HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS

Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 10

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS

' ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REUNION. There was a large muster of ex-pupils of the Otago Boys’ High School at the Somerset Lounge last week, when the annual reunion of the Otago Boys’ High School Old Boys’ Association was held. The president of the association (Mr J. M. Fraser) was in the chair, and associated with him were the rector of the school (Mr W. J. Morrell), and the ehairman of the High Schools Board of Governors (Mr J. C. Stephens). The chairman read congratulatory telecrams from the New Plymouth and Wellington branches of the association, and also a cablegram from the Loudon branch. ■ The chairman stated that he was pleased to see such a large muster, more especially of the senior old boys. _ He did not wish to appear too pessimistic, but he was afraid that the association did not" re•'ceive the support from the old boys in the city to which it was entitled. The association could only be carried on by enthusiasts, and although many of the foundation members had passed on, there were still a few of the old stalwarts doing their bit towards furthering the aims of the association. Jt was time, however, that the younger members took their place in the work of the association, which was to attend to everything that would help towards the progress of the school. He welcomed the chairman of the board of governors (Mr Stephens) and expressed appreciation of what the board had done for them, and he also extended a welcome to representatives of kindred associations, The dinner this year, he said, was an experiment, and seeing that it was so successful he hoped that there would be double the number at the next function. The fact that the attendance that evening was of sueb proportions proved that they still maintained a keen interest in the old school, to which they all owed so much. — (Applause.) The toast of “ The School ” was proposed by Mr C. M. Gilray; who stated that such a toast could never be adequately dealt with by one speaker. Tire activities of the school were spread over so many years, and there was such a wealth of memories in connection with its progress, the various staffs, the old buildings, and the general associations surrounding the school, that it would be beyond . the powers of one man tn do justice to them. After dealing with some oi the lighter aspects of school

life, instancing the foibles and characteristics of some of the earlier rectors and masters, Mr Gilray stated that they were all quite aware that the Otago Boys’ High School had done more for the community than might have been expected of it- They were aware of the high positions to which many of the ex-pupils of the school had attained throughout the world. When parsing through the memorial gates at the school they would also be impressed by the realisation that when the country required men the school yas not found lacking. In all walks of life the school had done everything that could have been expected of it.

Mr Morrell, in responding to the toast, stated that he need hardly mention what pleasure it gave him to meet such a large representation of old boys of the school, ■lt struck him as a very happy circumstance that the executive of the association had decided to hold a dinner thia year, as that wag the traditional method of foregathering to revive old memories, and it gave more opportunities for meeting in an informal maner. He. had received a telegram from the. Auckland branch of the association conveying its good. wishes, and a telegram from Mr H. Slater, of Masterton, also an old boy of the school. Continuing, Mr Morrell stated that he had been associated with the school and with those who had passed through it for many years, and the memories revived by that gathering were such as he would have at a reunion of his own old schoolfellows. The association, and particularly, perhaps the earlier members who had done such a great deal of work in its formation., had done much for the school, and he hoped that those who were left of the old band of stalwarts would long he spared to give the benefit of their long experience. He could scarcely share the chairman’s pessimism, as he was sure that many of the younger men were taking an enthusiastic part in the activities of the association. He fully appreciated and had much pleasure in acknowledging the invaluable help which the Old Boys’ Association had given in the past, was giving, and would give in the future, help which was also highly appreciated by the members of his staff and the boys at pressent at the school. The association set them an example which would be of great benefit to them. Mr Morrell spoke in terms of the highest praise of the work of of the masters at the school. Old boys, nowadays, he said, could scarcely realise the amount of time which members of the staff gave up for the boys. The traditions of a school were built up by the boys themselves, and if a boy left school fitted to take his position in the com- | munity and play his part in life with , credit the school had done something worth while. If the boys would carry on the of the school in that manner he and the staff would be content.

The toast of “ Masters, Past and Present, ’ was proposed by Professor T. D. Adams, who spoke for some time in humorous and reminiscent vein of experiences at the school in the early days of its career. He then mentioned that Mr Morrell was that year in the twenty-fifth year of his tenure of the position of headmaster of the school, and he congratulated him on his long and honourable service.— (Applause.) Speaking of the work of the masters, Professor Adams said that although scholastic attainments were of great importance in a man to whom was entrusted the training of a boy, strength of personality was of equal importance, as much could be taught through personal contact that could not be otherwise imparted. The toast was briefly responded to by Mr F. H. Campbell and Mr R. W. S. Botting.

The final toast of the evening was that of “Kindred Societies,” proposed by Mr R. L. Fairmaid and responded to by the representatives of the sister associations present.

During the evening items were given by Messrs Manders, Moller, Fraser, and Calder.