HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21266, 21 February 1931, Page 7

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Otago High School Old Boys’ Society was held last evening in Mr E. S. Wilson’s board room, Mr A. C. Stephens presiding over a good attendance of members. ANNUAL REPORT. Tiie annual report, which was taken as read, stated:— It is now being more fully realised by the old boys that the impression on the boys of our “ old school’s ” great traditions and spirit has been continuously hampered by the lack of grounds and consequent restriction of organisation suffered by the school. Mr John O’Shea suggested at the 1930 “ break-up ” that the Asylum ground should be vested in the school. If this, and any other suitable public ground in the vicinity, were secured to the school for ever something would have been done to overcome this trouble. When we consider that the Wellington College has had 60 acres of the surrounding ground vested in it, and that the high schools throughout New Zealand are practically all similarly supplied with necessary playing areas and ground for extension, we realise how our school has been so seriously neglected and handicapped in this matter. The annual reunion was held in the Savoy Lounge on August 2, when there was a good attendance of old boys, and the function proved very successful. The annual church service was held in the school hall on Sunday, August 3, when there was a large turnout of past and present boys. The committee is highly gratified at the unqualified success of the first annual old boys’ day. This idea was adopted from the old English public schools, and should now become one of the chief outside social events of the year. The attendance of old boys and present pupils w T as larger even than was expected. The old boys present at the annual ball were unanimous in voting it a great success. The old boys ■ are the first to lie honoured with the use of the school hall for such a function since the old “ end of term ” dances and the Christ’s College match ball.

At the break-up a plate presented by the Wellington branch of the 0.8.H.5.0.8. Society, in memory of the late Mr Mungo Watson, was unveiled by Mr J. O’Shea, while an honour plate for masters having served five years or over on the staff was presented by S. Solomon, Esq., 8.A., K.C., and unveiled by the donor. It is with deep regret that the committee has to irefer to the loss suffered by the death of Mr A. A. Finch, one of the original members of committee and a past president of the society, and who at all times took a keen interest in the society’s welfare. _ The committee regrets losing the services of Mr A. T. M'Naughton, who recently left for America, and who will be greatly missed by his fellow committeemen. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the chairman said it was a pleasure to see such a good attendance at the meeting. The secretary had been making an effort to retain the interest of boys leaving the school, and, judging by the number of younger members present, the effort had proved successful. The Old Boys’ Day, which had been instituted during the year, had been a very successful function, and its future seemed to be assured. A satisfactory feature of the year’s work was the excellent financial position in which the society now stood. The time had come now for more sports grounds to be secured for the school, and he hoped steps would be taken to do something in the matter. The motion was seconded by Mr A. J. Gillraan. Mr F. H. Campbell, referring to the need for more sports grounds, said that first of aIT they should endeavour to gain control of their own ground—the old asylum ground. Last year the school had paid £322 for work on the cricket grounds inside the school and on those outside. The schoolboys were not allowed on the grounds without proper footwear, but every evening there were about 20_ or 30 outsiders on the Asylum ground in unsuitable boots. It seemed a shame to go on spending money on maintenance work while that went on. They should make an effort to have that ground vested in the school. Mr E. Webster said the City Council had been approached a few years ago in the matter of new sports grounds, and the society had then been requested to make further application when Logan Park was ready. It was ready now, and the council should be approached again. ■ Mr W, R. Brugh said this was the most important thing the society had had to face for years. Though they had an excellent case to put forward, it would be an extremely difficult thing to get sports grounds on the Town Belt. There was another portion of ground adjacent to the school which he thought might be obtained. Messrs, F. H. Campbell and the president were appointed to assist Mr W. R. Brugh in the work of trying to obtain more sports grounds. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patron, Sir Francis Bell; vice-patrons—Sir Thomas Sidey, Sir Charles Statham, Messrs W. Downie Stewart, J. J. Mallard, and W. J. Morrell; president, Mr J. M. Fraser; vice-presidents—Messrs D. M. Stuart and J. J. Mallard; treasurer, Mr J. A. Calder; committee —Messrs W. R. Brugh, F. H. Campbell, R. W. S. Botting, A. J. Gillman, F. W. M'Elrea, E. Rivers, W. M. Hopkins, L. A. Rhodes, and Drs Fulton and Begg; auditors —Messrs Barr. Burgess, and Stewart. GENERAL. Reference'was made by Mr A. J. Gillman to the unfortunate position in which the Napier Boys’ High School now found itself.—lt was decided to send a letter of sympathy to the authorities.