High School Old Boys Hold Reunion

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 274, 22 November 1934, Page 8

High School Old Boys Hold Reunion

ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT HELD Old boys of tho Palmerston North High School foregathered at the Empire hall last evening for the annual smoke concert, there being an attendance of approximately 70, while numerous apologies for unavoidable absence -were received. The president of the association, Mr C. B. Eglinton, presided, proceedings commencing with the Loyal -Toast. Tribute to the Staff Mr G. Tremaine, in proposing the toast to the staff, paid a tribute to these members. Last week, he said, he had had the pleasure of attending the jubilee celebrations of tho Terrace End School—a primary school—and it had been there that he had again been struck with the sincere regard and affection felt for teachers. The affection for masters always lingered, and personally ho could never forget the late Mr J. E. Yernon, who, in the speaker’s term at school, was the principal, and the present principal, Mr J. Murray, who had then been the second assistant. The character of the boys going through tho school had always been moulded by the masters, and the Palmerston North Boys’ High School had been particularly fortunate in this regard. It said a lot for the school that four old boys were at present on the teaching staff (Messrs H. W. Kerr, R. W. Cumberworth, E. W. and A. C. Espiner), while two others had held temporary positions (Messrs A. McSweeney and F. Stock well). In reply, Mr J. A. Colquhoun, who has been at the school for 21 years, said that it was very pleasing to hear that they ‘ ‘were good fellows’ ’ —it counted a lot. It was some recompense to see, in later years, what real good sorts the old boys were, and to see how tho "ugly ducklings” had made a success in life. The old boys of the school, he felt, compared very favourably with others from similar institutions in the Dominion. Mr W. P. Anderson said that the last time he had spoken at the function had been at the school’s silver jubilee, while on this occasion it was his own silver jubilee with the school. (Applause.) On coming to the school he had been struck with the familiar and friendly spirit between master and student, and this same spirit had been carried on. “The Old School’ ’ . Mr C. B. Eglinton toasted “The School,” which he said had a splendid scholastic and sporting record. All old boys always thought of the ol'd school and felt proud of their associations with it. Mr Murray (the principal), in rising to reply, was accorded an ovation. It was good to be at an old boy3’ gathering, lie said, and to see both old faces and new. There were many distinguished ex-students present, in addition to loyal members of the staff, and he felt it an honour to be connected with the school. The common bond was the school, which drew all' together and proved to be tho unifying interest. The achievements of the institution undoubtedly compared favourably with other institutions, and he felt sure that all old boys would strive to maintain this record. The toast of “Absent Old Boys”—■ including those who fell' in the Great War—was proposed by Mr L. G. .Sinclair, vice-president of the association, while Mr A. W. Yortt proposed tho toast of "Kindred Associations.” Musical items were given by Messrs 4- Pizzey. W. Robertson and otiiers.