SANDON OLD BOYS' ASSOCIATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8846, 24 June 1907, Page 3

SANDON OLD BOYS' ASSOCIATION.

The members of the above Association are to be congratulated npoi the complete success that attended the third annual reunion of scholars of the Sandon school. Ever since Wednesday visitors had been poiiring into the township, with the result that, the Town Hall was not half largo enough to;hold them when they all assembled on Friday night. It is impossible to describe a gathering of this description, where 500 schoolmates aiid friends meet each oilier again after an absence of a number of years from their native village. The visiting scholars were heartily welcomed by the President, Mr G. Williams, who was also the first teacher in the Sandon school. ; The first part of the evening was de '■ voted to the rendering of a short ; concert programme and talk—mostly talk. Short addresses were given by ' Mr Burcham, of Halcombe, and Messrs J. Bowater and J. Matthews, visiting old boys. Eacli of the ; speakers dwelt on the good effect of ' gatherings of this descriptions, and ] tendered the thanks of the visitors , to the local old boys who have brought these reunions to such a sue- ' cessful issue. Mr Walters, the . present headmaster of the Sandon ( School, made a few appropriate re- - niarlts. He said that lie had heard ■ of the hospitality of the Sandon school long before coming to the ; district, but he had no idea of ever seeing such a gathering as the one . held that night in such a small 1-, town. I

Some idea of the preparations that wero required for the supper may bo gained from the fact that it took four hours to get every one seated, twelve sittings being necessary before the last ones got to the tables. The ladies rose to the occasion and there was enough to eat and to spare. Dancing and talking was kept going till 5 o'clock nest morning, when the largest function ever conducted in the district was brought to a close. The most unpretentious and hardest worker was the seeretry, Mr H. Bowater, whose many duties in connection with the reunion have kept him busy for several weeks. That he carried out those duties faithfully and well is borne out by the complete success of the gathering. During the evening tilings got mixed in the cloak room, and several gentlemen unintentionally exchanged overcoats. It is requested that those having wrong coats notify the secretary at once, as some j of the mistakes were made by persons living long distances apart. !