TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 13

TECHNICAL COLLEGE

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE DINNER TRIBUTES TO FOUNDERS Stories and anecdotes of the early days of the King Edward Technical College were told last night at the final function in connection with the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the school, the jubilee dinner. Held in the Pioneer Hall, the dinner provided an excellent opportunity for the speakers to the toasts to indulge in reminiscence, and they took full advantage of it. and many amusing tales of escapades in the old school were brought forth into the light from the dim past. On the more serious side, tributes were paid to the founders of the college, the board of managers, the principals and the members of the staff for the work they had carried out in bringing the institution to its present position of eminence. There were over 300 guests, and the chairman of the Board of Managers (Mr J. J. Marlow) presided. Following the dinner. Mr Marlow briefly welcomed those present, especially the Deputy Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron) and relatives of the founders of the college, and expressed gratification on behalf of the board for the support given by old pupils to the jubilee celebrations. The Founders “The story of education in this province is epic,” said Mr W. R. Brugh. who proposed the toast “ In Memory of the Founders,” “and when'we think of what the early pioneers of this school did in the interests of education we must figuratively take off our hats to them. Only 15 years after the province was founded, the Otago Boys’ High School was opened, in 1869 the University of Otago was commenced, and one yehr later art classes were started under Mr David Con Hutton. Mr Hutton came out to New Zealand equipped not only with high degrees in art, but also with a willingness to carry out his work that was something to marvel at. He laid a foundation that had been worthily continued by Mr Hawcridge and Mr Tovey. In 1888. Mr G. M. Thomson, who was a giant among men, established evening technical classes in Dunedin, and laid the foundation of technical education in the Dominion., To-day it was realised that technical education was a necessity, but in the early days it took a man like Mr Thomson to tell the public that it was needed. He was a humanitarian of the highest degree, and in his work he had associated with him Mr Alexander Burt, who brought a business acumen into his dealings with the college that caused his name to be honoured. Their .work was an inspiration and a lesson to people today. Between them they had raised the standard of education by leaps and bounds, and it had remained at a high level ever since. The men taught In the school in the early days had risen to the highest position in their particular spheres in all parts of the world.”

Mr G. S. Thomson, in reply, said he had been deeply moved by the eloquent tributes to the work of his father, whose work in Dunedin had not been confined to the Technical College. Throughout his life he had been a comparatively poor man, and when, after 31 years as a teacher at the Otago Boys’ High School and 20 years in Parliament, he had retired, he was practically penniless. He had had more than his share of sorrow and difficulties in life, but, when he reached his eightieth birthday he decided, not to sit back, but to write a book—an illustrated manual and catalogue on New. Zealand Crustacea. That book was nearly completed when he died at 85 years of age. Mr Alex Burt, who also, paid a tribute to the work of Mr G. M. Thomson and Mr Hutton, said that he was proud to think that his father, with Mr Thomson had been one of the founders of the college. He believed, however, that the real founders of the institution were the business men of the city who had given liberally of their time and labour to help in its establishment. Mr Gladstone Hutton said he appreciated the honour paid to his father, who, he said, had not had a 40-hour week when he began teaching at the School of Art. Mr Hutton also ,re-' ferred to the help his father had received from Dr Hislop, and Messrs P. G. Pryde and S. M. Park, of the Education Board. An Honoured History Proposing the toast of “ The School,” Mr Cameron conveyed to the ex-pupils of the school the greetings of the City Council. The college, he said, had a very honoured history and as .it stood to-day - the citizens were intensely proud of it. It had honoured founders and esteemed principals, but he ventured to say that the present principal and board would see that it had an even more honoured future. He had been struck, at the jubilee, by the pride of old and present pupils in their college. Mr Cameron paid a tribute to the work of Mr Marlow, who had had a worthy public career and had served the city faithfully and well over a long period. Mr Aldridge, too, had done excellent work and had earned the esteem, goodwill and support of the public and his pupils. When he rose to reply, Mr Aldridge was greeted with prolonged applause and the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow." He could think of no "reater honour, he said, than to be identified for a moment with a school, which, this week, had been so frequently called “ great.” The school did not need explaining or interpreting by an apologist; it spoke to them through the lives of its founders and through its dignity and nobility on the high hill on which it stood. The school was singularly fortunate in being able to have applied to it such statement* as that. Friends of the School The toast of “ Friends of the School" was proposed by Mr A. Thomas, who said that the early history of the school was an earnest endeavour of friends and enthusiasts to fill a great want, and since 1889, when night classes were established it had made remarkable progress. The college had had a somewhat chequered career, but it had come through with banners flying. Much of its achievement was due to the friends of the school, and it was interesting to note that since the opening of the school a sum of over £ 13.000 had been contributed by citizens towards its funds. One citizen alone, the late Mr. T. W. Kempthorne. had given £9OO. He did not think that any other college in New Zealand could claim that achievement. The history of the college told a tale of service to the Dominion, and it had not been without its friends, who, he was sure, would continue to support it in the future.

In reply, Mr P. O. Smellie said that educational institutions in the city had always attracted the support of publicminded citizens, but he thought that the real friends of the college were the pupils who had passed through it and had gone out into the world, equipped with knowledge supplied within its walls. Mr Smellie suggested that the jubilee should not be allowed to be passed without the formation of a society of ex-pupils, which might well be called “ Friends of the School.” Surely all old pupils who owed the school allegiance should maintain Interest in it and help it along. Mr P. G. Connolly said that as a student he appreciated what had been done and what was still being done by friends of the schopl. Because of their early training, ex-pupils had gone out as useful citizens in all walks of life. The other toasts honoured were: — “The Ex-Board and Staff,” proposed by Mr J. Harris and replied to by Mr J. H. F. Hamel and Dr R. Gardner; “Absent Ex-pupils,” proposed by Mr R. G. Pilling; “ Other Schools,” proposed by Mr H, C. Burt, and replied to by Mr O. J. Begg (Otago Boys’ High School), Dr Hansen (Christchurch Technical College) and Mr Magnus Thomson; and “ Old Timers,” proposed

by Mr J. ,W. Smeaton. and replied td by Mr Magnus Johnson. During the evening musical items were given by Misses Dorothy Barron, Jess McMillan and Ngata Buswell, and Messrs A. Walmsley and W. A. Finnic. BOARD OF MANAGERS RECEPTION AT COLLEGE A reception was held at the college yesterday afternoon by the present Board of Managers, when ex-memibers-of the board and staff were entertained at afternoon tea. There was a large attendance. Mr Marlow extended a brief welcome to the visitors, stating that some of the old staff had been teaching before the present school was built. Mr Wallace and Dr Gardner replied on behalf of ex-members of -the board and staff respectively. During the afternoon the visitors were taken ona tour of inspection of the college.