RHODES SCHOLARS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 62, 6 December 1929, Page 13

RHODES SCHOLARS

NEW ZEALAND CHOICE AUCKLAND AND OTAGO STUDENTS The Rhodes Scholarship Committee of Selection yesterday chose P. C. Minns, of Auckland, and J. C. Dakin, of Otago, as the New Zealand Rhodes Scholars for 1929. His Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) presided, and there were present: The Chancellor of the New Zealand University (Professor J. Macmillan Brown), the Chief Justice (the Hon. M. Myers), Professor Segar (chairman of the Academic Board), Sir Andrew Russell, Mr. C. M. Gilray. and Professor Robertson. Mr. E. T. Norris (Dominion secretary) was also present. There were seven candidates, two from each of the four colleges, except Canterbury, which nominated one. The Successful Candidates. Born at Invercargill in 1908, James Campbell Dakin is a son of Mr. J. P. Dakin, 8.A., of London University, who has for several years been science master at the .Southland Boys’ High School. James Dakin was dux of the .South School, Invercargill, in 1921, and then attended the South Boys’ High School for four years, gaining a junior national scholarship in the first year and a senior national scholarship and his matriculation in 1924. He was dux of the school in 1925, arid the next year he was awarded a junior university scholarship, gaining the highest total marks in the Dominion. From 1927 up to the present time he has been attending Otago University, specialising in languages, and sitting for his B.A. degree this year. His favourite sports are tennis and fives, and his general interests include literary work in connection with the college magazines and association with the Arts Students’ Association, of which he is president, the Students’ Association, and the National Union of Students. Percy Croft Minns was born at Albany, Western Australia, in October, 1907, and came to New Zealand in 1915. After attending the Carterton District School for five years, he spent two years at the Northcote District School (Auckland), winning a junior national scholarship. He attended the Auckland Grammar School for five years, and matriculated in 1923. In 1925 he obtained a junior university scholarship, and then went to the Auckland University College, taking a course in languages in which he was very successful. He has a most creditable record of achievements in athletics and Rugby football. He was in the first fifteens of the Auckland Grammar School and the Auckland Training College, and represented Auckland province in 1927, 1928, and 1929. He also represented Auckland University College in 1928 and 1929. An injury prevented him from playing for New Zealand against New South Wales in 1928, but this year he gained his New Zealand University Rugby “blue,” and played for the North Island against the South. He was athletic champion of the Auckland Grammar School for two years, and champion of the Training College for a similar period. He also gained his Auckland University athletic “blue,” and captained the college team at this year’s tournament. Swimming and tennis are other sports in which he has done well, and he is keenly interested in debating, military work, and music.