OLD BOYS’ TRIBUTE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2075, 16 March 1922, Page 5

OLD BOYS’ TRIBUTE.

WAR MEMORIAL LIBRARY. AT P.N. HIGH SCHOOL. Yesterday Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Education, opened the memorial library erected in the Palmerston North High School grounds by the Old Boys’ Association, in memory of their comrades who fell in tire war. The building, a substantial one constructed in briCK, was erected out of funds subscribed by old boys and parents, and the committee is to be congratulated on its noble and successtui euort to perpetuate the memory of their schoolmates who have "gone West.” Mr W. F. Durward, chairman of the High School Board of Governors, presided. The attendance of parents and old boys was large, while the senooi cadet corps was on parade. Major K. D. Hardie. , D. 5.0., as president of the Association, said it was his privilege to hand over the library to the school. The building would serve as-a memorial to those -tnen who went away and died, doing their duty to their country. Not only would it be a memorial to those men, but a monument of example to all who were growing up to use it. Ho trusted the pupils rising to manhood would recognise their responsibilities as those brave men had done. He urged that the inculcation of the patriotic spirit into our coming citizens should be pursued, so that if the need ever arose, the boys of to-day would be ready to follow the glorious example set in the Great War. It was with profound feeling that Major Hardie handed over the building to the school, • Mr J. W. Rutherfurd, an ex-presid-ent of the Association, reviewed the work in connection with the establishment of the memorial. There had I been some criticism as to the form the memorial should take. Some wanted it to be of a useful nature, while others had a leaning to an artistic monument, it was decided it should bo of some service to the school of which they had been so proud. One of the main reasons was, however, that there would be A CONSTANT REMINDER to the generations following, who would use it. The Association was deexuy grateful to the Minister for his assistance in the matter of the building, and to tne parents and pupils who had subscribed. Mr Rutherfurd said that there were 0 3 names inscribed on the roll of honour within tne library, and all had been personally taught by the late Mr Vernon, tne former recior, who had been -endeared to them ail, and had xeit very keenly their deatn. Mr Durward sxjoko briefly, and accepted the gut on behalf of the Doard. The Minister said this school was to be envied and congratulated for two reasons. The first was that when the dread hour came its sous failed not and went to the war; secondly, the old boys felt it their duty to remember the noble dead. He thought the choice ot a library as a memorial was a happy one, and without doubt the best. We mourned these men, but What would be the spirit in 50 to 10() year;, to come? He did not doubt the' memorial would keep their memory i ever-green. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., also spoke and moved a v vote of thanks to the Minister and Mrs T’arr for their attendance that day. This was carried uaani- ' mously. ROLL OF HONOUR. The Rector, Mr J. Murray, thanked the Old Boys for what they had done in providing a tangible memorial. He then read the roil of honour list as follows: —R. Adams, J. Andrew, H. Astbury, H. Ayliug, J. C. Bailey, W. Balsillie, Y. Barber, E. B. Bennett, R. Bett, L. R. Bremner, H. Broderick, G. L. Bur bush, A. E. Butler, W. A, Chapman, H. D. Craw, V. D. Elliott, C. J. Entwisle, T. G. Ericksson, N, Farland, R. Fowler, R. K. Goodsir, H, Gudgeon, R. W. Guy, W. A. Gray, B. Hodder, V. Hodson, E. Holben, F. W. Honore, J. Jamieson, F. de Lueu, W. Lang, E. R. Leary, T. Lyons, E. Low, R.- Mason, A. McCall, R. McMillan, C. Mather, E. Matheson, A. McPerran, P. Macintire, P. F. Mcßae, W. J. Mitchell, J. D. Munro, D. R. Pallant, G. C. Pedder, G. Pegdcu, A. Pole, W. A. Peed, G. B. Porter, T. Preece, H. D. Richardson, A. F. Robbie, E. Robertson, F. N. Robinson, H. G. Ruscoe, H. 1 S. Russell, N. Russell, H. M. Sanson, R. D. Scales, S. Standen, T. E. Stubbs, :v. Sutton, F. Twistleton, G. H. Vaughan, L. E. W. West, F. Whittaker* ■ G. C. Wilson, A. V. Young. , The "Last Post” was sounded, after which the Minister formally opened the library. The singing of the ; National Anthem concluded the cere- . mony.

by .Messrs Hubert Carter, H. Lyall, Misses Whalley, Bett and Massey | pupils) Messrs B. J. Jacobs, L. F. de Berry, G. C. Swallow, and the Boj hemian orchestra of 14 players, under the conductorship of Mr. Chas Pike. A strong committee of ladies under Mrs H. Palmer’s direction, are arranging for the sale of sweets and souvenier programes whilst a committee of Old Boys is attending to lighting by electricity of the building and the seating of the large audience which is expected. The occasion is one that is worthy of commemoration and special efforts are being made to have all ex-teachers present and also Mr. F. B. Watson, now resident of Te Puke, who was headmaster here for nearly 40 years. The committee propose giving the old pupils and citizens an opportunity of swelling the funds, by inviting donations which can be sent to Mr. P. Barcomb, the Secretary, box 67, Palmerston ; North. Should sufficient funds be ' available after the piano is purchased, they will be applied to the lay. 1 ing out and beautifying of the grounds.