SCHOOL TRADITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 15

SCHOOL TRADITIONS.

VALUE LATER IN LIFE.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S MESSAGE

FAREWELL AT KING'S COLLEGE.

The manner in which the personality of the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, has appealed to the youth of New Zealand was strikingly demonstrated yesterday in the enthusiastic reception he received at a farewell visit to King's College. Ilis Excellency, who was accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson, was met on' arrival at the college by the headmaster, the Rev. H. K. Archdall, and Mrs. Archdall. Members of the board of governors were also present. Their Excellencies visited the beautiful chapel, built as a memorial iby old boys to those of their number who Tel) in the war, and then proceeded to the college gymnasium, where the boys were assembled.

" i would like to express our gratitude to His Excellency for sparing us a few minutes to address us at the end of the year and near the conclusion of his term ol office," said the headmaster. "We have always looked forward to visits from him and treasured the words he has spoken to us. The Governor-General has endeared himself in the hearts of the young of this Dominion from one end to the other."

" We are both glad to have found an internal in a rather busy day to come and have one last word with you boys at King's College," His Excellency said. "We shall be back here in the first week of next year, but then, I suppose, you will be more plcasurably employed. A visit like this take one's mind back to one's own youth and reminds us how much we owe to our school. One realises that at school \yere formed true ideals "

Schools of England. His Excellency spoke of the immense power of school traditions. At such schools as Eton, Harrow and Winchester there could be seen the names of boys carved on walls and desks for centuries past, among them the names of men who had contributed to the history of the -nation. The lives of these men had been largely influenced by the traditions of v their schools and these remained a great inspiration to later generations. "Of course, the schools irj, New Zealand are young," His Excellency said, " but they are old enough to foster the growth of traditions. You belong to one of the great young schools of New Zealand and you have to establish the traditions which will make for all time the tone and tho character of your school. One of the great objects of a school is to turn out old boys who will go into the world and exercise a good influence on their fellow men.

"Traditions are not easy to explain exactly. I, advise you to admire manliness .wherever you see it; admire truth, frankness and simplicity just as much as you despise cant and arrogance and affectation; keep your-minds independent and thereby eain self-reliance. In doing this you will train yourselves to take a wise and generous part in life: you can let your lives stagnate if voir* like, but that is not the way to happiness. At the opening of the War Memorial' Museum I used the words from the' famous Oration of Pericles: 'These were, men who knew their duty and were not afraid to do it. I am afraid that many people nowadays know their duty, but" arc ready to find any excuse for. .not doing it." "The Second Innings."

AC a gathering of old boys from his own school. Eton, tho Lord' Mayor of London told what he had learned' in his schooldays, His Excellency continued. He described them as the side, the spirit and the second innings. Everyone knew the value of the boy who dismissed personal feelings and played for his side. The spirit was the tone of tho school, that power which made boys do right because they knew it was right, and not from any fear of punishment. The second innings symbolised the second chance which came to everyone some time in life. "There is another lesson in the second innings," His Excellency said. The game is nevejr over until the last ball has been bowled; you must 'stick it out' at all costs. That was the spirit which won the war. In the blackest days at the start of 1918 our men would not confess they were beaten, and they went on to win. The thing is never over until it is absolutely finished; everything must be carried to„ a conclusion. Let that' .he one of tho traditions of your school." "It is the greatest possible assistance to schoolmasters who are endeavouring to build up the traditions of the old English public schools in New Zealand education to have the help of Your Excellency s inspiration," Mr. Archdall said. I say this for King's College, that nu place in New Zealand will rcmeml.tr you more affectionately nor value your words more highly." His Excellency asked to have the college prefects presented to him and as he drove away all the boys assembled at the college gates and cheered him to the echo.