NEW RHODES SCHOLAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 5 December 1927, Page 7

NEW RHODES SCHOLAR

F. J. PLATTS-MILLS OLD NELSON COLLEGE BOY Mr John V. Platts-Mills, who has been selected one of the New Zealand Rhodes Scholars, is 20 years of age. His primary school days were spent at the Terrace, Karori and Ocean Bay (Marlborough) Schools, after which he entered Nelson College. There he won his form prizes in 1919, 1920, 1921 and 1922. In 1919 he won a Junior National Scholarship and followed it up by winning the Senior Scholarship the next year. He passed the Matriculation, Solicitors' General Knowledge , and Medical Preliminary examinations in 1921 (age 15), and'in 1923 headed the credit list of the University Entrance Scholarship, while 1924 saw him qualify for a Higher Leaving Certificate and win a Junior University Scholarship, his position being 7th for the Dominion. While at Nelson College he won the Fell Scholarship, Chaytor Scholarship for chemistry (twice), and the Simmons Prize for English Literature (twice), the Andrew Memorial for Classics, the Houlter Memorial for indoor and outdoor activities, the Morrison Memorial Cup (champion allround athlete), and the Week's Debating Prize (twice), and was awarded the Stale Memorial Medal for special work in the museum, as well as the Moellcr Medal as head boy of tin: College. He was a member of the College team for the Weekly Press Rifle bhooting Shield, and was a member of the Imperial Challenge team, which headed the New Zealand list. He won the College heavy-weight boxing championship and was a notable figure in the school tennis, football, cricket, swimming athletics, fives and chess. His University career lias.•been equally successful. .He entered Victoria, College in 1919 with an Entrance Scholarship and took up the study of law and succeeded in passing five subjects each year. Ho won the Plunket Oratory Medal in 1920 and represented Wellington in the inter-'Varsity debates. He°has won his blues in athletics, boxing and Rugby. He is a keen sculler and won at the Wanganui and Christchurch regatta's and at the Picton championships, as well as being a member of the winning team at the first inter-'Varsity Boat Race, and represents the Star Club in thocights. He also holds a commission in the Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment.