HIGH SCHOOL JUBILEE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 7

HIGH SCHOOL JUBILEE.

EXHIBITION. OF TROPHIES. UNIQUE DISPLAY. 'I ho historical exhibition shown at ths High School during- the jubiieo celebrations was got together by advertisement, by letters, and by a personal canvass by a number of prominent athletes. Tire various trophies were collected by Dr Fulton, with tho help of Messrs George Proudfoot, Herbert W ebb, W. A. Russell, and Bernard do Laulour. All the exhibits were labelled and placed upon tho walls and desks of the room behind tho hall gallery. They were on view from 1 to 5 on the Monday afternoon, but as tho room was not a largo one only a limited number of persons were able to gain admission. Those who examined tho exhibition spoke very highly of its valuable and interesting nature, and the executive wishes to place on record its thanks to those old boys who so goncrpusly and confidently entrusted to ita care some of their most chenshcd possessions in order that their old comrades should have an opportunity of seeing them during the jubiieo week. To give a little idea of tho varied nature of tho articles shown, reference may bo made to a few that stood out prominently:—A photograph of Mr Alexander Livingstone, head master of the “ first high school,” from 1P56 to 1662; a large display of gold and silver medals in a glass case, including the first gold medal given by the Chamber of Commerce to E. H. Wilmot in the year 1871; the first school roll in tho original (year 1863); the first mathematical examination of the whole school, giving all the marks of the different pupils; examination papers of tho sixties in all subjects, from Greek and mathematics to French ana sacred history; examination papers in German and French indited in Mr John Gow’o exquisite handwriting; a map exquisito'y drawn ar.d painted by Mr R. Morrison in 1871; school reports and prize-lists from the daily papers of tho sixties and sevenths; copies of tho High Flyer and the Buzzer, manuscript papers by the boys before the advent of tho magazine in 1885; and football pictures and photographs too numerous to mention. Among the scores of valuable trophies entrusted to tho committee there were many notable ones. There was the New Zealand championship shooting belt, lent by the present holder (Rifleman .James) and forwarded by the Defence Department. On this belt are the names of two old boy* of the school—Willocks (1376) and E. ii. Smith (1894). Mr William M'Laron’s many trophies for bowiing, including the championship ot Australasia, were also on exhibition. Mr A. 11. Fisher, champion golf player of New Zealand, sent an exhibit, and also Robert Martin, champion hammerthrower of Australasia. There was a splendid show of challenge cups from the Otago Rowing Club, and Mr J. J. Mallard’s great display of 12 cups, as showing his former running powers, a display, however, closely challenged by Dr kStanlcy Batchelor’s fine show. Silver medals won at Henley-on-Thames by Frank Simmons, an Oxford Blue in 1848-1849, and a ladies’ challenge cup won by Leslie Wilson at Ilenloy-on-Taicri in 1898 wore exhibits of more than ordinary interest. Altogether over 200 exhibits wcr< shown. A complete catalogue of tit* trophies, giving the winners’ names and flu dates, will be supplied in the jubiieo niim-i ber of tho High School Magazine. It is unfortunate that the time during which the exhibits could he scon was so short, and that tho light in tho room was such as to make it useless to attempt to secure a photograph of this exhibit of the history of the school as displayed in the many rewards for scholarship and athletic prowess.

CELEBRATIONS IN WELLINGTON. RE-UNION OF OLD BOYS. Quo hundred and thirty old boys of the Otago Boys’ High School assembled in Godber’s Rooms, Wellington, on Monday evening, to celebrate by a dinner the jubilee of the school. The Hon. A. I/. Hcrdman (Attorney-general) presided, and was supported on his right, by the lion. H. I). 8011, Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P.,(Mr J. Mackay (Government Printer), Mr J. Mallard, Mr P. S. K. Macassey, Mr E. Webster, and, on the left, by Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., tho Hon. T. W. llislop (ex-Mayor of Wellington), Mr J. Mackenzie (Survevor-gene-ral). Mr T. J. Park, and Mr J. O’Shea.

In proposing the toast of “ Tho School,” the Chairman said it was like old times to be amongst so many of his old school-fel-lows. lie could seo many gentlemen present whom ho had known since ho had taken up his residence in Wellington, but ho had never realised till that evening that they had been at the Otago Boys’ High School. He was sorry he had been nr.ablo to attend tbo jubilee celebrations in Dunedin. but he was delighted to learn of tho enthusiasm which had characterised the proceedings. This country, lie said, had reached a stage when it was really making history. Fifty years had gone by since the first hoys went to the Otago Boys’ High School, and since then boys had gono through the institution and out into tho world, and in all lands there were men who had made their mark. When tho old people came to Now Zealand they brought with them the thoughts and aspirations which belonged to their forefathers in tho Old Land, and these had been taught to their children. He remarked on the great influence that the public schools in England bad on the race throughout tho world, and said that wherever their pupils had gone they had taken with them tho principles learned by thorn as public school boys. Ho referred to tho fact that even in foreign parts they were leading men, and ho put it down to tho fact that they were taught to despise men who cheated, who were not straight, who were hypocrites. They had learned to play the game, and these wore the men who wore scattered over tho four quarters of tho world and had helped to advance •civilisation. —(Applause.) Mr C. E. Statham, M.P., briefly replied. Other toasts honoured were:—“Old Masters,” proposed by Mr P. S. K. Macaseey, and responded to by Mr G. M. Thomson, M-P. I and “ Boys of the Old Brigade,” proposed by Mr J. O’Shea, and replied to by tho Hon. T. W. llislop and Messrs John Mack ay and John Mackenzie. Tho many pleasing reminiscences recalled by tho speakers wore greeted with applause, and, on occasions, rounds of cheering.

During the proceedings the foliowing contributed songs:—Messrs F. S. Pope, A. R. Kennedy, F. Dauronson E. L. Lees, und J. R. Reid. Throngnout the function was most enthusiastic, and proved of undoubted enjoyment to all present.