MEMORIAL TO TEACHERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21342, 17 November 1932, Page 14

MEMORIAL TO TEACHERS

LIVES LOST IN THE WAR

TRAINING COLLEGE GATES

DEDICATION AND OPENING

The fine stono and bronze gates erected at the East Avenue entrance to tho Auckland Training Collego in memory of soldier-teachers who fell in the Great War were dedicated and formally opened yesterday at a large gathering of teachers, students and the general public. Among those present were Major-General W. L> 11. Sinclair-Burgess, General Officer Commanding tho New Zealand Military Forces; Colonel J. E. Duigan, Officer Commanding tho Northern Command; Archbishop Averill; tho deputy-mayor of Auckland; Mr. A. J. Entrican; the chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. T. U. Wells, and tho president of Auckland University College, Sir George Fowlds. A guard of honour, nearly 80 strong, with tho regimental colour, was provided by C Company, Auckland Regiment, consisting of students of the collego, under Lieutenant K. C. Reid. Music was provided by tho band of the Auckland Grammar School.

Mr. C. F. Collins, president of tho Auckland branch of tho New Zealand Educational Institute, who presided, said that the project had been long in maturing, but the teachers of tho province had felt that tho memorial would not be worthy unless it were dedicated free of debt. The necessaiy money had been raised mainly by the teachers' own efforts. They felt most grateful to the Education Board for the generous help it had given, and particularly to tho board's architect, Mr. A. B. Miller, and his assistants. The memorial was beautiful and stately, and thoroughly in keeping with its purpose.

Leadership in War

Mr. Wells read tho following passage from a letter received from Major-General Sir Andrew Russell:—"No one knows better than myself, perhaps, tho very great debt which this country and their comrades in tho New Zealand Expeditionary Forco owe to tho teachers of tho Dominion who served overseas. I doubt if any other profession contributed as many leaders of men as the teaching profession."

"This tributo is the more splendid because theso men were not trained in leadership and warfare, but in guiding boys and girls along the path that leads to good citizenship," said Mr. Wells. He added that the memorial had been set most appropriately at the entrance to the Training College, and especially so when it was remembered that among the fallen was numbered the first principal of the college, Mr. H. A. E. Milnes, a typical leader of men. To the young teachers who would pass through them day by day the gates would be a challenge and an inspiring call to duty. Th© archbishop, preceded by the Rev. E. H. Strong with the primatial cross, advanced to the gates and conducted a short service of dedication. A wreath of laurel was laid by Mr. Collins at the foot of one of the pylons on behalf of the colleagues of the fallen. Others were deposited on behalf of past and present students of the Training College and the children of the Auckland primary schools. A Fine Conception

"I believe that over 304 primary school teachers left the Auckland education district to serve in the Great War and that 52 did not come back, having laid down their lives in the great cause." said MajorGeneral Sinclair-Burgess. The memorial was a wonderfully fine conception, he added, and well worthy of the men it commemorated. It recalle'd to him many memorials standing to-day in foreign lands, and particularly the Menin Gate, facing out from Ypres toward the famous salient. He hoped that it would give help and encouragement to young teachers in their difficulties and bo a stimulus to service, and, if necessary, to sacrifice.

The general then advanced and opened the bronze gates.

Mr. D. M. Rae, principal of the college, in accepting the key of tho gates from Mr. Collins, assured him that the gates would be garlandjd on national commemoration days, and would be respected and honoured. After the ringing of the National Anthem, a party of ex-soldier teachers marched 'through the gates. The guard, representing the teachers of to-morrow, went through next, and the band and official party followed. Later the invited guests were entertained by the Educational Institute at afternoon tea and large numbers of tho public took the opportunity to inspect displays of students' work in the classrooms.