ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18096, 11 June 1924, Page 7

ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL.

UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL. AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. Yesterday the cerernony of opening the Ashburton High School Memorial Library, a tribute from the past and present pupils and teachers to those who served in the War of 1914-18, together with that of unveiling the memorial tablets, was performed by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Minister of Internal Affairs.

The service was conducted by the Rev. J. F. Wiseman, C.F., of Ashburton, and the Rev. S. J. Werren, C-F., of Christchurch, an old boy of the Ashburton High School. The Ist Canterbury Mounted Rifles Band, under the conductorship of Lieut W. H. Osborne, was also present, and led with the hymns. Amongst those present were the chairman of the" High School Board of Governors (Mr Chas. Reid), and members, the Mayor and Mayoress r and Mrs R. Galbraith), representatives of the Borough and County Councils, Colonel R. Young, O.C. Southern Command, Colonel J. Findlay, presi dent of the local branch of the R.&.A. and a large attendance of old pupus, their relatives and friends. After the Roll of Honour had been read by the rector, Mr W. F. otters two minutes' silence was observed an Bugler G. Whiting of the Band sountfed the "Last Post" and the ReMr Chas. Reid, chairman of the High School Board of Governors,' read apologies from the Hon. Sir R. He at on Rhodes, Hon. W. Nosworthy, and numbers of others. Tlio speaker l was a great honour to have the Hon. Downie Stewart there on such a memorable occasion. He referred to the fine stamp of the soldiers, who had leit Ashburton to do their duty. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart said that it was a great privilege to be present on that day to assist in the opening ceremony. It was not necessary for him to trace the events of the war, and the part the New Zealanders had taken in it. As time went on we had a clearer view of the great task which had been set the British Empire to retain the liberty we hnd inherited from our forefathers. Ashburton citizens were reputed for their generosity to their soldiers and the present memorial was -a fine one indeed. He went on to say that Great Britain had put up a wonderful record during the Great War, and our citizens of the great Empire were now held up by friendly nations and envious enemies as an example of resolute citizenship. We had attempted and accomplished and bad upheld the honour and glory of the great Empire. We had learned numerous lessons from the Great War and one was to help our weaker brothers and when they became strong to let them go on their own. That was the great secret which England had found out—the secret of governing men. The war had brought our young Dominion great responsibilities and we still had to consider ample protection so we could kefep that great liberty. The speaker said that it was most appropriate that a library should have been built as a memorial. He hoped that' the present pupils of the school would recognise th© (value of the library from all points of view.

jVIr L. 11. Clarke, president of {lie Old Pupils' Association spoko in the unavoidable absence of lilr J. H. Christian, and sa!u that .jt was a great pleasure for old .pupils to bo present that ; day to pay their tributes to their fallen' comrades." Three masters of the old school had joined hands with the old boys to lay down their lives for the common cause of humanity. He referred to the wonderful spirit and bravery of the mothers who had let the* cream of the young manhood leave these shores in defence of their country. The rector (Mr W. F. Watters} saicf that he had known a large number of the boys who had gone to the ■war. Of the ,51 who had paid the. supreme in his time. Ho wanted the present boys to look on the soldiers who hart gone away as their elder brothers and to follow theii- example. To-day those fine fellows who had gone away werehonoured. Of those who had returned some had paid tho price of honour and duty. Colonel Young and Colonel Findlay also gave short addresses The ceremony of opening the door of the library and the unveiling of the tablets was then carried out by the Hen. Downie Stewart, and tea was served by the girls of the school.

The Memorial. The memorial library is an imposing building in rod brick and white stone. The building scheme is, broadly speaking, high walls of brick marked out in brick, symmetrical and well - proportioned corner pieces and <t protruding, entrante of brick, plain and ornamental. Inside the porch thus formed are two hugfv columns in white stone, which support above them smooth whit© stone work, on which are inscribed the words • "Memorial LibraiV, 1924." Bound the three sides of the building projecting stonework in whit© adds the touch which give? symmetry and grace to the whole. A marble memorial tablet inches by 16 inches, in tho southern, wall of the entrance, upon which is inscribed in letters of gold "Memorial Library, erected by the pupils and staff in honour of old boys and nurses, and masters, numbering over 240 wlvo served in the war, I§l4 to 1918." On either side for several feet up from the floor are the cases, with sliding doors, which will hold the lite nary treasure®, and .above them are hung photographs of many of those who served in the ■Great War. Conspicuous among these hangings are a> painting of the historic landing at Sedcl-el-Buhr. Gallipoli, on April 25tli {Anzac Day), and a potejiant scene from a Flanders battlefield. The architect for the building was Mr E. M. Gaibites, and the contractors 'Messrs James bimith and Sons. Mr F. G. Guernsey, of Christchureh, executed the work of carving the Roll of Honour.

Roll of Honour. The following are the names on the- ' Roll of Honour: —Thomas Henry Alexander, Connell Allen, John McPeake Bell, Stanley Berrynmn, Herbert ES3\tard Breach. Leslie Johnson' Buchanan, Alfred Thomas Burnard, George Hendry Campbell, Herbert Capon, John Stanley Church, Arthur William. Claridge, Occil Collins, Aithur L. Cooper, Gordon Craighead, Frank Cul~ verhouse, Charles de Cliair Denshire, Wilfred Ellis Dove, George K. Duff, Joseph Allan Elliott, Hugh Murray Graham, Leonard John "Greenslade, j "Samuel John Gudsell, Thomas Vernon j Hampton, William Roland Eiroll Hood, I Leslie John Kelly, David Mans on, I George C. Mayne, Jaok Reginald Miljiar, William Baxter Morrison, Stewnrt Gordon McCallum, Alexander Peter I Mcßae, Donald "Alexander Mel toe, I John Leo O'Cao-roll, Williajn George I Patching, Leonard Murray Percy, George Pitt, John Trask Porter, Leonard John Rountreo, Walter George ! Sage Edwin Hugh Senior, Eric George 'Smith, George A. Smith, George William Hay Smith, Herbert Wiremu Steel, David "William Strange, Robert Morris Terriss, Rupoi-t Jennings Thomas, Robert John Tremain, Francis Clive Upton, John Warren Hight Watson, William Goorge Woods.