KING'S COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 11

KING'S COLLEGE.

FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL, NEW SYSTEM OF CONTROL, INFLUENCE OF TRADITION, "There is a definite movement in th» Dominion to acknowledge the value of in* dependent schools," said the Rev. H. Kv Archdall, headmaster of King's College, in a speech at the annual dinner of the Old Boys' Association on Saturday evening. "We stand quite humbly for a tradition which, \vc believe, must make for the future welfare of the land." Mr. Archdall said he was specialty; pleased to meet old boys this year, as tho success of the negotiations to have tho college taken over by the St. John's College Trust Board augured well for tlia future of King's College. Hie college was at last coming back to its own mother, and the status which it hoped to achieve had been quite definitely stated. "If the college is moving toward new things, so must the association," continued Mr. Archdall. "It is of the utmost importance that every old boy should feel that he is still part of his school. A gathering such as this should give to yoir some of your old school spirit; it should bring before you again some of the ideals for which your old school stands; and then you should be able to go out as a body of men with a common spirit arid common ideals and put them into practice.: "There has been an increase in membership of your association in the last four years, and I hope there will also be an increase in the organised activity of expressing the ideals of the school. Not only should these ideals actuate you in your private lives, but you should also carry them into public life. With thera behind you, you could get down to political questions in an unbiased way and do your share to lead and help the people of the country. "We have to fight for and believe in one of the cultural traditions of the Old Land and try to express jt under the' different conditions of this young country. Independent schools are not merely, critics of State schools; they are complementary to them. The idea that education is purely a State function is contrary to British tradition, and independent schools can exercise a very valuable influence in keeping education from being standardised to too great an extent." It was to be hoped that Auckland in the near future would give King's Collego even more assistance than it had done in the past, Mr. Archdall added. Support had not been lacking, for in the last eight years, Auckland had given over £50,000 to King's College. However, he continued to look to the future and to wait as patiently as possible for the time when King's College would have permanent buildings and the very best educational facilities available. N Nearly 100 old boys attended the dinner. The president of the association, Mr. J. C. Whitney, presided, and among the guests were the Rev. J. G. T. Castle, headmaster of King's School, and Mr. A„ St.C. Brown and Mr. T. S. Miller, representing the Auckland Grammar School Old Boys' Association. An apology was received from Mr. C. T. Major.