TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 17

TECHNICAL COLLEGE

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS EX-PUPILS FORGATHER MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED Pupils of the King Edward Technical College from as far back as 1878 gathered in the Burt Hall yesterday, when, in continuation of the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the school roll calls were, held, covering the two periods of 18701908 and 1909-1939. Between 60 and 70 people, who were at the college during the first period ..nswered to their names at the first assembly, which took the form of the function held each morning at the start of school. Later in the morning a memorial tablet, commemorating the names of the founders of the college, was unveiled by Sir James Allen, the only living member of the original board of managers. The second roll call in the . afternoon attracted nearly 300 ex-pupils. The Jubilee Ball was held in the evening in the Pioneer Hall and "Muscens," a musical production, by the present pupils of the institution was presented in His Majesty's Theatre. The First Aoll Call The roll call of pupils who were at the college between 1870 and 1908 was naturally not a very large one as the number of early scholars dwindles slowly with the passing of the years. The earliest pupil present was Mr Alexander Hamilton, who attended classes at the School of Art in 1878. whil < Mr F F. Marshall took classes in the early eighties. The evening classes at the college were. commenced in 1889, and there were three. ex-pupils of that year present--Messrs W. Begg, who was one of the first 12 to enrol. Alex Burt and P. Ireland, practically every year from then on was represented by at least one pupil. Those present were welcomed by the chairman of the Board of Managers (Mr J. J. Marlow) and following a reading from Ecclesiasticus, "Let us now Praise Famous Men, and the singim: of the twenty-third Psalm, the ex-pupils were taken on a brief insoection of the school, finally being photographed in groups. Tablet Unveiled Mr Marlow, who briefly addressed those present at the unveiling of the tablet, said that the memorial was something tangible from the jubilee and was something that their descendants could look upon to remind them of the important stage reached in the history of the college. It was fitting that the tablet should be unveiled by Sir James Allen, Who was the only living member .of the original Board of. Managers. He had always taken a keen interest; in the affairs of the college and had its well-being at heart. • "Dunedin can take praise to itself for the fact that it made an effort to bring to life something that is necessary in education," said Sir James Allen, "and we set an example to the rest of New Zealand to carry on the work of technical education which we started. You all know yourselves the advantages .you;have gained from being students of this college, but to the young people present I would like to say that they have a glorious opportunity, if they will only take advantage of what has been prepared.for them at this institution, to obtain from education something that will be of great benefit to them in later years. This is not an easy world we live in to-day, and the knowledge and experience gained here will fit them to carry on in life and to give to those who come after what they themselves have learned;"' Sir James then unveiled the tablet, the inscription on which was as follows: — . ' This .'.. .. ' Commemorative Tablet Honours those Citizens Whose Love for Their Fellows ; Called this College into being, Whose faith upheld it in days of adversity and Whose Service and Counsel Attained for it this Fitting Home. Second Roll Call Nearly 200 ex-pupils attended the second > roll call in the afternoon, covering the years 1909, when day classes were commenced, to 1939. Every year of that period was represented by old pupils.

After photdgrapHs had been taken and the roll called, the present-day scholars sang two songs and certain practical classes of the college were inspected. Dr/R. Gardner, chairman of the Jubilee Committee, welcomed those present. ,