HIGH SCHOOL EX-PUPILS' ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9187, 12 April 1910, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOL EX-PUPILS' ASSOCIATION.

WELLINGTON BRANCH

In the capital city of the Dominion there are at present about fifty flig' l , School old boys ot the Palmerston North High bchool. some _ m business, some in Civil _ Servico po»itions. and others btudying at V ictoua College. Thev formed last.year a braneu of the Ex-Pupils' Association, and on Friday last held their second annual reunion at Scott's rooms, Wellington. Air Eric Inder presided over a very enthusiastic gathering; and in tae aosence of the Rector. Mr J. E. Vernon who was unable on., account of ,tho_ recent, hie. to spare the tiinc for the visit, the sta.t were represented by Messrs F. l'oote anct J. Murrnv. After the loyal toast ot ! "The King" had been honoured. Mr «■ Chapman welcomed the vunlors, andjneii the President proposed the toast of lhe Rector and the School." ivlr Inder. expressed the great disappointment they all felt on account of Mr Vernon's absence that evening, and particularly lor the reason that had caused it. 11°. refetiod affectionately to their connection with the old School, of which they were all proud, and expressed the hope that it would have a very prosperous year. In responding Mr F. Foote said tnat he. too. wa' very sorrv Mv Vernon hud boon unable to attend the re-union, but conveyed a messa-re of goodwill iron) him instead. Personally, he congratulated the Association on the loyalty that had prompted them to form the branch and on its continued success. _ He also gave the gathering an interesting account ot the state in which the fire had left the building "vvhere they had formoil,\ been taught, and mentioned the fact that exnumls in Palmerston were considering the advisability of holding a. bazaar, or adopting some means by which to raise funds to help in equipping the now school. The toasb of "The Staff was proposed bv Mr E. Waldegrave, who voiced the feelings of all the members of the branch in stating how mucn they all owed to their former teachers. Mr J Murrav responded, and in thanking the old boys for the very cordial welcome extended to the representatives of the staff, told them of the great mfiuence their Wellington branch would exeit even in the present life of the School. Most of its members were boys who had remained over two years at School, and the traditions they loft behind them were a valuable help in cultivating a spirit of csprit-dc-corps among the new boys. The toast. "Ex-Lady Scholars.'" was nonoured with enthusiasm, and Mr E. Finlayson referred to the successes of tne girls in their work, tennis and hockey. ■ and stated that they all felt that not a little of the prestige of the School had been won for it by many of the old girl pupils. "Absent Old Pupils" were remembered by Mr J. D. "Vernon, and these, he said, like themselves, would very much lament the loss sustained owing" to the recent fire. Even a fine new buiiding would scarcely mean the same to them as the ashes of the one just destroyed. Mr J. 11. Rutherfurd replied to this toast, and on his suggestion Mr J. Chapman was appointed a. secretary to correspond with the Palmerston Association in order to keep the two branches in touch with each other s doings. Mr Rutherfurd also the following motion, which was carried with _ very evident approval: "The old pupils of the Palmerston North High School present at the annual gathering of the Wellington Old Boys' P ranch desire_ to express their sincere - sympathy with the Board of Governors, the. Rector, and his staff in the recent loss of the High School buildings, which loss they feel sure will be looked on as a personal one by all who had the good fortune to pass any -.time at that institution." The next toast honoured was..proposed by Mr A. Faire. It was that of "The Board of Governors." Mr Faire expressed their sympathy with the Governors in their present circumstances. but felt confident they were a body of men who would surmount their difficulties and do their very best for the School. Mr B. Kibblewhite made tho response to this toast, and stated thatthey all now realised the very important functions the Governors had to discharge, and he referred with appreciation to the manner in which tho Board had always provided for the comfort of the pupils in their work and games. Tho usual toast to "The Host" was also drank, and during the evening musical items and recitations were contributed by Messrs L. Learv, E. Finlayson, J. W. Rutherfurd and J. Murray. A very pleasant part of the evening's- proceedings was the informal conversation among the members of the Association. The uppermost topic, of course, was the fire; and a. subscription taken up in the room is to be forwarded to the Board of Governors to be used in the equipment of the new school as is thought best. The Association sent also a message of best wishes to the boys now at school, and they hope to be able to arrange a. football match with them in Palmerston for June 3rd. A vote of thanks to "tho secretary, Mr R. D. Newth. and to the president, and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne," concluded a most successful re-union.