BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL “AT HOME.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14192, 15 October 1906, Page 8

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL “AT HOME.”

j~~ Tlie old buildings,of the Boys’ High School • were thronged on Saturday evening, when the school was “At Home” to celebrate the twenty-fifth year of its foundation. The reception of the guests was held in the hall. Mr C. Lewis, M.H.R., in welcoming the guests, said, that as far as possible, the gathering was to be without formality, but, of course, certain forms required to be observed. He congratulated the school, past ami present, the past and" present masters, and the past and present boys, on the gathering. After paying a warm tribute to the founders of the school, Mr Lewis called upon the headmaster bo speak of the school. I Mr C. E. Bevan-Brown read numerous apologies for absence received from old boys in various parts of New Zealand. Referring to the school, he said that it was endowed by an Act of Parliament in 1878, and was opened on May 19, 1881, with eighty-three pupils. The first headmaster was Mr T. Miller. Since that time the buildings had been extended twice, once in 1891 and again 1 in 1896. He believed that those instrumental in founding the school intended it as a feeder to Canterbury College. If that were its mission, it had been fulfilled. No fewer than thirty of the school’® boys had won junior University scholarships, while seventeen had carried off senior scholarships. The school had won twenty M.A. degrees with honours, and could claim twentyeight Bachelors of Arte. Ton first-class and twelve second-class honours had been secured by boys from the school, while five had gained the LL.D. degree, and eight had succeeded in winning the degree of Bachelor of Engineering. Out of forty first-class honours in chemistry obtained by Canterbury College, seven had been taken by ex-High School boys. In science, too, three first-class honours had fallen to the school, and out of nineteen double first-class honours recorded at the College, three were won by High School boys. At times he was almost appalled by the number of opportunities he had been afforded of moulding the future lives of men. Fifteen hundred and ninety-five boys had passed through the school, and were now to be found in all corners of the globe and in all professions. The school had a wonderful permanence in regard to the staff. One master, Mr B. K. S. Lawrence, had been with the school since its foundation, while he himself, could claim twenty-two years’ connection. I Mr MU H. Montgomery said that.hoj

was the oldest Old Boy, having been the first boy to be entered upon the roll. He recalled the names of the old masters, and said that he still vividly remembered- the first day of the school. The school was brand new, and the masters and boys were new, and no one had any idqa .who was who, and which were theright rooms. It was a fearful mix-up, but things were scon got ship-shape. There were many things that would never be forgotten as long as the school existed. All boys, past and present, would ever remember that fifty-seven Old Boys went to fight in South Africa, and they would also remember that four never came back. Tli© school had more than, held its own in sports, supplying three members to the “ All Blacks.” He would gladly co-operate with any scheme set on foot to show respect to the old school. Dr Orchard also spoke in eulogy of the masters, past and present. , After the conclusion of the speeches, Mr Lewis presented the President’s Cup, won; by the football team in 19Q5 and 1906.

Supper was served, and musical items and gramaphone records were given. After supper the school was thrown open for the inspection of the visitors. ; Mr R. Speight, 8.50., gave a magic lantern lecture on “Glaciers.”