English Public School Boys

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7105, 14 March 1933, Page 8

English Public School Boys

VISIT TO MASSEY COLLEGE The party of English public school boys at present touring tho Dominion under the direction of tho Public School Empiro Tour Committee, arrived in Palmerston North yesterday and spent tho afternoon with an inspection of Massey College. They were met at tho station by Mr. R. S. Abraham, president of the New Zealand Association of English Public Schoolboys, and on being conveyed to Massey Collego by municipal bus, were accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford). The director of the party is Colonel N. Charteris, C.M.G., D. 5.0., who was unable to bo present owing to other arrangements, but Captain A. J. Wilson returned thanks on behalf of the boys, who evinced a keen interest in the college surroundings, farm, stock, and activities.

Some of tho boys, who como from most of England’s large public schools, have been educated at Charterhouse, Eton, Harrow, Marlborough, and Stowe. Their names aro as follow: — R. K. Briscoe, G. E. Hankin (Charterhouse), C. H. Lees, B. N. Waley Cohen (Clifton), H. A. Hope, J. Inncs, A. H. H. Lcbus, Y. Tuko Taylor (Eton), H. Mason (Felstead), J. P. S. Packer (Gresham), D. E. Brewis, M. W. Harrop, J. N. Savoy (Harrow), E. S. Pearce (All Hallows, Honiton), W. RD. Verdin (Lancing), G. F. C. Lindsay (Marlborough), F. G. Wills (Mill Hill), F. A. Hall Hall (Oundle), L. Balfour Paul, J. Iv. Rogers (Sedbergh), A. ,T. Morphew (St. Edward’s, Oxford), J. T. Foreman, J. R. C. Gcddes, D. C. Riley (Stowe), M. P. Brooke, R. F. Harding (Tonbridge), A. N. Hunter (Uppingham), A. Bayley (Whitgift).

The Mayor, in extending the city’s welcome, briefly sketched the history of New Zealand from its first discovery in 1642 by Abel Tasman, to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, mentioning tho valuable gift to the Dominion of the site where the treaty was signed with 2000 acres, by the Governor-General. He said New Zealanders were naturally proud of tho Maori race, who had their representation in Parliament. Mr. Mansford then detailed the progress of Palmerston North from hamlet to city, pointing out that its growth had been the result of its being tho centre of some of the richest dairying land in the Dominion, as well as being the distributing centre of the lower portion of the North Island. The economic blizzard which had befallen the world during tho past three or four years had naturally been reflected in the city, which was so dependent on the wealth of its farming community. “However, wo all hope that wo are nearing tho end of a difficult period in the history of the -world, and that the tradition for which Britons aro noted the world over of hanging on in tho face of adversity will again be proved and that tho depression will bo the foundation of a mightier British Empire,” added the Mayor, who trusted the visit of the boys would bo an enjoyable one. Captain Wilson apologised for the absence of Colonel Charteris, and spoke in appreciation of the Mayor’s welcome. During the tour they had learnt a good deal about New Zealand but little about it 3 history, so that the Mayor’s reference to the early days of the Dominion had proved of moro than usual interest. It was only seven years to the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and maybe some of the boys would like to come back to New Zealand to take part in any celebrations that might be held-. It had been said that tho present was hardly a suitable timo for a tour, but it had been a great privilege to visit New Zealand to see how the Dominion was hanging on. Professor G. S. Peren welcomed the boys on behalf of the college council and staff, stating that they were very pleased to see the visitors.

The boys will leave Palmerston North by cars at 9 o’clock this morning, -when they will pay a visit to Flock House, Bulls, on their way to Wanganui. They will subsequently visit the National Park and Wairakci, and will leave Auckland by the Monowai on March 23.