WELLINGTON COLLEGE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11702, 14 December 1923, Page 3

WELLINGTON COLLEGE

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION SIR ROBERT STOUT PRESIDES AT BREAKJNG-UP CEREMONY. BIG GATHERING AT OPERA HOUSE. COLLEGE’S SPLENDID RECORD. There was a large gathering at the Grand Opera House yesterday afternoon for the break-up and prize-giving in connection with the Wellington Boy’s College. Mr W. F. Ward (chairman of the Board of Governors) presided, and among those also present were Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), Messrs J. P. Frith (ex-headmaster), T. R. Oresswell (headmaster), W. H. Denton (a member of the board). The proceedings opened with the singing by the hoys of “Ruie, Britannia" and 1 ‘Gaudeamus Igitur." A piano solo was contributed by G. I. Joseph; vocal solos by W. Cooley an:l K. Small; and an instrumental quartette by Mullins, Darling, Martinetti and Tanner, Mr McCaw acting as accompanist and conductor.

CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH “COLLEGE’S SPLENDID RECORD.’’ Theichairman apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.). Mr T. Forsyth, and Mr W. H. P. Barber (members of the Board of Governors), whom important engagements detained elsewhere. They wi-re very pleased, he said to have Sir Robert Stout to present the prizes and to address the gathering. It was many years since Sir Robert Stout had actively participated in educational work: but right through his career as a member of Parliament, a Minister of the Crown, and Chief Justice, ho had always taken a great interest in education, while as Chancellor of the New Zealand University he had played a great pait for many years. Mr Ward regretted that Sir Robert had now severed his connection with the University over which he had presided so long. (Applause.) He referred to the fact that the edict had now gone forth that Boards of Governors of public schools would no longer be allowed to spend their money in prizes. There was a division of opinion as to the value of prizes. Some thought that they afforded a great stimulus to effort; while others held that the cf fort should be its own reward. For the future in any case, if prizes were to be given, it must be as the outcome of private generosity The governors wished to convey to Mr Cresswell and his staff their appreciation of the great work they had accomplished during the year • and to congratulate them upon maintaining the college in tho high position it had held for so many years past—that of one of tho premier colleges among the colleges of the Dominion. He congratulated them especially on the fact that at the last scholarship examinations the college had eclipsed all previous examinations. lie expressed the pleasure and gratitude of the board at the fact that a start had now been made with rebuilding the college, and that the first of the set of new buildings the college required was well on the way to completion —the boardinghouse at the southern end of the grounds, which, at the suggestion of Mr Oresswell, was to be called “Firth House”—though the actual opening might have to he postponed till the end of the first term of next year. In the not distant future they would have a building worthy of the college and the city; and he thought that it would constitute a fitting memorial of the great work that Mr Firth had done for the college. (Applause.) It was quite clear also that tire Government would have to face the question of the reconstruction of the present college, which, it was admitted, was becoming unsafe and could last only a very few years longer. A new sports pavilion .was also being built as the result of the generosity of the old boya, and the school’s beautiful site would soon be covered with buildings worthy of it. (Applause.)

HEADMASTER’S REPORT “A NOTABLE YEAR.” In his annual report, Mr Ciesswcll said that the past year had been a notable one in many ’ respects from the scholastic point of view. In the scholarship examinations Wellington College had done very well indeed, taking six University , entrance scholarships, and sixteen senior and junior national scholarships. J. W. Harding had come first in New Zealand in the University scholarship examinations; while F. M. Fry and E. P. Rawlings were bracketed equal firsts in the Wellington district for the senior national scholarships. In the Matriculation Examinations 100 boys had obtained either complete or partial passes; three boys had Becured partial passes in the accountants’ preliminary examination; 268 had got senior free places either by recommendation or examination; 15 had passed the public service entrance examination, G. R. A. Norton being first in the Wellington district; and 28 boys had had junior free places extended for a further year on the recommendation of the inspector. But perhaps the most important activities of the college were not reflected in tho examination results; and they had a number of clubs and societies attached t« the college, all of which were doing very good work. He referred briefly to the prowess of the college in cricket, football, and other sports. The hoys had won a considerable number of medals of the Roynl Humane Society. The Cadet Corps was a live institution as they all .knew, and 102 boys had fained non-commiseioned officers’ certicates; while Wellington College had also won the “Weekly Press” Challenge Shield for shooting, open to all boys under 16. He hoped that the new observatory would be open within the next two or three months. He considered it a great dishonour that the Bible was excluded from our New Zealand schools; but at the college those in charge of the Bible classes were doing their best to remedy what he thought was a serious defect in our educational system. (Applause)

SIR ROBERT STOUT’S ADDRESS

WHAT MAKES A NATION GREAT. Sir Robert Stout then presented the prizes. Afterwards addressing the boys, the Chief Justice recalled the first prize-giving he attended in New Zealand, fifty-nine years ago on Monday next. It was a grammar school, and there were only SO boy 6 in the school; and the then dux of the school and other prize-winners had since done well for themselves and for New Zealand, The population of the Dominion was now eight times what it was then, future of thit great country de-

pended upon the boys and girls of the Dominion. They should strive to live up to the great name that our New Zealand soldiers had won for their country all over the world during the ‘war. The Frenob said that no better men had. ever fought by their eide than the New Zealanders, and the head chaplain of the Scottish forces 6aid that, so far as the Now Zealanders were concerned, their conduct was ever above reproach, and he knew of no soldiers during the whole war who had excelled them in the whole of their conduct and in the very strenuous efforts they made on behalf of their country. If New Zealand was to be great, it could only be great, not by its riches, but by what Aristotle would have called its virtues. It was the conduct of a nation that made a nation great. That great truth they should always bear in mind, and take as their guide through life. (Loud applause.) The boys then 6ang “Play Tip” with great spirit. At the call of the “dux” (G. A. Peddie) three hearty cheers were given for Sir Robert Stout, also for the Board of Governors, the headmaster and his staff, Mr J. P. Firth, the “old boys,” etc., and a verse of the National Anthem closed the proceedings.

THE PRIZE LIST SCHOLARSHIPS. James Mackay bursary (,£45), G. A. Peddie. Rhodes scholarships (JBIO each), T. M. Smith and R. W. Osborn. Moore scholarships (JEIO each), N. T. Gillespie and A. K. Hamilton. Walter Turnbull scholarships—Mathmatics and science (JE10), T. P. Rollings; general work, Vlb. (JES), E. L. Howe; general work, Va. (£o), E. E. Hendrikeen; general work, Sp. V. (£5), G. S. J. Read. W. H. Levin Scholarships—Languages, IVa. (£4), R. O. R. Olarke; science, IVa (.£4), H. W. Osborn. W. R. Richardson Scholarship—Second year history and book-keeping, C. E. Shorter and N. J. Windsor. SPECIAL PRIZES. Head of school, G. A. Peddie. Barnicoat memorial, L. D. Webster, 1; E. H. McCormick, 2; D. W. McKenzie, 3. Cocks memorial, F. J. Foot. Liverton science, F. M. Simyth. Mr Gifford’s special prize, G. S. J. Read. Liverton history, not awarded. Foster Crouch memorial prizes, Ilia., O. L. Eato.i, 1; A. H. Benge, 2. Mb., G. Watt, 1; H. Boggard, 2. Illc., R. W. Archer, 1; G. I. Josephs. 2. Mod, Ilia., P. A. McWhannell. ' A. B. Withers memorial prize—Science IVb., G. W. A. Matthewson. Bethune History prizes -Senior, A. H. Mclrer; junior, A. H. Benge. Old Boys’ mathematic prize (Via), G. A. Peddie. S. Eichelbaum’s literature prize—Sp. V. A. H. Mclver; Via., D. W. McKenzie. Navy League essays—D. W. McKenzie. 1; F. M. Hanan, 2; E. H. McCormick, 8; F. J. Foot, 4. Godfrey Hyams prize Mathematics, Vlb., F. H. Mullins. Wyville Rutherford prize (all round boy), F. M- Hanan. Mrs Hale's music prize, L. Parton. Leonard Clive Hale's music prize, H. W. Thompson. Everett Clive Hale’s (all round sport), £l. C. Bailey. Ethelbert Dunlop Hale’s prize (reading) —Senior, R.. G. Whitehead, 1; N. N. Gard’ner, 2; junior, not awarded. Norman St Clair Hale’s (recitation) — Senior. A. A. O. Grant; junior, A. M. Carroll. Natural Science Society prize, A. M. W. Greig. Debating—Senior, ,F. M. Hanan and A.. M. W. Greig: Junior, G. I. Josephs, 1: J. N. Kirk. 2. Impromptu speaking, W. B. Sutch. Shorthand—Senior, T. Montgomery; junior, D. Laurenson. Mrs Cresswell’s Scripture prizes, A. M. W. Greig, 1; R. Clark, 2; H. Chapman, 8; J. S. Withers, 4; J. W. Worboys, 5. Sefton Adams Memorial Prize, E. H. McCormick. Camera Club’s prize (photography), E. H. W. Gifford. French Club certificates (oral French) — Division 1., A. C. Keys (2nd prize), W. Cooper and E. Daniels; Division 11., D. Gold and M. Greig. Wireless Club’s prize (home-made apparatus), K. Porter, l; F. W. White, 2. Wireless Exam., N. N. Gard’ner, 1. FORM PRIZES. Via.—English, G. A. Peddie; Latin and French, A. C. Keys; science, T. M. Smith. Vlb.—English, E. H. McCormick; Latin and French, W. G. Cooper and F. L. Ilowe; science, T. P. Rollings. SP. V.—English, E. Hendriksen; Latin and French, M. T. Greig; mathematics and science, E. Hendriksen. Va.—English, K. J. McConchie; Latin and French, W. J. Fisk; mathematics and science, R. Porter. Vb.—English, K. O. Stephens; Latin and French, G. W. Stace; mathematics and science, G. I. McCallum. Vc. —English, G. H. Heal; Latin and French, G. P. Cachemaille; mathematics and science. M. 0. Russell. - Vd.—English, R. B. Castle; Latin and French, C. G. Collins; mathematics and science, G. E. Cox. Ve.—English, G. J. Hallewell; Latin and French, A. R. Grixnwood; mathematics and science, G. J. Hallewell. Mod. V.—English, T. Montgomery; French and bookkeeping, T. Montgomery ; mathematics and science, G. H. Denton. V. Remove.—English, K. R. Thomas; Latin and French, A. L. Hunter; mathematics and science, B. Makin. IVa.—English, H. W. Rowden; Latin and French, R. O. R. Clarko; mathematics and science, H. W Osborn. IVb.—English, G. W. Matthewson; Latin and French, H. W. Dowling; mathematics, F. B. Tait. IVc.—English, W. H. Carlson and S. J. Wood; Latin and Frendh, EL C. Curtis , mathematics and science, S. C. Burns. IVd.-English, C. E. J. S. Fry; Latin and French, L. H. Muir; mathematics and science, F. S. Hardgrave. Mod. IVa.—English, C. E. Shorter; French and bookkeeping, 0. EL. Shorter; mathematics and science, A. L. Wilkinson. Mod. IVb.—English, N. J. Windsor; French and bookkeeping. N. J. Windsor; mathematics and scienoe, R. Allen. Mod. IVc.—English. N. B. Fuller and E. G. Pickott; French and bookkeeping, K. C. Harniss; mathematics and scienoe, M. K. Archibald. Ma.—English, O. L. Eaton; Latin and French, O. L. Eaton and W. H. Pickering; mathematics and science, 0. L. Eaton. IHb.—English, I. Groome; Latin and French, I. H inter; mathemntics and science, J. J. Warring Me.—English. G I. Joseph; Latin and French, I. F. G. Watkins and, R. W. ‘Archer; mathematics and science, A. Ki Neilson. Illd.—English. J. K. Logan; Latin and French, F. B. Shorland and F. B. Sewell; mathematics and science, C. C. F. Smith. Me. —English. .T. A. Carrad; Latin and French, C. L. Mapp; mathematics and science, J. A. Hankins and J. W, Burgess. Mod. Ilia. —English, S. A. Norris; French and bookkeeping, T. F. Brough and A. F. Peterson; mathematics and science, T. P. Barton. Mod. llTb.—English. C. T. Sando and L. G. Radford; French and bookkeeping, 0. T. Sando; mathematics and science, C. T. Sando and L. C. Radford. Mod. lllc.—English. K. J. Stitt; French amt. bookkeeping, J. C. Steel: mathematics and science, E. E. Moult.