FOOTBALL CLUB’S JUBILEE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26477, 19 July 1951, Page 3

FOOTBALL CLUB’S JUBILEE

high school old BOYS’ REUNION value of tradition The last of the functions to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the High School Old Boys’ Foothaii piub was held last evening, when there was an attendance of mure than 500 at the Wentworth for the jubilee reunion. Many former All Blacks and canterbury representatives were present. Among the guests were repre- . .entatives or other clubs and omer oiu boys orgamsa.ions. -We in this aay ana age have been geeiuy criticised by observers for an ever-developed cynicism, which some'tinies oecornes an almost patnological aeJre to debunx estabasned institusaia , Z - Crittenden, president of the Old Boys Association. in proposing the toast to the sciiooL ’One particular target has been the ’oid senool tie.’ No one desires the perpetuation of maudlin sendmentaliom. but in this changing w oria mere is more need than ever for traditions as stabilising influences It is our belief that some of the best O f these traditions come from the country’s secondary scnools. it should be our duty and concern to see that, as far as possiole, these traditions are maintained.” lhere was a second failing, what might be called inverted socialism, the tendency towards Aakmg rather than giving. Mr Brittenden said. The modern democratic New Zealander was not always appreciative of privilege; he was much stronger on rights “But w e should not forget that it has been a privilege, as well as a right to attend the Christchurch Boys High School, and we should resolve to give to, as well as take from, a school which has done much for us individually and also for the community as a whole.” Replying to the toast, the headmaster (Mr J. Leggat) referred to the close relationship of the school with Christ’s College. The first assistant at the school, and the coach of the first fifteen which had beaten Christ’s College that (jay, were both former college pupils, and the college had on its staff two of the school's former senior monitors. Mr Leggat congratulated the club on having so many members of the ichool staff on the toast list, for the staff was the continuing link between the school and its old boys. He congratulated the club on its jubilee, and expressed the best wishes and thanks of the school for the help old boys had given it. Some of the early history of the club was traced by Mr W. M. Stewart, who proposed the toast to the club. He made particular reference to R. G. Deans, a 1905 All Black. “He stood for all that is sound and sweet and good in manhood.” Mr Stewart said. Probably no man in the history of the dub had had a greater effect on its character.

Club’s War Record The club had produced 15 All Blacks, 20 South Island, and 80 Canterbury representatives, said Mr Stewart, and there were many other All Blacks who were former pupils of the school. In the First World War. 46 members of the club had been killed on active service. At the annual meeting in 1915, it was reported that half the senior team was overseas, and a year later half the 320 old boys overseas were members of the club. In the Second World War 60 members of the club were killed, and at one annual meeting not one active player was present —they were all. overseas.

Replying, Mr P. B. Vincent, deputy dub captain, said the club had always tried to play bright and open football. “Some say others are bright, and we are open.” he said. “But we are trying. and that is carrying on something that was there when the club started, and will be there for all time.” Proposing a toast to the Canterbury Rugby Union, Mr I. H. Skipworth said that at no stage had the union tried to streamline a few good players capable of winning the Ranfurly Shield. It had paid attention to all footballers. The Ranfurly Shield would be won in due time, but success would be based on sound club football. He would ask the union to remember three thingsthat secondary schools were the nursery of Rugby, and that other games were now drawing players; that Rugby was played by thousands who never appeared at Lancaster Park, but played only for enjoyment; and to have confidence in youth. In spite of assertions to the contrary, the youth of today could run faster, put the shot further, and jump higher than his predecessors, and it might well be that he could play Rugby as well as his father did. The president of the union (Mr R. R. Masters) said that over the years the Old Boys club had played a particularly big part in the game. The type of game for which the club had always been renowned was the type the union wanted all clubs to follow. The club had a fine playing record, and its representatives on the union had been good men. The dub had provided many players of note, keen coaches, and provincial selectors. Thia year both the provincial selectors were old boys, the first time the two had come from one club.

Mr A. I. Cottrell, replying to a toast to sister clubs, said the Old Boys club had done much to maintain the finest traditions of Rugby.