OTAGO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21828, 15 December 1932, Page 10

OTAGO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

ANNUAL PRIZE-GIVING ADDRESS BY GOVERNORGENERAL The annual prize-giving ceremony of the Otago Boys’ High School was held last evening in the Town Hall, which was well filled by a large attendance of parents and friends. Or Ct. E. ihompbon, chairman of the Board of Governors, presided, and the gathering was distinguished by the presence of their Excellencies the Governor-General (Eord Bledisloe) and Lady Bledisloc. On arrival at the hall their Excellencies wore received by Dr Thompson and the rector (Mr W. J. Morrell), and after the guard of honour under Major vV att had been inspected by bis Excellency, their Excellencies were conducted by way of the main aisle to the platform, where Lady Bledisloe was presented with a bouquet on behalf of the boys ot the school. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS.

On behalf of the pupils, parents, and friends present, Dr Thompson extended a cordial welcome to their Excellencies, and said that the presence of the official delegate of the King made them realise what the practice of Empire was, behind the theory of it.. In the short time their Excellencies bad been in New Zealand they had shown that they realised what unify of Empire meant by the manner in which they had made themselves at home in the Dominion, and when they left these entires he hoped their hearts would During the past year the High School Board of Governors had been in danger of dying an unnatural death, and no one knew what the future held in store, but it the members of the Cabinet could be regarded as gods, then on their laps rested the future of the board. Ibe board, m conjunction with other boards in the minion, had done its best to extend its lease of life, but if the worst came to the worst, and the ■constitution and functions of the board were interfered with, then came the opportunity for the Old Hoys Society to step into the breach. It the board became a sub-committee ot some wider unit, then the traditions and prestige worked up in two generations ot pupils and ex-pupils would be to some extent damaged, but with the Old Boys Society to look after their interests they need have no fear. Not only was the board in danger, but the economy proposals now before Parliament might or might not have a deleterious effect on secondary education in the Dominion. It therefore behoved everyone with am interest in Hie great old school to maintain to the. utmost of his endeavour the spirit that had always characterised it.

, address by his excellency. His Excellency, who, on rising to speak, Was greeted \vith rousing applause, hrst tendered his cordial thanks for the reception accorded him both in his representative capacity and in that of a more personal character. He fully realised—as he had every reason for realising -the steadfast loyalty of Dunedin and the province of Otago towards his Gracious Majesty the Kim* and the British Empire, and he took the opportunity of reminding the boys that his Majesty was not merely a link of Empire apart from the common history traditions and systems of law and ideals, but the most loved of all the remaining monarchs of the world. (Ap* plause.) They should take pride in Lie fact that they had sprung, most of them, from the British race, which had always pointed the way to progress and high ideals among the nations or the world and which, he ventured to say, stood at the present time higher than ever in the estimation of the peoples of the world, ihe events of the past few mouths—indeed of the past few days—had aroused the wellfounded admiration of the world. He referred, in particular, to the remarkable manner in which the great British nation, in its hour of trial, had shown solidarity in avoiding national bankruptcy, and, furthermore, had set an example in advocating disarmament as a means towards world peace, while her sacrifice almost to the limits of national security had evoked the admiration of all other nations. As one of the oldest educational institutions in the Dominion, continued his Excellency, the O'tago Boys’ High School had already been able to build up its own traditions, and in many walks of public life all over the world there were men of ■whom, as alumni of the old school, the scholars had every reason to be proud. There were that fine old statesman, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, the Minister of Finance, (Mr Downie Stewart), the chancellor of the University of Otago (Sir Thomas gidey), and last but not least, the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sir Charles Statham). He was anxious also to see on the platform another old boy of the school, Mr G. M. Thomson, who was one of the greatest naturalists in the British Empire. The doings of men such as these should be a great stimulus to, the boys'to maintain the prestige of their school and emulate their public spirit and successful vocational activities. Although the rector (Mr Morrell) had Ibis year completed a-qu'arter of a century as academic head of the school, he appeared to he looking younger than over, and lie had to confess that his propinquity that evening to such a distinguished Balliol scholar filled him with a certain measure of apprehension.

Referring to free secondary education, his Excellency said that the boys enjoyed in this respect a privilege which young men in the Old Country enjoyed only to a partial extent, and so far as the great public schools were concerned did not receive unless through the medium of scholarships. He mentioned this particularly because New Zealand was at present' passing through a grave financial crisis that had descended on her through no fault of her own, and had brought into existence various schemes of economy, one of which materially affected the staffing of secondary schools. It was, an opportune moment to remind his hearers of the enormous debt they owed to the community at large who had made sacrifices in good times and still greater sacrifices in depressed times, to do more than had been done in any other part of the Empire, to see that the young people got a good sound education. As proof of this, New Zealand could claim to have a higher average standard of education than any other country under the British flag. Let nil of those who enjoyed education for which their parents were not paying take to heart the saying, “freely ye have received, freely give.' The question arose, "'What had they to give? ” There was a strong Old Boys’ Association, and it was up to this body to do what it could to see that no financial stress seriously hampered the success of the old school. The, boys bad sturdy physique, intellectual vigour, and an enormous opportunity of giving public service in days to come. Some of them might deplore the lack of employment after they loft school, but bo begged of them to use their best endeavours not to be idle, tor there was no worse investment on the part of the State than to have young men and women lying physically and mentally fallow after leaving school. His Excellency went on to tell his audience how he had recently presided, for the third lime, on the committee tor the selection of Rhodes scholars. On this occasion no scholarship was granted, although one would have been awarded to an Otago man (Mr Strung) but for the fact that he would have been 215 years of age before reaching Oxford, which debarred him under the old rule which laid flown that a Rhodes scholar must not have passed, his twenty-third year before commencing his studies at that university. The rule had since been altered, but as alt the colleges had sent forward candidates under the old rule, the committee could not in fairness make an award to Mr Strang. Apart from Mr Strang, the members of the committee could not convince themselves that any of the other candidates would have satisfied the requirements of that great patriot and imperialist Cecil Rhodes, who wanted young men of vigorous intellect, who had reached a high standard of attainment at school and °at university, and who were determined to do their part for the good of country and Empire. One Rhodes scholar from Otago (Mr Henley), had, before he left Oxford, won golden opinions. He had heard three months previously, said the speaker, from the warden of New College, who stated that Mr Henley liad been elected president of (be junior common room, and that there*,bad never been a more popular and efficient president than he. Moreover, he said that

Mr Henley had made New Zealanders popular in the college, and asked the speaker if he had any more Henleys in New Zealand to send them along. If fie were asked to speak from a text that evening, said his Excellency, he would take as his subject a statement by M. Harriot, who bad been qupted in the morning paper as having said that he wished to act unitedly with Britain, which had shown admirable loyally, uprightness, and confidence. He had made the following statement: —“Britain, on all subjects, but particularly on money matters, is irreproachably upright.’ Loyalty and uprightness were both qualities that were very distinctive of the British race, and both were more calculated to carry the Empire through its troubles than any others. “Be sincere and straight i n all yon think, say or do, - ’ the speaker adjured the boys. “Always play a straight but, and never be oilside. Yon also, however, owe other loyalties—to your parents who have sacrificed so much for you, and to your school and the staff. Be particularly careful to uphold its honour, and live out your lives according to ’the principles inculcated within its walls. Above all, be loyal to yourselves—your best selves, and not that part of you that tends to drag yon down and not hold yon up. _ And remember, whatever be your walk in life, for goodness’ sake bo thorough.”

Were they, asked the speaker, going to justify their training by keeping themselves mentally and physically in alert and vigorous condition? He was sure they were. Unfortunately there was being spread about at the present time a fearful lot of rubbish in the form of third-rate literature and a good deal in the shape of kincnia films, and most of it was not only rubbish, but unwholesome rubbish. A publisher or a film producer, asked why this should be, would reply that be was carrying on a business and that be bad to supply a demand, but unfortunately everyoup was subject to human frailty ami temptation when the mind was not occupied, and there was, therefore, a great danger of the moral standard of the nation being lowered if the wrong type of demand were supplied. In conclusion his Excellency issued a warning to the boys not to become intellectual or vocational obsessionists and follow in one groove without cultivating a bobby. They should try to be adaptable and to bear in mind that if they had some alternative to their every-day vocation, this might become a source of great profit as well as comfort to themselves. “ But for goodness’ sake be careful,” said the speaker in a final word, “ not to adopt an air of superiority to those who have bad a loss complete education than yourselves. Because you are specially favoured, be specially tolerant, helpful, and sympathetic to those who have not had tlic advantages that you have.”—(Applause.) DUX HONOURED. His Excellency, at the close of his address, distributed the prizes, and handed over the dux medal to the dux for 1032, Neil George Robertson, who was accorded a rousing haka by his schoolfellows. In congratulating Robertson bis Excellency said that he had been chosen as dux or leader among his school-fellows, and it was to be hoped that in any walk of life in which he might pass in days to come, he might continue to enjoy the position of leadership. . Robertson, who went from the St. Clair School to the Boys’ High School five years ago, has, in addition to his _ scholastic successes, taken a considerable interest in the other activities of the school. He was this year champion rifle shot of the school, a prefect, and musketry sergeantmajor, as well as being secretary of the School Music Club. VOTES OF THANKS.

Votes of thanks to the Board of Governors and the rector and the staff, proposed by Mr E. R. Smith, were carried by acclamation, and the gathering was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. The following is the prize list: — The following is the prize list: DUX OF SCHOOL. Neil George Robertson (Board of Governors’ gold medal and Dux Association’s book prize). SPECIAL PRIZES. Gymnastics. —Senior challenge cup: Gibbs, R. G. (the late Mr G. H. Turton and medal). Junior challenge cup: Wilson, Maurice (Southland Old Boys and medal).

Swimming.—Senior challenge shield: Jarvis, W. J. (Robertson Memorial Cup and medal). Junior challenge cup: Simkin. E. R, (Auckland Old Boys and medal). . _ . Boxing. —School championship: Leeden, A. J. (Mr R. G. Hudson’s medal), list and under; Georgeson, D. S. (Denniston Memorial Prize). lOst and under: Kichan, J. H. (Bogi'd of Governors). 9st and under: Buckley, L. E. Cadet Prizes (Drill) —Challenge shield for most efficient platoon: No. 13 Platoon (i) Company), Senior-sergeant K. A. Skinner, Sergeant A. C. Halligau. Challenge bowl and medal for most efficient n.c.0.: C.S.M. C. I. C. Scolay. Sergeants prize and challenge cup: Sergeant Ik B. Aldridge and Sergeant R. D. A. Kirk. Corporals’ prize: Corporal J H. King. Buglers’ prizes: Seniors, Sergeant R. W. T. Whittington; intermediate, Bugler E. G B. Lilly; juniors, Bugler J. P. Murdoch. Drummers’ prize: Drummer A. A. M'Coll. Maxim gnu section; Corporal J. N. Macassey. Artillery section prizes: A Sub-section, Sergeant J. S. Rhodes; sergeants’ prize. Sergeant J. Rhodes; gunners’ prize, Bombardier F. G. Edgar; signallers, Bombardier K. K. M’Culloch; riding, Bombardier L. H. MT’arlanc; gunlaying, Lance-bombardier L. J. Joel; recruit gunners, Gunner V. D, Gain. Cadet Prizes (Shooting).—Challenge enp and Hislop Trophy: Sergeant-major N. G. Robertson. Junior challenge cup: Qiinrtorm.v’tcr-srrgeaiit J. s . Moodie. Old boys’ match: Old Boy--’ team. President W. Bannerman (1873); Present Boys team, Cadet G. R. Colston. Gunner C. A. M'Nish. Company challenge tups: Seniors, Cadet W. J. Morrison, Corporal D. W. Rutherford; juniors, Cadet L. J. Francis, Quartermaster-sergeant J. 1 1 . Moodie. Athletics. —Challenge cup and prize: Thompson, A. S. Junior challenge enp and prize: Forrester, C. M. Challenge shield' for Relay Race: Ve Form. Stuart Hawthorne Shield for Junior Relay: ivb Form. Form championship banner: 'Modern Vn Half-mile challenge enp: M’Eean, A. A. N: Riiddininn, ’l’. S. Cross-country Race; M’Lcan, A. A. N. Football.— Challenge enp and prize: Manning, J. W. Association I*nothnll. ( luil icnjjo cup and medal: Ruddimaii, I . S. Hockey.--Most improved player: Unborn. E. R. Fives. —Upon Singles; Ryan. I. J. Junior Singles: Simpson, J. J. SPECIAL SCHOOL PRIZES.

Cood Work. —Seniors: Falck, G. B.; Prichard, E. M. (Mr F. B. Adams ami Stuthain Memorial prize). Filth Forms: Farrell, X. V.: Turley. G. E. Lower Fifths: Aitken, V. R.: Looker, H. J. J. Second year: Dick, E. T.; Laverty, J. JL; Mahoney, R. G. (Lee Smith prizes). First year: Lewis, E, J.; Brookes. N. Stewart. J. D. . Drawing.—Seniors: Miieonie. R. I. (Otago Art Society). Modern V; Moodie, A. W. Lower Modern V: Hardy, K. 1 1 . Modern IV: Andrew's, C. O. Modern III: Bathgate, J. L. _ Writing.—Senior: Kirk, R. U. A. Junior; M’Adam, K. L. hirst joar: Chandler, I. M. Reading'.— Moller, H. E. (Dunedin Shakespeare Club).

Debating.—Senior, Duncan, E. B Junior, M’Kenzie, R. S. English Essay: Simkin, C. G. F. (Morrow Memorial prize). „ __ Oral French: Howell, C. H. N. (Dunedin French Club, second Otago secondary schools). ATHENAEUM PRIZES.

VI: Angus, G. C. M. Upper \ : Miller, G. S. V: Rliodcs, G. S. Modern V; Smith, R. H. Lower V: Colvin, E. W. Lower Modern V: Morrison, E. J. IV: Rosevear, W. J.; Findlay, Charles. Modem IV: Brownlie, Alexander; Simian. E. R. HI: Miller, J. S.; Chandler, 1. M. Modern HI; Graham, C. J. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRIZES. Senior: Davidson, W. G., Middle School: Anderson, R. S. Junior: Keul, '*■ FORM PRIZES.

English.—Vl; Angus, G. C. M. (Fergus Memorial prize). Upper Va: Moller, H. E (Alexander Wilson prize). upper Vb: Stuart, A. G. (Alexander Wilson prize). Va: Rhodes, J. S. (George H. Stewart prize). Vb: Hamilton, P. H. G. (George 11. Stewart prize). Ve. Stent, E.J. (George H. Stewart prize). Modern Va; McDonald, T. F. Modern Vb: Smith, R H. Lower Va; Colvin, E. W. Lower Vb: Davidson, H. A. C. Lower Modern Va: Laing, Leslie; and Morrison, W. J. (Robertson prize). Lower Modern Vb: Morrison, E. J. Lower Modern Vc: Jackson, G. F. IVa; Rosevear, W. J. VV. (Dux Association). IVb: Brown, W. J. (Jubilee Memorial prize). LVc: Taylor, S. R.; and Nelson, M. K. IVd: Find ay, Charles. Modern IVa: Brownlie, Alexander. Modern IVb: Sirakin, E. R. Modern IVc: Smith, Robert. Ilia: Miller, J. S. (Dux Association). Illb: M'Gregor. D. S.; and Colvin, N. M. IIIc: Chandler, I. M. Hid: Scott, J. R. Modern Ilia: Reid, K. W. Modern Illb: Graham, C. J. Modern IIIc: Rutherford, Latin. —VI: Robertson, N. G. (dux); MLean, I. R. (Campbell and Hawthorne prizes). Upper Va: Miller, G. S. Upper Vb: Davidson, C. H.; and Stuart, A. G. Va: M'Keclmie, R. D. [Jubilee Memorial prize). Vb: Moodie, J. F.: Ve: Skinner, K. A. Lower Va; Anderson, VV. L. Lower Vb: Hanna J. F. IVa: Geermg, L G. (Dux Association). IVb: Brown, W. J. IVc: Hanna, A. R. IVd: Harrawav, N. C. Ilia: Dalziel, E. R. Illb: Holy, E. E. IIIc: M‘Lay, A. F. Hid: Dixon, J. T. . French. —Robertson, N. G. (dux); M‘Lcan, I. R. (Sir John Sinclair). Upper Va: Moller, H. E. (Dunedin French Club’s prize). Upper Vb: Davidson, G. H. (Alex. Wilson prize). Va: Rhodes, J. S. (Jubilee Memorial prize). Vb: Mathewson, J. A. Vc: Skinner, K. A. Modern Va; Ryan, T. P. (Jubilee Memorial prize). Modern Vb: Mitchell, J. MF. Lower Va: Colston, G. R. Lower Vb: Gibbs, R. 0. Lower Modern Va: MTvay, A. S. Lower Modern Vb: M'Bain, J. A. Lower Modern Vc: M'Coll, A. A. IVa; Geering, L. G. (Oux Association). IVb; Highet, J. M. A. IVc: Hanna, A, R. IVd: Harr away, N. C. Modern IVa: Chrisp, E. W. Modern IVb: Simkm. E. R. Modern IVc: Hall, J. O. Ilia: Dalziel, E. 11. (Dux Association). Illb: Hanley, W. E. IIIc: Cox, L. W. Hid: Dixon, J. T. Modern Ilia: Creighton, T. R. Modern Illb: Graham, C. J. Modern IIIc: Collings, B. F. Mathematics—Vl: Robertson, N. G. (dux), Rayner, A. A. (Brent Memorial prize); Upper Va: Aldridge, P. B. (George H. Stewart prize). Upper Vb: Nelson, A. N. (George H. Stewart prize). Va: Anderson, R. S.; Scales, S. P. (George H. Stewart prize). Vb: Scott, W. R. (Jubilee Memorial prize). Vc: Skinner. K. A. Modern Va:. M'Donald, T. F. (George H. Stewart prize). Modern Vb: Mackenzie, J. N. Lower va: Halligan, A. C. Lower Vb: Johnson, R. M. Lower Modern Va: M'Kay, A. S. (Robertson prize). Lower Modern Vb: Anderson, D. P. Lower Modern Vc: Jarvis, D. J. IVa: Geering, L. G. (Dux Association). IVb: Cumberbeach, D. S. IVc: Taylor, S. R., and Jenkins, Thomas. IVd; Scott, L. I; Modern IVa: Warburton, J.. IV. Modern IVb: Davidson, J. ]). A. Modern IVc: Morrison, J. R. Ilia: Marshall, N. G. (Dux Association). Illb; Parkinson. W. P. H. IIIc: Porter, W. R. Hid: Johnston, G. J. Modern Ilia: Cookson, J. G. Modern Illb: Gregory. K. H. Modern IIIc; Collings. B. F. Science. VI: Angus, G. C. M. (proximo accessit to dux. Dr Thomas Mill’s medal). Upper Va: Moller, H. E. (Mr J. J. Clark). Upper Vb; Scollay, C. I. C. (J. J. Clark). Va: Dales, P. A. M. (Brugh Memorial prize). Vb: Coombs, J. S. (Fulton Memorial prize).. Vc: Gillespie, B. E. (Fulton Memorial prize). Modern Va: Valentine, A. E. (Jubilee Memorial prize). Modern Vb; Bathgate, G. R., and Tyne, H. J. Lower Va: Wallace, J. B. Lower Vb: Hutton, G. P. H., and Johnson, R. M. Lower Modern Va: Freeman, K. M. Lower Modern vb: Wilson, L. G. H. Lower Modern Vc: M'Cqll, A. A. IVa: Geering, L. G. (Dux Association). IVb; Cumberbeach, D. S. IVc: Austin. Frank. IVd: Scott, L. I. Modern IVa: Warburton, J. W. Modem IVb: Thomson, T. J. Modern IVc: Mark, Bruce. Ilia; Campbell, D. H. Illb: Parkinson, W. P. H. IIIc: Cox, L. W. Hid: Johnston, G. J. Modern Ilia: Cookson, J. G. Modern Illb: Graham, C. J. Modem IIIc: Blampied, A. T. Commercial. —Modern \a: Ryan, T. P. (Mrs D. Baxter, David Baxter Memorial Bursary). Modern Vb: Cameron, W. L. Lower'Modern Va; M'Kenzie. J. A. A. Lower Modern Vb: Wilson, H. J., and Scott, W. R. Lower Modern Vc; Hanna, A. P. Modern IVa: Chrisp, E. W. Modern IVb: Neill. J. A. Modern IVc: Johnson, H. P. Modern Ilia: Donaldson. J. W. Modern Illb: Graham, C. J. Modern IIIc: Collings, B. F.