GREAT IDEALIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23205, 26 November 1938, Page 17

GREAT IDEALIST

LATE MR. C. T. MAJOR MEMORIAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING WARM TRIBUTES PAID The deep affection and esteem, in which the late Mr. C. T. Major, loutider and former headmaster of King's College, was held by the old boys of the school and others in many walks of life in Auckland and throughout the Dominion, was revealed in the large assembly at the memorial service conducted last night in the college chapel. Even after additional seating accommodation had been provided in the aisle the congregation overtaxed the capacity of the building. Originally arranged to be held on Tuesday night the service was postponed until last night to enable many old boys and friends to join in paying respect to the memory of a friend and. teacher, "Tale far from Finished" The emotions and sentiments of the congregation were aptly phrased in the words of Archbishop Averill in his address: "He lives; the tale of Mr. Major's life is told; but it is far, far from being finished." Taking as the text for his address the words in the 90th Psalm: "We spend our years as a tale that is told," Archbishop Averill said that with the closing of 0110 life the tale was not ended, but continued 011 in the lives of others. So it was .with the passing of their friend, Charles Major. The tale of his life was told, but the impressions made by it upon others would be indestructible because they had become integral parts of lives of many others. Auckland's Great Loss "The names of Charles Major and King's College have been so closely and intimately associated that we cannot dissociate the one from the other," continued the archbishop. King's College had been built up and developed upon the ideals and devoted service of their friend. "This chapel will always be a memorial to him as well as for those for whom it was primarily erected," Archbishop Averill said. Mr. Major had been an idealist in the best sense of the world. His sacrificial service for King's School a few years r.gt> when he emerged from his retirement to resume the duties of headmaster again would not be forgotten. "Auckland has lost a great headmaster, a great citizen and a great citizen-maker," the speaker concluded. "1 thank God tor what Charles Major has done for us and for this school."

Many Organisations Represented The lessons were read by Canon Strong, who was associated with the institutions as chaplain under the late Mr. Major. The school choir rendered the anthem "Crossing the Bar" and the singing of the hymn "Abide With Me" by the congregation was marked by a deep emotion. The Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, and Lady Davis were present, accompanied by the town clerk, Mr. J. Mailing. There were also present representatives of the following organisations: —The King's College Old Roys' Association, St. John's College Trust Board, the King's School Trust Board, Dilworth Trust Board, Auckland and Takapuna Grammar Schools, old boys of both those schools and Christ's College,. the Prince Albert Grammar School, St. Peter's College, Cambridge, the Auckland and Waikato Regiments and the Officers' Club, Auckland.