THE RHODES SCHOLAR.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17180, 24 June 1921, Page 9

THE RHODES SCHOLAR.

ME S. P. McCALLTJM ENTERTAINE9. , There was a. largo .gathering in the Assembly Hall at the Ashburton High School yesterday afternoon, when Mr S. P. McCallum, tho Rhodes Sch'plnr, and an old pupil of the High School, was cntortained and made a presentation. Tho Jlayor (Mr IT. Galbraitb), who presided, remarked that they had mot to do honour to ono who had passed through tho High School and who. had since gained the high distinction of being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. In addition to this, Mr McCnllurn had, while-a pupil at- tho High School, been tho first to gain tho Fooks Memorial Prize. Ho wa s now proceeding to England to continue his studies at ttxfora University, and he was sure he would put tho same amount of sceal into hia scholastio work there as he had done up to tho present and there, was no saying to what heights he might yet attain in tho educational profession. Mr Mo Calluni was Ashburton horn, and Ashburton was proud of what ho hod so far accomplished. To win a Scholarship meant vory high uttaihraontSj and ho was. suro Mr McCallnm TTad all tho attributes of a Hhodcs Bcholar. He hoped ho would enjoy good health while at Oxford, and that he would return to New Zealand and again take up the profession, of teaching. On behalf of the inhabitants of Ashburton tind district ho warmly congratulated Mr McCaJhira,, and wished him ovory possible success jn his future career. • - Mr C. Roid, chairman of the County Council, also congratulated Mr McCallum on" behalf of the residents of tho county as a whole, on tho high attainments ho had achieved. Mr McCallnm had started at tbo very bottom of tho ladder, and had very nearly roached th« top. Ho hoped ho would reach tho top as time went ell. Ho had always been willing to help others, and this was one of tho finest attributes a man could" have, and he wis Euro, whilo Mr McCallum was pursuing, his studies at Oxford, he. would be over ready to help along those who were worlahg with him. It was a high honour he had already won, and he (tho speaker) felt it an honour to havo til© Bg-asure of addressing tho gathering that day. Ho had known Mr McCallum from his very early youth, and was proud of him. He wished him .tho best of boalth, and hoped he_wouid achieve still higher honours. I Mr K H. Orr, on behalf of the High ! School Old Pupils' Association, re.marked that it gave- them tho greatest ; pleasure to congratulate Mr McCallum ion Ihe honour tho New Zealand Unijrersity had conferred 'upon him. It 'was a wiso choice-on tho part of the i University, and he vraa mire Mr McCallum would make the best use of tho , gifts that were in him. Ho had in tho (past been at the head of the. High School in athletics as well as in scholjnstic attainments. , He thanked tbo «Borough and County Councils on behalf ©fthe Old Pupils' Association, and all others who had subscribed towards the testimonial. During his career at Oxford tho Old* Pupils' Association , would do all it could to, see that ho ■ would not be wanting in anything ho might require. Mr F. W. Watters, headmaster of tbo High School, warmly congratulated Mr and Airs McCallum on their son's" achievements, and 6aid they were all proud of his success. From the oe • ginning of his school career Mr McCallnm had distinguished himself in athletic as well as in his scholastic duties, and it was largely owing, to tho. up-, bringing his parents had given that he had ""been able to accomplish what he, had. Whilo continuing hia career at Canterbury College, his studies hart been broken through his two years' service at the war, but in spite of this he had gained high distinction. Tho Mayor then, on behalf of the High School Old Pupils' Association, the Borough and County Councils, and tho citizens of Ashburton, presented Mr McCallum with a well-filled wallet. Both tho Borough and County Councils had willingly subscribed towards Mr McCalhim's expenses while he was ut Oxford, and lie tinderstood the Old Pupils' Association intended to moke an annual contribution. Mr McCallum, in reply,, said hia surroundings, and what had been done rather overawed him, but ho wished to express his sincere thanks. Ho had been very fortunate in his environment in Ashburton, and ho owed a deep debt of gratitude to his parents, to Mr Waiters, to Mr J. Stewart (tho second master of the High School}, for the good influence they bad had upon him. Mr Wattera had been moro than his headmaster, he had been a trnn friend, and Mr Stewart had influenced him for good more than any other person. It wris indeed a pleasure to him to return to Ashburton, and to mark tho great progress tho Ashburton High School has mude. He knew of no other school with a higher reputation for discipline ' and thorough scholastio teaching Chan the Asiiburtoir High School, and he wished it continued sue-,

cess. Ho tlion a f>v kindly remarks to the present pupils, and resumed his scat amidst warm applause.