REUNION DINNER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22511, 31 August 1936, Page 12

REUNION DINNER

GBAMMAE OLD BOYS SWIMMING BATH FOR SCHOOL PROPOSAL BY EXECUTIVE The first reunion dinner to be conducted by the Auckland Grammar School Old Boys' Association for five years was held at Hotel Cargon on Saturday night, when nearly 50 senior old boys of tho school and representatives from kindred associations were present. The president of the Old Uovs' Association, Mr. J. V. Macky, presided. In proposing tho toast of " The School," the president said that the Auckland Grammar School had woven itself into the life of tho Dominion and had left its effect to a marked degree on the city and the province. It was 110 boast to say that its pupils occupied the lion's share of the desirable and honourable posts in the community, and in so doing they paid silent tribute to the sound training and influence received at the old school. Return lor {School's Gifts While the gathering represented past generations, however, the school could not afford to cast them iside, Mr. Macky continued. The school needed them and they had a definite place in its life. Gratitude for its gifts in mind and body demanded that something be rendered in return, and in this connection the executive was placing before the old boys a sketch plan of the proposed new school swimming bath which the Old Boys' Association hoped to be able to donate to the school by the liberality of its past pupils. "Measured by the school's contribution to the success in life of its pupils," said the president, "the response of old boys to its needs should be both generous and spontaneous." In supporting the toast, Mr. C. J. Tunks recalled associations with the old Grammar School in Syrnonds Street, which he had attended 50 years ago. He pointed out that old boys had made good in every department of life. Education for Leisure The headmaster, Mr. C. M. Littlejolm, responded to the toast. A slogan for education in past years, he said, had been education for efficiency. That was now being superseded by a new tlogan, education for leisure. With the mechanisation of industry, people had come to believe they had more leisure, and education authorities were now engaged in helping them to make the best use of this time. Certain alterations had been made in tho school curriculum with the view to assisting the boys to a better utilisation of leisure, and all forms now had a library period and a gymnasium period. There were further periods, in which the school divided lip into about 20 groups, according to the inclination of the boys, and they were given training which would help to lit them for social life and their lives as citizens.

The following toasts also were honoured: —" Kindred Associations, " proposed by Dr. K. MacCormiek, vicepresident. and responded to by Mr. A. B. Rainger (King's College Old Boys' Association); "The Masters," proposed by Mr. T. C. AAebb, vice-presi-dent, and replied to bv Mr. J. F. Russell; "Absent Old Boys," proposed by Mr. J. X. Peart, headmaster of King's College. Elocutionary items were given by Mr. J. Finlavson and piano solos wero played by Mr. 13. liilton.

SMOKE CONCERT HELD SOUTH ISLAND WEST COASTERS Memories of 30 and 40 years ago were revived at the smoke concert held by the West Coasters' (South Island) Association in the Strand Cafe on Saturday night. The president, Mr. E. T. Smith, presided over an attendance of nearly 100 members and their friends. In expressing his pleasure at seeing so many old West Coasters and their friends present, the president said that the association had decided it would like to give its Auckland friends an opportunity of enjoying the hospitality for which the West Coast was famous. It was with this end in view that the smoke concert had been arranged, and the splendid response at the inaugural gathering would be a strong incentive to hold similar functions ill the iuture. The following toasts were honoured:— "The Good Old Coast," proposed by Mr. E. T. Smith and responded to by Captain W. Hnrtsome; "The Visitors,' proposed bv Mr. H. Montgomery and replied to by Mr. J. Ward; "The West Coasters' Association," proposed by Mr. G. MeCowatt and< replied to by Mr M. Bourke; "Kindred Associations." proposed by Mr. W. R. Horton and replied to 'by Mr. E. Guiness; "The Artists," proposed by Mr. J. Strachau. An entertaining programme of musical, elocutionary and humorous items was presented, a very warm reception being accorded a of friends from the New Zealand Institute tor the Blind who contributed several numbers