ISLANDERS AT ST. ANDREW’S

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26605, 15 December 1951, Page 8

ISLANDERS AT ST. ANDREW’S

APPRECIATION OF N.Z. FRIENDSHIPS

Five boys from the islands of the Pacific left St. Andrew’s College yesterday. “Leaving school is just as hard for island boys as being away from home,” they said. “During our Stay at St. Andrew's College we sensed the friendliness and the kindness of the people of New Zealand. In the school itself we mingled with good friendly boys, and wherever we went we always found New Zealanders interesting and enjoying our company." Together they had composed a joint letter of appreciation. “When we look back to the precious moments we have spent with New Zealand boys on the playing field, in the classroom, and tn the dormitories for five years, -it is something that cannot be forgotten. This great experience in New Zealand means a very great deal in our lives. “To the staff of St. Andrew’s College we owe our sincere and heartiest thanks. We thank the rector (Mr L- W. Stewart) and Mrs Stewart for being such good parents to us and for helping and guiding us in all possible ways. In the teaching department we wish to thank Mr A. G. Gillies for his keen interest in us and his great endeavour tp teach us chemistry. In history we found a beloved tutor in Mrs Antoinette Pocoek. Our successes iir Engish are due almost entirely to our English masters, Mr Henry Dowling, Mr Bennett, and Mr Hurst Dowling. To them also we express our very great thanks for their fine work and their willingness to help us at all times, In geography and book-keeping we have learnt a great deal from Mr Sr>ith, Mr Roberts, and Mr Col jins. AU our best wishes and thanks to all our teachers for their generosity and kindness to us all during our life at St Andrew’s College. “Now, on leaving this beautiful land of gentlemen, we wish all our friends m New Zealandvthe season’s greetings, and may God forever defend New Zealand and its people.” The boys have done well at St. Andrew’s College. Three were house prefects and two school prefects, Five were in the first fifteen and three in the first eleven. AU. came to the college on scholarships offered to islanders by the Government or by private firms. Their plans are varied. P. M. Sua-Filo will return to Western Samoa for the holidays and then study law at Auckland University College. G. A. Schuster will spend his holidays in North Canterbury and then study medicine at the University of Otago. E. H. Naisali will return to the Ellice Islands to enter the Treasury Department, and K. Tofinga will take up teaching in the Ellice Islands. T. Lauti will go to Invercargill for the holidays and then enter the Christchurch Teachers’ Training College. H. D. Phineas, F. Talasasa, and F. Tavai will return to St. Andrew’s College.