COLLEGE REUNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20981, 18 September 1931, Page 12

COLLEGE REUNION.

FOUR SOUTHERN SCHOOLS. FIRST HELD *IN AUCKLAND. VALUE OF TEAM SPIRIT. The first reunion of its kind held in Auckland, a gathering of old boys of four colleges, took place last evening, when 36 old boys of Christ's College, Wellington College, Nelson College and the Wanganui Collegiate School, assembled at a smoke concert. Mr. X. Gibson (Christ's College) presided, and during the evening representatives of the other three schools, as well as delegates from the old boys' associations of the Auckland Grammar School and King's College, addressed the meeting. The value of school and team spirit, in keeping men together after, their college days had ended, and in making possible gatherings of old boys of rival colleges, was stressed by Sir. Gibson, Ifo said that although it was less than 100 years since schoolboys in England had given up marbles, tip-cat and bullying as recreations. and organised games had mndo their appearance as recently as the middle of the last century, no school to-day could hold up its head unless organised sport formed a very important part of its life. While it was well into the 'seventies before team games had any real place in public schools in England, Christ's College had met a team from the Otago Boys' High School in 1883, and the next year played Wellington College. Later Wanganui had taken part in an annual contest, and inoro recently Nelson, and now a regular tournament had become a fixture. The cultivation of the team spirit had been a very valuable factor in building up the race, but still further development was needed, in social relations and in politics particularly, said Mr. Gibson. Tho day of tho ine.ro individual had passed and the fact that to-day it was possible to hold a gathering of old boys of four schools, who had in the past known each other only as friendly rivals in sport, augured well for tho future. Attention was drawn to the fact that the guests included two very old Wanganui scholars, and one from Wellington. Mr.. N. J. Chadwick (Wanganui) joined tho school in 1868 arid left in 1871, while Mr. F. 11. Field, a pupil of the same school, joined in 1877 and left in 1886. Mr. J. Toomath (Wellington) joined in 1871 and left the college in 1876. A number of the older scholars present recalled memories of their days at school, while during the evening a programme of musical items was enjoyed. A toast-list was honoured. It was decided to make the function an annual one.