A Dream of Many Years

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 160, 10 July 1939, Page 8

A Dream of Many Years

Mt. Stewart Memorial Tribute to Pioneers

SANDON OLD BOYS’ INTEREST “The Sandon Old Boys’ Association found its germ of life in a feeling of kinship and during the 35 years of continuous service has brought joy to the thousands of homes throughout the Dominion and overseas to wherever old school pupils have migrated during the years, which can be claimed an achieve ment that has no parallel elsewhere and is in itself a performance which more than justifies the existence of the association,” said Mr. W. J. Croucher in his presidential address at the thirtyfifth reunion at Sandon on Friday night. In his opening remarks, Mr. Craucher said that he was very well aware that there were those who looked with disfavour upon platform addresses at the reunions, and much preferred to indulge in one continuous round of dancing but that fact would not deter him from making a few special remarks on this occasion. It should not be necessary for me to explain that this is not an ordinary dance function. To serve its purpose and to meet the desires of those present, the wishes of Vhe older as well as of the younger visitors are entitled to consideration, especially during the earlier hours of the evening. Informal and free intercourse between old friends and new is the keynote so that all present, especially those who have made special efforts to attend, will feel that they have been abundantly rewarded.

“This year marks the Centennial of our Island home and I know that, as your president, I am expressing the sentiments of all members of our association when I say that each and all desire to play their part as loyal citizens in whatever national undertakings or local projects may be put forward. We have already taken steps in connection with our own scheme on Mt. Stewart, but before going into further details in that connection I would, for the benefit of younger members, briefly allude to a few of our activities during the past 35 years, and to thank those stalwart and loyal local members who have, year m and year out, made all the preliminary arrangements and conducted our socials to a successful issue.

“Not many of our foundation members are present this evening, but I am pleased to see Mr. Jim McNab, Mr. Harold Bowater, and my brother Jim, who were present at the inaugural meeting at the Council Chambers in 1904. I see also the faces of many other old pupils of both sexes who were present at the first social and have been regular in their attendance ever since. Then we pause and think of our first president, Mr. G. Williams, and Mrs. Williams, who were the first school teachers at Sandon, and the grand old couple of this association for ten years. With them there has passed on a long procession of intimate friends who have at various times been representative of all the years since our old school was opened in 1873. To one of these in particular ‘Tim’ Penny, for many years our secretary, we are indebted for the painstaking care that he devoted in compiling our roll of past pupils ah over the Dominion. The sentimental and real underlying guiding principle of our association can only oe suitably expressed in the memories revived and contacts mado between all old pupils and in those actions which go to prove the real bonds of brothernood that animate our endeavours. Illustrative of this may be mentioned the fine gesture that was made at our first gathering in 1904, when a substantial sum was collected in the room and sent as an offering of respect to an old teacher, Mr. A A. England, at Auckland. Later in the same year there was placed in the old school building a marble tablet dedicated to the memory of all past teachers and scholars who had died during the life of the institution. During the war period our socials were suspended and tho existing organisation was employed to raise funds to supply our members serving in the Army with extra comforts. In this way some £4OO was raised and we have every reason to know that the gifts were much appreciated. In 1920 another honours board boaring the names of all past scholars who enlisted was unveiled in befitting solemnity. Arising from this expression of honour and remembrance the practice of holding a regular service of commemoration on the {Sunday following the reunion was conceived and it is on this annual occasion that the sentimental aspect of our association finds its highest and most sincere expression. “This brief outline covers but a few of the manifold ways in which the association achieves its object. In the near future we will see the dreams of many years of effort put into realisation in our tribute to the pioneers of Sandon, which we propose to place on the crest of Mt. Stewart. Old pupils from all over New Zealand are sending along their offers of thanksgiving and there is no doubt that something worthy will be placed on that historic spot that will be distinctly associated with the descendants of Sandon pioneers. “A treasured possession of the association is the New Zealand Ensign, which is displayed only to mark special occasions. This flag was bought and sold for revemie earning purposes many times during the war period and was finally presented to the association by the old boy pupil who made tho final purchase. On it the ladies inscribed in silken threads the names of all schoolmates who served their King and country, many of whom were never to return. One may well ask by what means could true sentimental regard and honoured memory be better expressed than by this simple yet eloquent thought and deed. The cynic may say that there is nothing heroic about the doing of small things that have been mentioned, but he forgets that in the main, deeply oinbedded in human nature, there re-

sides a vital and all-controlling element which rules, governs and inspires the noblest and far-reaching thoughts and actions of mankind, and that inspiring force is our inherent sentimental regard for what is right and fitting.” Value of Sentiment In endorsing Mr. Croucher’s remarks in reference to the sentimental side of the objects of the association, Mr. D. L. A. Astbury, of Eltham, said that Mr. Croucher could have expressed the same remarks at any country district function. The people had all gone through the same trials and hardships and were imbued with the same pioneering spirit throughout the country districts. Although ho had attended the local school for only two years, they had been pleasant years in which he had formed good friendships, and it was a pleasure to him to meet some pupils he went to school with. Mr. Astbury complimented the president on the letter he had sent to all old boys and said that the sentiments expressed in the letter were appreciated by all. He said ho felt envious of tho association’s president when reading his reminiscences of early Manawatu and, in particular, the Sandon district. He thought the association was indeed fortunate in having such a man as president.

The speaker said he wished to endorse the appeal made by Mr. Oroucner to the younger generation to retain tho senti-mental-side of the objects of the association and hoped that interest in the organisation would never lag, as it depended on tho younger members to keep the movement alive.