HIGH TRADITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 6

HIGH TRADITIONS

HUTT HIGH SCHOOL

CANADA'S WAR EFFORT

"We are all loyal to -the British Crown and we think we have .a- big part to play in this struggle. We are definitely, with all our forces, behind Britain in her great struggle for freedom, and as fast as we can we are turning out ships, aeroplanes, tanks, and guns," said Dr. W. A. • Riddell, High Commissioner for Canada, speaking at the closing ceremony of the Hutt Valley High School. Dr.? Riddell said he desired to pay a great tribute to New Zealand's war effort—more particularly the schools' contribution to the overthrow of Hitler. "We owe," he said, "a profound debt to those who have made the supreme sacrifice on our behalf." ' Dr. Riddell sketched the history of Canada from the days of the French occupation and showed how the country had become welded into a. whole, loyal to the British Crown, though less than half its people were of British origin. • . .' Canada's connection with New; Zealand came through the discoveries made by Captain Cook' in both countries. It was not generally realised, he said, that Canada was a country as large as Britain, Australia,- and New Zealand combined. Canada had | close associations with the r U.S.A., I from whom she had borrowed the federal form of government. Speaking to pupils who were leaving,. Dr. Riddel^, said the ;through life. ;w&s'! by honest hard work. .';> . ; The Hon. W. Nash thanked Canada for sending Dr. Riddell to New Zealand. It gave New Zealand a link also with the U.S.A;-and with' France, which had originally oolbnised Canada. He was. of the opinion that we. had not yet' lost France,' though .: efforts were'being made to embitter relations. De Gaulle would yet be known as a man who saved the .democracy . of France. Mr. D. A. Ewen, chairman of the ' Board of Governors, announced that Mr. J. G. McNaught, of the school staff, had been promoted Lieutenant-Colonel i and a cable had been•• received -from I Mr. Mason from overseas expressing his good wishes for the school. ' . : : A MOULDING INFJLUENCE. '-':] ! The Hutt Valley High School had, iin its fifteen years' history; helped as i a moulding influence in the community ! and had built up a tradition he hoped i the pupils would sustain. He, thanked the principal and staff for their-work and the Parents' Association for great assistance, the last being a gift:.of £250 for a kitchen. Mr. J. N. Mallard, principal, in- his report outlined the wide activities' of the school and the difficulties "through loss of staff because of war service. Under the conductorship of Mt. R. G. Dalglish, the pupils sang several ; items, and under the baton of. Mr. .T. i Gray the band played selections. Among those present were Dr.' and Mrs. W. A. Riddell, the Hon. W.and Mrs. Nash, Mr- and Mrs. J. W-- Andrews, Mr. A. F. McMurtrie, Assistant Director of Education,' and members of the Board of Governors. The awards presented included: Old pupils' scholarship, Margaret Orx; Mason scholarship, S. M. Jaeger; dux, Marion Marwick; Hobbs bat, j; Liver; Salvia Cup, D. O. Turner; House Shield, Rishworth; prefects' awards, Nancy Butt, Kathleen Henry, Marion Marwick, Margaret Orr, Marie Schmidt, A. L. Andrews, J. K. Cole, J. R. Cooper, B. H. Potter, D. O. Turner. •