THE BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14715, 24 December 1909, Page 9

THE BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Sir,—l notice a letter from "Old Boy of Otago High Sclwol" in to-day's Times in reference to the reunion of Mr Simmons's ox-High School boys on February 4. In spile of the 110 mdo plume the writer is ousily recognised. We nil admire his enthusiasm in connection with the school. Vt'c cannot help thinking, however, that it has been on wrong lines, as' witness tlio failure to attract tho "early settlors" to the various functions in the past. One cause of this failure was that, with tho exception of the smoke concert lately held, all of these functions have been dominated by outsidors, who gave the addresses of the evening. This is not a proper- school function, Old boys and masters and present masters arc the only persons who should bo present at these functions. There are hundreds of them perfectly qualified by their position in life to do'all the speechmaking necessary without calling in the aid of outside "prominent citizens." Keep those functions strictly as I have mentioned and the interest in-them will soon be revived. _ Also, keep tbj annual gatherings to social and homely reunions, and not havo "swell", dinners. Wo are not in England, but in democratic New Zealand, and all of the old boys do nqt possess dress suits. Wo have alterod tho designation of our reunion, and now call it "Simmons's ex-High School Boys' Social Reunion," &o as to leave it open to havo a reunion cf alUwlio attended the old school— to what is thero to complain about? Out of 140 circulars sent out to ail parts of Now Zealand, there arc already 60 acceptances, and now that our success is «o apparent wo are again asked to tako in those who have admittedly , failed in making- the past functions attractive enough to secure tho attendance of - the "early settlers." Now, whv docs no! "Old Boy of Otago High School" approach ts directly and arrange to havo a. general reunion on Saturday evening, sth February? We, the "early settlers," though now all wdl up in yen re. will no doubt bo quite ablo to attend tho twu (unctions, and 1 think I may speak for the majority anil ea.y they will,do so'. lam sure our ?ommitteo will eis-operate in every way necessary. It has been admitted by one of the later old boys that lis mooted the idea of a function in tlia old school to some of his confreres, but the idea did not seem to ''catch on." Now, how different. Mr Simmons's old lioys have taken up tlio idea. When it was first mooted many at once informed tho hon. secretary that they would gladly be responsible for monetary assistance—tome to the extent of £10 each Tk.y thought that wo could hardly expect' to get moro than 30 of the " early settlers," and they wanted the reunion, to b:> do-no properly. This was a very fine assuiwnco to go on. It 'is only the scattered nature of our colony that prevent* the attendance of almost tho whole of our OOTlingcut. To conclude, I cannot do bettor than quota from a letter from one woo is compelled to decline »n account of dislanco. This old boy has occupied seme very high positions- in the colony.—"! sincerely thank you for your invitation ; distant'? alone prevents my accepting it. Your letter has made me think of many a name and adventures of various forts at tho old scho-jl. 1 have no doubt, a jolly reunion will lake p:a.ce. All I can do is to toast you ell on the eve of the Ith February, and that I mill do in a bumper." Our reunion, is locked upon by ou» old boys us n call from tho distant past, and has revived memories no general reunion would ever have done- I trust that ' Old Boy of' Otago High School" will take- up my suggestion regarding a general reunion on stii February, and I am'certain he can rely on cur co-opc:-ation in making this a success also.—l am, etc., Dccembor 21. Oil) Eot of 1E65.