HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS

Evening Star, Issue 20862, 4 August 1931, Page 3

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS

REUNION DINNER The annual reunion of_ the Otago High School Old Hoys’ Society was held in the Somerset Lounge of the Savoy last night, the function this year taking ilie form of a dinner The attendance was large and a very enjoyable evening was passed. Mr J. AI. Fraser was in tho chair, and with him at the top table were the Lector (Mr W. J. Morrell) and the chairman of tho Hoard of Governors (Mr J. C. Stephens). At the conclusion of dinner, the Chairman expressed pleasure at seeing so many old hoys present. Ko thought, however, that the society was not getting the support of the old boys of the city that it was entitled to. Organisations in tho other centres seemed to bo able to do very much better than they could do in Dunedin in affairs of that sort. He thought the society was deserving of more support than it had received in the past. A society of that sort could he carried on only by enthusiasts, and while many of those who took a great interest in tho society in tho earlier days had passed away, there were still a number of stalwarts left, such as Mr E. Webster. Air Fraser appealed to some of the younger old boys to take their share in the running of the society, and to qualify for the positions that tho older members bail held. He welcomed the chairman of the Hoard of Governors (Air J. C. Stephens), and wished to assure him that old boys appreciated all the things the board did for the society. He hoped Air Stephens would see that tho board would he just as good in tho future as it had been iu the past. A welcome was also extended to representatives of kindred associations. Air Fraser explained that tho dinner, that night was .something of an experiment, but it had been a, groat success, and he was sure that it would bo an even greater success next year. The large attendance was sufficient to show that old boys still took an interest in the old school, and as years passed by they looked back on their school days with great pleasure. TOAST LIST. The toast of “ The School ” was entrusted to Air C. AI. Gilray,' who referred to the school as it was in his day —the old masters, Air F. 11. Campbell, Air Alnngn Watson, Air Alexander Wilson, and Air Hront. Ho made humorous reference to many of his experiences, and coming to more serious subjects, said they were all aware that Otago Hoys' High School had done ail that might have been expected of it for the community They knew how many old hoys held high positions throughout Now Zealand, and how many wore scattered in other parts of tho Empire. There had been a steady Jlow of men goingout from the school idled with the high ideals that were instilled into them there and in their homes. They went out into tho world to give freely of what they had learned at the old school on the hill. He was quite sum that tho Afomorial Gates at tho school made all old boys feel that should tho call ever oomo again they would find old boys of the school ready to take their part. The Lector, in reply, thought it was a happy idea that tho Inaction that year should have taken the form of a dinner for that was tho traditional way of celebrating such anniversaries, and it gave them an opportunity of meeting together in an informal way. He paid tribute to tho work that the society had done in tho past, and mentioned * sue!) old members who had now passed away as Dr Fulton, Air Walter Guthrie, Air Herbert Webb, and others who had done yeoman service for the society and for the school in days gone by. Ho felt confident that the boys coming on would carry on the work of the society which had been of such great value hi tho past. He felt sure that the invaluable support tho society had given tho school in the past, and was giving at present, would be continued in the future towards the well-being of tho school. Ho could assure them that such support was appreciated by vlio staff of the school, and, lie believed bribe present boys. If the school had been able to do tho things that Air Gilray had spoken of it was undoubtedly duo to the form masters, to those who were actually taking classes, and perhaps even now, some of the older old boys might hardly realise the extent to which masters gave of their time and energy for itho boys, not merely in the classroom but in the playing field, and in other ways. Ho believed that tho boys were grateful for tile time, care, attention, and friendly interest that the masters took in thorn. Other toasts .honoured -a ere: “ Masters. Past and Present,” proposed by Professor T. D Adams and replied to by Mr F. I f. Campbell and Air L. W. S* Hotting; and “ Kindred Societies,” proposed by Mr L. L. Fairmaid and reified to by various representatives present. Dnn’n" the evening items were given by Messrs A landers, Aloiler, Fraser, and Calder.