NELSON OLD BOYS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 24, 23 October 1907, Page 10

NELSON OLD BOYS.

ANNUAL REUNION.

. Old Nelsoninns foregathered last nignt in tho Masonic Hall, and revived tho memories of tho past. Judging by tho references of the various speakers, it has boon a glorious past. Tho "old .school" has launched upon tho sea of life men who have afterwards achieved distinction in various spheres of effort. It was somewhat unfortunate thnfc the College's anniversary happened to clash with an unusual number of functions which were being held in the city,'and this had a thinning effect upon what would otherwiso havo been an excellent muster. Mr. T. It. Fleming, M.A.,LL.8., Chief Inspector of Schools in the Wellington Education District, and an' old A'elsonian, presided. Among other "Old Boys" who wcro present might also bo mentioned. Mr. J. P. Firth, Principal of tho Wellington College; Mr.. J. W., Joynt, Registrar of" tho New Zealand University, an ex-master of Nelson College) ; Mr. J. W.' Barltrop, of the New Zealand Government Life Insuranco Department, and Dr. Gibbs. ;

Tho loyal toast having boon honoured, the chairman proposed tho toast of "Nelson College." In the course of an interesting re>siime of the salient features in its past history ho said that the College had materially helped to establish the foundation of secondary education in Now Zealand. There was a flavour of Oxford and Cambridge about the institution which was due largely to its earlier traditions. Its former masters had come- from Oxford and Cambridgo and had created something of' the atmosphere of those classical universities. He then referred to the roll of past masters and pupils of tho College, the mention of Professor Rutherford evoking a burst of applause. Above all those considerations which endowed an institution of tho kind with distinction, thero could bo none greater than the fact that it turned out tho highest typo of manhood, and Nelson College had done that. The toast was responded to by Mr. Burnett and Mr. F. B; Mabin. ' . Tho toast of "The Old Boys' Association" was then proposed by Mr. G.. W. Barltrop, who referred to the recent agitation by tho Nelson and Wollington College Old Boys' Associations for constitutional representation on the governing boards of those institutions. Ho was'very'glad to note that consideration of this important question had been promised by tho Minister for Education. Messrs. G. Fell and R. W. Shallcrass suitably responded. Replying to the toast of- "Tho Masters, Past and Present," proposed by Mr. W. B. Thomson, Mr. J. W. Joynt spoke very strongly in favour of the claims of Old Boys' Associations in the matter of representation on the Boards.- Ho remarked t.iat precedents could be pointed out. Tho ■Victoria College had graduate representatives on tho Council, and so had the Now Zealand University- Senate. Mr. J. P. Firth, who also responded to tlio toast of "The Masters," entertained tho company with somo amusing rominisconces of some boys whom he had known while a master, at Nelson College. .. As boy and master ho had been associated with the school for eight and a half years. Other to'aats were:—"The Nelsonian," proposed by Mr. Blundell, and responded to by Air. H. Skinner; "Kindred Associations " proposed by Mr. A. Fair, and responded to by Air. A. H. Casey (St. Patrick's College' Old Boys); and "The Governors," proposed ing. During tho evening songs wcro contributed by Messrs. P. Hockloy, F. B. V . Iloult, and responded to by Mr. F. Kcllby Mr. W. Iloult, and responded to by Mr Mabin, Lynch, P. Gully, and Easson. During tho evening songs wcro contributed by Messrs P. Uockloy, F B. Mabin, Lynch, P. Gully, and Easson.