TRIBUTES PAID

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27567, 8 December 1950, Page 8

TRIBUTES PAID

Retiring Principal JOHN McGLASHAN COLLEGE “ Mr Conolly has been a fine Christian influence in the college and has left an indelible impression upon the boys who have passed through his hands.” This sentiment, as expressed in a minute of the Board of Governors of John McGlashan' College, was endorsed by all speakers, at the “at home” which was given last night by the hoard in honour of the retiring principal, Mr J. C. Conolly, and Mrs Conolly.. v, • : Mr A. C. Cameron, the chairman of the board, paid a tribute to the work of both Mr and Mrs Conolly. The speaker pointed out the present high standing of the college as an

indication of the value of Mr Conolly’s work. He presented Mr Conolly with a walnut desk and Mrs Conolly with a Royal Crown Derby tea set. School’s Future In reply, Mr Conolly expressed great faith in the school’s future. He thought it was now strong enough to withstand any of the difficulties which a further-world war or economic depression might present. Plans were now being made for the expansion of the college. It was his opinion that private and State schools could exist side by side. The private school occupied an important place in the national system of education for it offered “ a system of education in which religious teaching and Christian principles are regarded as fundamental” and because it gave boarding facilities to those children who might otherwise have lived under the hardships of isolation and similar difficult circumstances. Mr Conolly, however, emphasised the importance of the home’s influence as compared with that of the boarding school, especially on younger children. He consequently urged that boys under the age of 10 years should not be admitted to the boarding school. Other Tributes Other speakers referred to the fine work of Mr and Mrs Conolly. The Very Rev. R. S. Watson, former moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, said the school had been permanently enriched by Mr Conolly’s influence. Miss M. S. Fitzgeral, principal of Otago Girls’ High School, spoke of the co-operation which existed between the various secondary schools in Dunedin. Mr J. Phillips and Mr Murray Sidey, chairmen of the John McGlashan College Association and the Old Collegians’ Association respectively, also paid tribute to Mr Conolly’s work. Mr Ivan Garden, who will succeed Mr Conolly as principal of the college and Mrs Garden, were introduced to the parents, friends and old collegians present. During the evening items were given by Miss Bertha Rawlinson and Mr W. G. Hilliker.