BOYS' INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 269, 7 August 1920, Page 7

BOYS' INSTITUTE

' REUNION OF "OLD BOYS." , A pTeasnnt function was held in the Astov Rooms on Thursday, the occasion being the first reunion of "old boys" of, the Wellington Boys' Institute. There, was a very large attendance, over which Mr. G. A. Troup presided. ' ' ' Mr. Troup congratulated the "old boys" on the big muster, and.said he thought' the function augured well for future gatherings of the kind. They heartily welcomed back those "old boys" who had fought in the Great War: There was no greater service that men could perform than to pass on kindnesses that had heen rendered to them when they were hoys. In this connection he appealed to all "old boys" of the institute to maintain their interest in it so as to make its work even more successful than at the present time, He hoped it would no; be long before they saw' a number of the "old boys" sitting on the central committee. (Applause!) ; The.,.toast of .the "Old Boys' Association"'was proposed by Mr. C. Bary, who said he was pleased to see so many "old boys" present. ■. Some five hundred or six hundred "old boys" of his school (Mount Cook) had taken part in the lato war. and of thoso eighty-mno had laid down their lives, eighty were wounded, and between twenty and thirty were decorated for gallantry. Those boys had all shown a spirit of determination and' grit, and he did not know that any of them'had been compelled to go to fight. (Applause.) , The boys they had turned out. such as those round the table, were boys of the right stamp, and he felt, sure that many of them would holp with:the work of the institute. He was proud that an Old Boys' Association had been formed in connection with the institute, and he. would ho pleased to associate his name wi'.h the association. . He urged those who joined the association to "piny tho (fame" in order that they might be a Dattern to the younger boys, who must bo kept off the streets. If they had decent and healthy surroundings - the boys would grow lip to bo men who would be a credit to the community. (Applause.) . : In' replv, Mr. J. D. Hewitt said he. hoped tho association would..grow in strength. It-'was "up to" tho "old bovs" to assist in obtaining new members. Mr. C. K. Dick outlined a scheme for tho comnilation of a roll of honour of thoso "old boys" who'had fought in the war. It was proposed to erect the roll of honour in '.he institute and to. furnish u dormitory of ten rooms. The whole schein.i would involve an outlay of about .£IOO. and lie appealed to all "old boys" to subscribe towards the fund in order to ensure success. Mr. F. Boss, late director, stated that the work of the institute could never have been carried on but for the voluntary assistance of the "old bovs." Ho asked them all to "stick by" tho old institute, for there was much for them (J1 to do iii the future. In regard, to the roll of honour, it was particularly desired that the old boys, should raise the funds. Tho dormitory of ten room* in the boarding establishment would <;erve to perpetuate the memory of those who had fallen in tho war. In response to a request by Mr. Boss,a number of thoso present signified their willingness to canvass for subscriptions amongst "old bojys" of the institute in aid of the roll of honour and tho equipment of the dormitory. The lonst of "Departed Old Boys" was proposed by Mr. G. E. Brown. Mr. W. Pointon proposed "The Institute," and replv was inndc by the dirertor. Mr. J. AV. Butler, who said tho "old boys" could be of very great asfiis'anco to the institute, which Mr, Justice Cooper had declared to be a great civilising agency. The institute was out to keep the' boys nlf the street, and tho work that was being done in that direction could never bo estimated. Mr. J. Hislop, vicc-preaidcnt. of the institute, referred to the work earnea out in the early days. They had had a smau beginning, Trot to-day they were a power 'in the city. The Board of Management was proud of the work that, was being done to mako the life of the citv better. During, the evening songs «erc contributed by Messrs. Filton, West, !'• Ross, and G. Beale.