HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17807, 5 July 1923, Page 13

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS.

ANNUAL SOCIAL. The annual social gathering of old l,ovs of the CKristchurch Boys' High gchtwl was held in tho Art Gallery last jjlaht. An attendance of about one hundred and fifty was presided over by 3lr H. H. Hanna. In Lis opening remarks the chairman eaid he had received an apology from tho old headmaster of tho.school, Mr C. E. Bovan-Brown, who wished the old boys to know he was with them in epirit. Mr Hanna propos:d the toast of "The Old School," and related some reminiscences of his own school days. Tho present headmaster, Mr G. Lancaster, referred to tho School v. Collets match, and called for three cheers for the '.'chivalrous losers." After tho cheers had been given, Mr Lancaster stated that 180 old boys ■jrent through the school every year, and it behoved them to pull together. At present the school had probably one of the best staffa in New Zealand. (Applause.) The buildings had proved to be inadequate, and he was glad that the area at Riccarton had been acquired. The iiw school should be worthy of tho old boys. The test cf a school was not in the winning of a. football match, nor in the- getting of scholarships, but in the turning out of a, proper crop of old boys. The attendance testified that enthusiasm for tho school was not dead, and he hoped it would increase with tho years. The school would take itg traditions, to Riccarton with it, and hare the good wishes of all tho okf boys. The "old Head" was still with the echool in spirit, and hia work was % enshrined in the motto "Altiora peto.'" (Applause.) "The Board of Governors" was proposed by Mr W. R. Lascelles, who eaid that the Board, which also controlled Canterbury College and the Girls' High School, set a standard of learning and of life: in Christchurch. It developed education and enw that every penny of the funds was administered wisely and well. It called for the most capable men, and at present it possessed the talept* that it required, and was living up to the best traditions of the past and laying good foundations for the future. . .

Mr C. T. Aschman replied to the toast, in the absence of the chairman ©f the Board, Mr H. D. Acland. After complimenting the school football team on a deserved win, ho went on to speak of the men whose deep insight was responsible for the- school endowments. Ho thought that eome tangible monument should be erected to those pioneers. At any rato, all the old boys should feel a deep respect for the men of the past, and they should be ready, if necessary, to help the Board defend the endowments from "envious ©yea." The contract hnd been let for the new eohool, and he believed that the building would be ready for the opening of fichaol in. 1925. Even then, tender memories of the old building in Worcester street would be retained by many old boys. Mr W. J. Craoroft-Wilson proposed the toast of "The Guests," and coupled with it the names of representatives of «ther schools present. Mr J. 6. L. Vernon (Christ's College) congratulated the school football team on the day's win. Ho stated that the old boya of the two schools should pull together in everyday life. "We should have no fears foi v the future of football in Canterbury after seeing to-day's match," he concluded. Mr A. J. Learmonth (Waitaki Boys' High School and Canterbury College), In a brief speech said that the Students' Association wished that, when the present eohool was taken over by CantorCollege, the gymnasium should remain unaltered, as it was an old boys' memorial. (Applause.) Mr G. T. Burrows replied on behalf of St. Andrew's College. "This reunion is a momentous one," faid Mr J. R. Cuninghain, in proposing tho toast of "The Professions,' f "for ♦he aew school is largely due to tho efforts of the Old Boys' Association, sacked by an energetic Board of Governors." The new building would be the finest south of the lme. (Adjlauso.) Mr Cuningham said that some Or tho professions were becoming overcrowded, and many old boys found that they were misfits in the walk of life they had taken up. Something should ba don© by the Association, h© thought, to put a boy who had just left school on the right path. ,-.Tiw toast was replied to by Dr. C. TXiHarid-Jfewton (medical), Mr T. Milliken (legal), and Mr R. L. Hicks (commercial). Mr T. W. Reese mad© an appeal to members to support the club social rooms.

• The final tonst was that of the three old masters. Messrs C. E. Bsvan B.J. S. Lawrence, and W. W. Walton. .The gathering broke up after the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." Musical items were given during the ejoning by Messrs T. Charters, S. Thomas, and H. M. Taylor. '