LOYAL OLD BOYS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 121, 25 May 1933, Page 9

LOYAL OLD BOYS

WELLINGTON COLLEGE

ASSOCIATION'S AFFAIRS

SCHOOL'S FACILITIES

By holding the annual meeting of tho j Wellington College Old Boys' Association last evening at tho college instead of in town, as in former ycars,>,old boys ■\vho attended were brought in closer contact with tho school and the scenes of their schooldays. There was an attendance- of "sonic forty members, presided over by Mr. E. St. J. Beere. After tho meeting, supper was served in tho kitchenette recently fitted up in the main school, and old boys had an opportunity of inspecting many of the fine features in this modern building. Apologies for absence were received from Professor Kirk (one of tho original members of the association), Messrs. J. Prendeville, C. Hester, and others. The report and balance-sheet, a summary of which has appeared in "Tho Post," were adopted. ■ IN RETROSPECT. Reviewing'the past year's activities, Mr. Beere expressed pleasure at the attendance of tho principal of the college (Mr. W. A. Armour) and at least two of the original members of the association, Mr. A. E. Meek and Mr. M. C. Barnett. The chief events during the year were the unveiling of the tablet to tho late Mi1. J". 11.I1. Firth and the memorial to the hitc Mr. Walter Bethune. Through wet weather, Old Boys' Day could not l»e held on Labour Day, and it had to be postponed until November 30... An innovation was a ; cricket match between representatives of the association and St. Patrick's- Collcgo old boys, and a thoroughly enjoyable gamo bad been the result. The- financial position of the association was quite sound.. . ... Reference was made by Mr. Beere to the death'of Mr. ,\V. L. Meek,' one of the oldest members'of tho association and a past president. As a mark of respect, the meeting, stood in silence for c few'seconds. . ■ Mr. A. R. Meek, who. seconded tho adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, said lie thought" the committee had' done very good work iuficed.' !,\ ... ,: "■'-■" PRINCIPAL'S REVIEW. Mr. Armour complimented those responsible for tho''compilation of the report and financial statement. Although Qld Boys' Day had had to be postponed, lie thought all would agree that the afternoon function held at the end of Xovembcr was a great success. One of the fine things the association had done for the. school was the provision of the kitchenette in tho main school. Mr. Armour gave a summary.of the improvements to the grounds and of other constructional and beautiflcation work it was hoped to have completed before long.■'•'' He mentioned, incidentally, that apart, from any money contributed by the Board of Governors, £3000 had been spent on ground improvements in tho,' last five years. The new top gfouud was well on the way to completion, and he hoped there would be an official opening. He had in mind for ■Hie occasion a match between the senior fifteen, mil;, some of the stalwarts of t.lio association, and he hoped "that Mr. '.'Jimmy" Muirhcad, -who was retiring from the position of groundsman after 25 j eai s' sei rice would kick off for the old boy<s. Tonfhinjj on school affairs, Mr. Armour said that the staff had ...fulfilled its pait well. He made feeling reference to the serious illness of Mr. Alexander, a master at the- school for twenty-four years, who, he.said, was a most able scholar possessed of high ideals and sound-judgment. There had been several staff changes, one of which wns-the departure of Mr, Stevens, an bid boy, who had taken, over the head■mastership of Wellesley College. Mr.' •Brodie, who was so well known to all old' boys, '.vas still going as strongly as ever,'and he thought he could carry on for "the next fifty years if he wero i nllowed to .do so. (Laughter.) The , proposal to" .start an old' boys' tennis U club ho thought an excellent idea, as ': it would tend to bring moreold boys to the school. He hoped-the matter would be kejit steadily in view. Mr. Armour ' reviewed sporting activities during tho year, and thanked the Old Boys' Association for its assistance in many directions. Old boys could rest assured : that the.staff would do everything possible to maintain tho high standard the school had always enjoyed. LOYALTY OP STAFF. ; Councillor Len. McKenzie expressed appreciation of the loyalty of the staff to the school, the headmaster, and the Old Boys' Association. On behalf of the Old Boys' Football Club and /the other old boys' clubs, he thanked 'Mr, Armour for the facilities granted for training and practice. Mr. W. 11. Denton also spoke in ]iraise of the liberal treatment accorded the old boys' clubs by Mr. Armour. Congratulations were extended by Mr. B. 0. Binnie to the college first eleven and its coach (Mr. F. Joplin) in •■■winning-the junior A cricket championship, and the master's eleven in winning l>he junior B(l) competition. He said it. ;' was a long while since the college won -the first two grade championships for which it had entered. ; Mr. M. C. Barnett dwelt upon the advantages conferred upon tho old boys' clubs in- having tho use of the facilities provided by the college. His yicw was that old boys did not rally round, the association as well as they should. The membership of tho association was a little over 1000,. and it .ought io be 10,000. The association wanted tho absolute support of every ■ .'old boy. .''.'. ■ ■ ■ ■ Mr. R. Darroch endorsed the sentiments expressed by Councillor McKenzie and Mr. Barnett. .It was decided to send a letter to Mrs. Alexander, expressing the association's sympathy /with her and her family in the illness of Mr. Alexander, and the hope that he would soon be're- . stored to health. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. ' The following officers were elected: — ■•President, Mr. E. St. J. Beero; hon. auditor, Mr. O. G. Kember, F.P.A. (N.Z.); hon. secretary, Mr. W. W. Cook; hon. treasurer, Mr. C. A. Innes; assistant hon. secretary, Mr. B. O. Binnio; committee, Dr. J. S. Elliott, Messrs. A. W. Duncan; E. T. Hogg, H. Desborough, F. Joplin, A. L. George, C. D. Mac Donald, C. D. A. George (college), C. W. McColl (football club), F. B. Browne (cricket club), M. C. Barnett, W. H. Denton, and A. R. Meek (war memorial). Consideration was given to the following motion put forward by Mr. W. " 11. Denton: —"That so far as £100, part of the reserve fund, is concerned, the same shall not be expended for any purpose whatever, except with the approval of a general meeting of the,assbciation, at which at least fifty members shall vote in' favour of the propofal." ' The motion was lost. Grants of £2 2s each were made to the school for shooting and mathematics prizes, and also a grant of &5 5s to the grounds fund.

Stockings and pocks which have shrunk until they arc too tight ate said to do more harm to children's feet than illfitting shoes, . .