THE FIRST RHODES SCHOLAR.

Evening Star, Issue 12261, 30 July 1904, Page 7

THE FIRST RHODES SCHOLAR.

A HANDSOME PRESENTATION

The presentation to Mr J. A. Thomson, B.Sc. (the first Rhodes scholar of New Zealand), which took place at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, marks an occasion of unique importance, in that, as Dr Benham said, it was the first occasion on which ? member of the Otago University had been presented, in the most public manual', with a testimonial from the citizens of Dunedin. Amongst those present were Crs Loudon ami Braithwaito, Br Salinond, Br Benham, Dr Hoc ken. Dr Marshall, Br \V. M. Macdonald, Dr Shand, the Revs. W. Uewitson, D. Borrie, A. Cameron, and R. R. M. Sutherland, Professor Gilfay, Messrs D. K. 'While, P. Barr, It. S. Allan, J. Reid, A. Wilson, C. It. Richardson, and G. M. Thomson. Apologies for absence were received from Mr John Roberts, C.M.G., Professor Hale, Messrs w. a Fitzgerald and Hallcnstein. His Worship the Mayor (Mr T. R. Christie) presided, and opened the proceedings by calling upon Dr Benham to speak. Dr Benham said that in the unavoidable, absence of Mr Justice Williams (the Chancellor of the University) and of the ViceChancellor, it fell to his lot as chairman ot the Professorial Board to represent the University on this occasion. Indeed, however, ho did not see why the University should be so prominently represented, since the testimonial was the outcome of a movement among the citizens, and he thought it would have been better if a recognised business man in the community had occupied his place. It was a pleasure to sec how great was the interest tho citizens took in tho University, ns evinced by their apprdationof its work, their willing assistance to its funds, and their petition to the House regard to the School of Mines. This occasion was unique, because Mr Thomson was tho first Rhodes scholar of Now Zealand. It was a matter for congratulation to Mr Thomson that the Commissioners of the Exhibition scholarship had presented him with a second scholarship, be having been bracketed equal with the Otago student who had won the scholarship. Thus Mr Thomson was both a Rhodes and an Exhibition scholar, though he would not be able to retain tire latter scholarship. Mr Thomson was going from one of the youngest universities of the Empire to tl'ie most ancient scat of learning in that Empire. He would find there the traditions of centuries, and it would be for him to show what a young New Zealander could do intelkctuaLy anti socially. They wished him God-speed, and trusted that when he returned in three years' time ho rrould bring back a reputation as a man of science.— (Applause.)

The Mayor said that it gave him much pleasure to preside in doing honor to one who had been such a credit to the City. It was, indeed, a matter far extreme gratification that a member of this community should possess the ability and general excellence of character requisite for the securing of the Rhodes scholarship. The result spoke for itself, and required no effort of his to emphasise the fact that Mr Thomson was indeed 'a worthy son of a worthy father. He_ trusted that" in the higher waits of life which they all hoped and believed he would tread, he would continue to win the same good opinion au that now held for him lithe citizens of Dunedin. • He had little fear that Mr Thomson, who had followed the straight and upright course in life, would tatter on the threshold of the career he was now oif the point of entering, and ha could assure him that they- would all be pleased to hear of his successes, and to learn that the respect felt for him here was; the measure of that felt for him by Ids future associates.—(Applause.) HJs Worship then presented the cheque, which amounted to £222 2s lOd, with these words: I have been asked fay the treasurer to say that this is a hearty and spontaneous gift given in the broad and liberal spirit of the great and generous founder of (he scholarship, ths late Cecil Rhodes, to the first Rhodes scholar in New Zealand, Janies Allan Thomson, B.Sc., with the best wishes of the subscribers, who represent Almost every nationality and creed ladies and gentlemen who thorouglily appreciate tits very distinguished position to which Mr Thomson has attained.

In accepting the presentation, Mr Thomson raid that he thanked them all for the handsome gift they had made him, and fer the kind things they had said about him. He had great pride in standing before them ou this occasion, but would never forget that his position was as much dependent on the favorable environment of his upbringing as upon big own effort?. He felt the deepest gratitude towards Dunedin and her citizas. R gave him the greatest pleasure to know that his father’s part in Ins. success had been recognised. To his influence ho owed whatever qualifications ho possessed for the position he occupied. The example he had shown his family, of unselfish work for others, would never be forgotten by him, and it was his ambition to resemble his father in this respect. Of hie birthplace and home he was us proud as the Apostle Raul, whose boast it was that he was a Jew of Tarsus, a citizen of no mean city. Dunedin was a city of which anv native should be proud, and that it should continue so should be, the endeavor of cver-v generation. Its surroundings end environment could not but keep the characters of its citizens beautiful, fresh, and good. He owed n deep debt of gratitude to their educational system, which was a great aid to true Democracy. The Kaikorai School, at which he received his early training, compared favorably, -he believed, with ' any school in tho colony. The Roys’ High School was also a school of which any old boy might feel proud. The beautiful buildings and site, combined with the fine teach ing to give a true education. The athletic side of the reboot life also deserved reebg. nition, and in this capacity the unselfish efforts ,of Mr F. H. Campbell deserved special mention. With regard to the University, be was proud to be connected with it. In spite of its youth, it was beginning to train those Dissociations that were so much valued rn older colleges. Some of the professors were men who would make their mark in any community. But it was to*tho Mining School especially that he owed a great pert of his success l . It would bo a bad day for. Dunedin if that School were allowed to disappear, for ito excellent training was evidenced by the high position taken by its graduates the world over. Professor Scott’s remark that outside of

New Zealand it was by the Schcoj of Minos that tho University of Otago was known, would bear repetition. Nor was the School of Mines’ training solely connected with mining of gold. The School of Arte and Science was not complete without the teaching of peolog} - —a subject which .tost the University less than almost any subject of tho arts course, aud .certainly less than any subject in the science course* Dr Marshall’s teaching of this subject compared favorably with that of any other teacher in the University, and they had in him a man who would make a name for lilmself and for tho school far beyond the colonv by his research work. The School of Mines also afforded .special facilities for men of manv professions to complete certain parts of their studios. Civil engineers and. surveyors would obtain special facilities if they attached themselves to the school. Therefore, considering tho great boon the school was to the City and tho small amount of money it cost all past students would be keenly disappointed if the citizens allowed it to bo so lightly removed. lie begged, aeajn, to thank them most sincerely for their kindness, and assured them that he would strive to live up to their goal wishes and hopes; A vote of thanks to tho mayor for presiding. proposed by the Dev. Mr Hcwitson and carried by applause, concluded the proceedings.