys, and that the school had under his guidance grown from infancy to sturdy manhood. AH who had been under im knew that if ther lived up to the standard ho h«d set. their future would lie bright. The sneaker concluded with reference to Mrs Bevan-Brown'n deep interest in every phase of the life of the school, to which she had been "the great mother." J. C. Forsyth, the senior monitor, briefly wished Mr and Mrs BevanBrown, tho best of health and happiness in tho futurq life, and then han.'cd to Mrs Bevan-Brown a silver cpergne. Mrs Bevnn-Brown, who was loudly applauded, in returning thanks expressed her gratitudo for the kind thoughts the boys had expressed that day, and had always expressed. The days of connexion with the school had been nothing but days of happiness to her and 3lr Bevan-Brown, and the school was not not» going out of their lives. Three hearty checrs were given for Mrs Bevan-Brown, o'nd Forsyth then presented Mr Bevan-Brown with _ a handsome club chair, bearing the inscription on a silver plate: "To our beloved headmaster from tho bovs of his -school, September 17th, 1920." Then followed a Latin inscription. which in the translation, read: "\Ye, as it were tho stones of a wall well and truly built through so many years, wish to signify by these gifts our Viigliest lovo and greatest thanks, oh dear master." Loud cheers and clapping greeted the retiring headmaster, who thanked .the > boys for the presents,' which, he said, lie would value all his life, both for j their value and for tht> token they were of love and goodwill of the boys. He greatly appreciated tho fact that he carried with him into his retirement their affection. Continuing, Mr BovanB,rown said that he had been gratified durin"- the past year at the successes of the school, and at the good spirit that existed, and he was glad to know that he left behind a splendid set of senior hoys, as good as the best tho nchool had ever had. Mr Bevan-Brown expressed his pleasure that the gathering was held in the "Big Room.'- the room which bore so many associations, and in which so ii]any important functions in connexion with the school had taken place, such as the farewell to the Main Body, and numerous welcomes homo to old j boys returned from the front. In conclusion, Mr Bevan-Brown said that nothing could ever sever tho link between him°and the school. "God bless you all! Good-bye!" he added. THE MASTERS'TRIBUTE. Following on the presentation from the hoys, a largo gathering of masters md past-masters me; Mr and Mrs Bevan-Brown, Mr li. M. Xiaing, whi has been on tho staff for about 35 years, presiding. Sir Laing said that it was eotne 36 ycaTs ago tOxat he had first seen Mr Bevan-Brown, and he Had joined his staff two years or so later. Mr BevanBrown's indefatigable work for the school had been crowned with very great success. He had won the esteem, of masters," boys, and parents alike. All wished him io best of health and happiness in his retired life, in which he -would undoubtedly continue to tako an interest in the young life around him. " Mr Laing then handed to Mr and Mrs Bevan-Brown a silver tea service, witlh tho following inscription in Latin: "8.H.5., Christchureh. C. E. BevanBrown, M.A., Oxon. Headmaster 1883 to 1920. From members of tho staff, as a token of fond esteem and respect, to one whose chief labour and love for 87 years was the honour and welfare of his school." Mr T. W. Cane, a master on and off for 27 years, said that tihe many masters who had been at the school had been ot all types, but not one had failed to "kit it off well" with the headmaster. All appreciated (his unfailing good-fel-lowship, and all that he had done for them. Mr A. Merton, with S3 yeans' service on the staff, spoke of the great work Mr and Mrs Bevan-Brown had ! done for old boys during the war. Tho [school motto, "Altiora Peto" (I seek higher things), which the Headmaster had chosen, was typical of the man himself, who had his life through lived that motto. I ! Mr H. S. Baverstock, on behalf of j the iunior masters, briefly Temarked on tho high influence Mr Bevan-Brown ex- 1 ercised ovV - the younger masters. He was a centre towards -which their best thoughts were directed. Mr W. Walton, for many years a senior mathematical master at tho «chool, said that every master who had l;een <it tho school owed a deep personal debt to Jlr Bevan-Brown for his example, influence, and help. In reply, Mr Bevan-Brown expressed his deep gratitudo at being invited to meet tne masters that afternoon. At sudi a crisis in one's life, one could not express one's thoughts, and ho himself yrould not try to do so. He hod, during his career, been most fortunate in having for his staff men of character and of ability, and ho thouglht he could safely say that at no previous time had i ho had a more loyal staff than tho one ne had had. during tihe past year. In I leaving the school, one of tho things ! he regretted most was his leaving the I good-fellowship of the masters. ! Mrs Bevan-Brown also briefly returned thanks to the masters for their gift and for their unswerving loyalty to her, husband. Three cheers for .Air and Mrs BevanBrown concluded the gathering i