ST. ANDREW'S COLLEGE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18150, 13 August 1924, Page 7

ST. ANDREW'S COLLEGE.

RED-LETTER DAY. GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S VISIT

Yesterday was a red letter day in the lives of the pupils of St. Andrew's College, for they received a visit from his Excellency the Governor-General, who also gave them a brief address. His Excellency, who arrived by motor, was preceded by the College Pipe Band to the main door of the College, outside which a guard of honour was drawn up. His Excellency was met by Mr W. Goss, representing the Board of Governors, and Mr A. K. Anderson, headmaster. After an inspection of the guard his Excellency addressed the pupils in the assembly hall.

Mr W. Goss, in welcoming Lord Jellicoe, expressed regret that the chairman of the Board of Governors, the Rev. Dr. Erwin, was unable to be present. In the past, he said, New Zealand had been fortunate in its Governors, who had all been spiendid types of the British race. Those who could remember would know what fine men they had been. But there was not a finer man among the lot of them than the 0110 who was present. Lord Jellicoe had carried on the finest traditions of the race. He had stood as a barrier to what might have been destruction. The boys would be pleased to know that the Governors of New Zealand had all been good sports, Lord Jellicoe being a keen cricketer. They knew that Lord Jellicoe was representative of the King. At the head of the nation was one of the finest figures in the world to-day— King George V. Then there was the Prince of Wales, who was undoubtedly the most popular man in the world. The boys should be proud of their nation, and they could best show their pride by loyalty to the Empire. . He again : welcomed his Excellency. (Applause.) The headmaster (Mr A. K. Anderson) said that the College was honoured by the presence of Lord Jellicoe. Tho Governor-General had been one of the world figures of the Great War, and he was rightly entitled to be called one of the victors. Not only on account of the fact that Lord Jellicoe was an illustrious sailor did they welcome him. but also as the King's representative. It was Lord Jellicoe's first visit to the College, and in welcoming him they were also farewelling him. Lord Jellicoe had endeared himself to every boy in the land, both as a sport and as a fine type of British gentleman. (Applause.) ' ■ . Three hearty cheers were given as his Excellency rose to speak. "I must congratulate Mr Goss upon the extreme restraint of his remarks," said Lord Jellicoe. "When I came in behind the pipe band I anticipated hearing something Scotch, but the whole of Mr Goss's remarks were concerning the British. It's a wonder to me ''.'he left out the word Scotch, so I'm going to put it in. (Applause.) First, be cause I am a great admirer of the Scotch, although . I am riot a Scotsman myself; perhaps that is the reason. The second reason why. I am going to put it in is because of the name of the College." His Excellency went on to say that it was" a great pleasure to come and see the boys of the College. Some of the happiest times he had spent-in New Zealand had been with the boys of the Dominion. However fine the men of the Dominion were, the boys were going to be finer, when they are grown up. When one saw the rising generation as far as physique was concerned they would be .as fine as the men of to-day "I think their headpieces will be good, too," his Excellency added. He went on to say that he knew he was expected to give advice, and he knew that advice was .what'..boys hated, although they did not hate it as much as he hated to give it to them. There was no occasion, he proceeded, for him to enjoin New Zealanders to remain loyal, for one of the characteristics of New Zealanders was their loyalty. Perhaps the best advice ho could, give to them was to do their duty on all occasions and under all circumstances. "Remember," he added, "when you 'go West,' if you have the satisfaction of knowing that you did what you. concluded to be your duty, you will 'go West 1 a happy man." He said that the great men of the British Empire had all been conspicuous for the trait in their characters of doing their duty. As an example, he quoted Nelson's last words: "Thank God T have done my duty." Although the school had only been in existence seven years, it already had some very fine records. *He hoped that the traditions which had been started would be carried on, not only by themselves, but by those who came after. It was tradition which made a school, the place in which they learnt character, and character came from tradition. It, lay with the.boys to build up traditions and for the boys to live up to those traditions. "In conclusion," said his Excellency, "I wish you the best luck in the future, and hope that you will carry on in this Dominion as your fathers have done before you. Keep it loyal, and if the call ever comes, as it did to your fathers, I am Certain that you will do your duty. (Applause.) , , ~ One of the prefects then thanked his Excellency for his visit, the proceedings terminating with cheers and the school haka. . Before he took his departure his Excellency inspected the school grounds, and had morning tea with the staff.