MARIST REUNION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 128, 27 November 1923, Page 10

MARIST REUNION

LARGE GATHERING OF OLD BOYS.

Lear after year the Marist Brothers' Uld tfoys Association increases in membership, and the large hall in the Dominion Farmers' Institute was taxed on j Saturday night, when the annual reunion j took place. In proposing the toast of the "Pope and the King," Mr. L. Sievers (chairman) said the annual reunion was an important event. The Rev. Brothers were to leave shortly on their holiday, and, as they might be transferred elsewhere next year,, the occasion was also one for saying farewell. Later he presented Rev. Bro. Justin (headmaster of brothers School, Thorndon), with a substantial cheque. In proposing the toast of "Alma n .f' M£ J" A- Scott said the Marist Mothers School had many traditions Certainly it was historic; it marked the beginning of Catholic education in Wellington. The school for old boys was pregnant with many memories. It recalled to them their old teachers, in whose charge was the shaping of their dcs- • tiny—the Rev. Bro. Mark and many others Each old boy singled out the particular period when he was at school, and looked upon that time as the most •brilliant of the school's history In responding to the toast,' Brother Justin said he was greatly pleased to have the opportunity of meeting old' boys once'again. A school was judged not altogether by its present pupils On the old boys rested the reputation of the school.. Mr. Scott had mentioned ;tnat each pupil looked back to the time when he was at school as being the time when the school's achievements' were greatest That was only natural. But if the old boys of thirty or forty years ago wished to know something it gave him pleasure to state that the present scholars were living up to traditions. Certainly they were a credit . They must feel proud of. their success .in the field of sport. To. prove to the old boys that the old traditions were being upheld-he mentioned some of the successes attained in the athletic field. Itgave him also much pleasure to announce that at the beginning of the year a preparatory school for the training of brothers to take up the work of teaching had been opened at Auckland. There were eleven boys at present undergoing a course of study there. It was a credit to Wellington that out of that eleven, four were from this city. In a week's time one of the brothers would be celebrating his golden jubilee, that is, he had been for a period of fifty years a brother. He was very old now; already he had passed the allotted span—three score years and ten,, Mr. M. O'Kane, in proposing "Catholic Education," said that the education board had already in hand the £10 000 which they had been striving for This was indeed something to be proud of for it would enable them to do a great deal.—Mr. J. J. Burke responded to the toast. "M.8.0.8. Sports Branches" was proposed by Mr. M. Walsh, who went over the successes attained by the various teams. In regard to Rugby, wherein success was not so marked, the necessity • <; ate™g for al] grades was emphasised. They could not allow the younger players to go to other clubs. The toast wa3 responded to by Messrs J Troy (Rugby), W. Hannafin (Soccer), and J. Haydon (cricket). During the evening reference was made to Mr. W. Thomas, who was picked as an AH Black to tour Australia with the Association team that returned with tho "Ashes" last season, and who filled his place in that team with distinction. What success the Marist senior team had attained he had assisted very ■ materially. Following is a.list of medals presented during the evening: Senior (most im- § roved .player), F.. Gamble; junior, F. urton. Junior, Master V Daniell. Third grade (best player), M. Gardiner; : (most consistent), W. Cudby. Gym. attendance and most improved player', A. Scanlon. Fourth grade (best player), J. Taylor; (most improved), M. Quill Fourth (best player), R. Laffan; most consistent player), J. Fitzgerald. Fourth B (most improved), J. Devona. Fifth (best forward), W. Condon, (best back) L. Reid. Regular attendance to gym. and attendance to practice, T. Mahoney. Musical items were given by Mr A. J. Fogarty, Mr. J. Fouhy, Mr. C. Hickmott, Jlr. J. Quinn, and Mr. N. Aitken (recitation). Mr. J. F. Skedden was the accompanist.