HIGH STREET SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 19328, 14 August 1926, Page 10

HIGH STREET SCHOOL

WAR MEMORIAL GATES UNVEILED Two years ago or thereabouts, at tiio jubilee of the High Street School, a proposal was made to erect at the school a memorial to tho ex-pupils who died in the Groat War. The idea was adopted and worked to by old boys and old girls, and tho outcome of their efforts is the erection of a stone gateway to the school grounds, the columns of the arch carrying tho names of tho soldiers who were thus brought into everlasting remembrance. There are fifty-six names in all. The tablets were unveiled yesterday afternoon in ■ tho presence of many parents, ex-pupils, and friends, Major Bell representing the Defence Office. Tho proceedings were most suitably planned and most wisely carried out without delay, so that the programme was got through in half an hour. Mr Garth Gallaway, chairman of the School Committee, presided. In his opening remarks he said that, to his mind, the gates formed a suitable memorial, for the boys and girls who passed through them would bo constantly reminded of tbo men to whom wo owed so much. War was a dreadful thing. Since the Great War we had had leagues of nations and disarmament conferences to prevent war. But lie did. not believe that war would ever ho prevented. Tbo time might como when tho boys then • standing in front of him, and tho girls too—for women as well as men had duties to perform when war broke out—would bo called on to servo their country, and ho trusted and hoped that if such a state of things camo about the children present, then grown up into good citizens, with great love l-w their country, would play their part, as nobly as those whoso names were inscribed on these gates. Mr J. Waddell Smith, ex-head master, said, in tho course of his address, that the occasion was not only historic, hut solemn for many parents and friends. Tbo boys whose memories were honored on' the gates wore just tho same sort of boys as those now at the school, learning tho lessons of loyalty and service, and when the call camo they laid down their lives so that others might live in peace and safety. The boys of to-day were learning the same lessons, and be hoped that in whatever path their duty lay they would put into effect tho same principles of loyalty and service, for that was the only way to secure pure happiness. Mr J. Wallace, chairman of the Otago Education Board, said that the gates stood for two things. First, for remembrance of those men who went and did not come back. In the days to come a boy or girl who had been through tho High Street School could point to a name in tho list and say “Ho was my nnelo,” or, perhaps, “ Ho was my father.” The gates also stood for example, reminding everyone who saw them that if ho had a duty to perform ho should do it, as these soldiers did, as true sons of tho Empire. Bugle-sergeant Traiuor then sounded ‘ The Last Post ’ in impressive style, the notes ringing out effectively. Mr Gallaway drew aside tho two Union Jacks, thereby unveiling the tablets, and all stood to attention as the reveille was given out on tho bugle. The Rev. Hector Maclean led in a simple and appropriate prayer, asking to be deemed worthy of_ the sacrifices made bv the fallen soldiers. Then 'the school children sang with fine effect Kipling’s ‘ Laud of Our Birth,’ to the tune ‘ Mclcombe,’ Mr W. F. Abel (head master) conducting and Miss Crawley accompanying on a portable organ. This was a most pleasing feature of tho proceedings. Mr Gallaway formally handed over tho gates to the school for safe keeping, and Mr Abel replied that it would be the duty of the pupils to care for and preservo the memorial, so that it might bo handed down _ unsullied to future generations of children. The singing of tho National Anthem concluded the ceremony. The visitors were 'greatly pleased with tho way tho children behaved, and with tho way they were controlled in their movements by the staff. There was no fuss, but everything was done The gates were made by 11. S. Bingham and Co.