Jubilee of Boys3 High School

Southland Times, Issue 21325, 20 February 1931, Page 5

Jubilee of Boys 3 High School

50TH ANNIVERSARY YEARS OF PROGRESS A PROUD RECORD CELEBRATIONS TO-DAY There are few loyalties in life so powerful and so enduring as the loyalty to the old school. Of this loyalty the Southland Boys’ High School has undoubtedly rich store on which to draw to ensure the enthusiastic success of the jubilee celebrations (which commence to-day) recalling its honourable past and acclaiming its yet brighter future. As regards those who have received their education at the school, it cannot be gainsaid that the force of school sentiment in most minds is extraordinarily strong, often reaching an extreme point of what may be termed emotional remembrance, and the local scholars have not'been backward in fostering this affectionate attachment. The potency and poignancy of memories of boyhood’s days will draw back to the old school men from near and far who have made their mark in many walks of life. No doubt there is a sad side to these memories and celebrations. They bring wistful visions of departed comrades and (as the author of ‘‘Tom Brown’s Schooldays” puts it) of those who, whether living or dead, “have just gone clean out of sight.” But while these natural emotions will find place, one has no doubt that the exultant note of jubilee —of hope, and thankfulness, and forward-looking trust —will predominate in the proceedings o£ the next few days.

But it is not only those, who, to a very great extent, have had their characters moulded within the walls of this fine scholastic institution so revered by its alumni, who will take cordial interest in the jubilee celebrations. The civic and provincial community, as a whole, is justly proud of the Southland Boys’ High School —proud of its inception in the enlightened spirit of the educational enterprise of the pioneers; proud of its 50 years’ history and proud of its gathering traditions and prestige. For these good reasons, the jubilee is an event that is sure to engage the keen attention of everyone.

First and foremost, last and dominating, the aim of the school has always been (in strict adherence to its motto, “Non Scholae sed vitae discimus”) not to train scholars but to turn out men, and, should anyone ask what monuments the institution has raised, the reply will undoubtedly be: “Look around you. There is no bigger monument to a school’s success than the men it turns out.” The school is steeped in noble traditions. In the list of its alumni and of its teachers, there is no lack of distinguished names, while there is many and many a name which, short of conspicuous distinction, is connected with social and humane service of no mean order.

ALONG THE YEARS

HISTORY OF SCHOOL

HALFCENTURY AGO

NOTABLE ENDEAVOURS

BOARD’S FIRST MEETING

The history of the school goes back to 1880, the institution being opened on Friday, December 17. The records show that the first chairman of the Board of Governors was Mr George Lumsden —a Fifeshire man —who arrived in Invercargill in 1861 and, for fourteen and a half years, he was in the chair during the childhood of tn c school. It is worthy of mention that the motto for the school was the motto of the old Aberdeen Grammar School.

The first meeting of the board was held on September 10, 1878, when, in addition to the chairman (Mr Lumsden) there were also present Messrs James Harvey, J. R. Cuthbertson and Henry Jaggers. Mr J. P. Joyce joined the board on December 16. At a meeting of the board on December 8, 1880, it was resolved "that Mr Goyen be requested to open the Boys’ High Schol on Friday, December 17, at Ramsay’s Hall (now Messrs Thomson and Beattie’s), with such assistance as he can procure, and continue it until the evening of Thursday, December 23." Mr Goyen, on December 17, reported to the board that, with the assistance of a Mr Bennett, he had that day opened the school with 15 pupils. Mr Goyen was thanked for his intimation and was requested to keep the school open, if possible, until the evening of Wednesday, December 22. This Mr Goyen was Peter Goyen, afterwards Inspector of Schools m Otago although, in December 1880, he was the Southland Inspector. The Earliest Years. For a period of 23 years, 1881 to 1903, the school was a combined institution, but with definite sides for the boys and for the girls. The first three headmasters, therefore, presided over the destinies of both boys and girls. The school was situated at the corner of Forth and Conon streets and consisted of three classrooms and a heaa-. master’s study. The first principal was Mr George William Blanchflower, 8.A., who came from the staff of the Geelong Grammar School. He was a first class

teacher and a strict disciplinarian but, although punishment was not unknown, it was very rare. In its first year, 62 boys were enrolled, and, at the end of Mr BlanchHower’s regime in 1885, 115 pupils had been enrolled. Mr Blanchflower was sorry to leave, but the attendance fell, and tne board decided on a change. It was Mr Blanchflower who chose the school motto: "Non Scholae sed vitae discimus” and it was also in his first years that red and white (since change to red, white and blue) were chosen as the school’s colours. Just before the breaking-up ceremony in December, 1885, the popular principal was presented by the boys, past and present, with a handsome diamond ring. Mr J. A. Fullarton, dux for 1885, in making the presentation, referred to the kindness and consideration with which Mr Blanchflower had always treated his pupils and, at the break-up again, further eulogistic references were made to the assistance, even after school hours, always readily given by the departing principal. In 1882 Mr Gammell, Inspector of Schools with the Southland Education Board, was authorized by the High Schools Board to inspect the High Schools in December. A further step forward was marked by the decision to grant Mr McLean (one of the masters) to establish a Boarding School for pupils. This building was (and still is) situated at Gladstone. It was in August 1885 that notice was given Miss Purnell (head of the Girls’ School) and to Mr Blanchflower that their services would not be required after the end of the year, it having been decided that a married man should be obtained to act as head of both schools.

After Mr Blanchflower, Mr A. H. Highton M.A., (Cambridge) was the second principal, his regime being from 1885 to 1893. It was due to his endeavours that the chemical laboratory was established in 1889. Mr Highton took a keen interest in the football, cricket and athletic sports of the school. It was later written of him that “No teacher ever had the good of the school more at heart . . .” The number of pupils enrolled during Mr Hightons term of office was 147. On March 29, 1886, the board resolved: “That the headmaster be requested to open and close the schools each day with prayers, and that the words to be used be first submitted for the board’s approval.” Such approval to the form of prayer was subsequently granted. Mr Highton pointed out the difficulties of closing school with prayer, so it was resolved, "That no prayer be used at the closing of the schools for reasons mentioned by Mr Highton.” In 1888 Messrs McLean and Stewart resigned and both returned to Melbourne. Messrs .W. E. P. Anstin, B.A. and W. Macalister, 8.A., were appointed in their place. A Satisfactory Report. In July 1899, the board authorized Archdeacon Stocker to examine both schools in Latin. Thomas Denniston to examine in English, and William Sharp to examine in Mathematics and Science. The joint report

was received on December 13. It stated. “We have to express our satisfaction with the general result, and our conviction that thoroughly good work is being done by the pupils in all departments; and we have pleasure in adding that the examination, insofar as it involved viva voce replies, afforded distinct evidence of a high state of discipline in the schools. Whilst, well able to appreciate the difficulties of your board, and its natural desire to swell the numbers on the rolls, it is our duty to State that there are pupils in the schools whose attainments clearly do not warrant their presence there.” At the end of 1890 Mr Austin (first assistant) resigned and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of Mr H. L. Fowler M.A. (Oxford) who, three years later, on the resignation of Mi Highton, was promoted to be Principal. Mr Fowler won the respect, of all, pupils and parents, by his conduct, by his discipline, by his scholarship and by his results. He continued in his office for ten years when he was appointed Principal of Nelson College in succession to Mr 1* rank Milner. At about this time (1903) the system of giving free places for proficiency was introduced and the roll numbers commenced to mount rapidly. The highest number of entrants in any one year had, prior to this, never exceeded 38, but afterwards, however, an average of about 85 new boys were enrolled each year.

Mr Pearce's Regime. On the resignation of Mr Fowler, Mr T. D. Pearce M.A. was appointed to fill the vacancy as rector, commencing his duties at the beginning of 1904 and continuing right on until he resigned in 1929. Under his regime, the school made splendid progress both from an academical point of view and from that of sport. A deep debt of gratitude is owed to him by the Old Boys of the school for his admirable compilation of school records entitled “The Southland Boys’ High School Register.” It is worthy of mention, that, during Mr Pearce’s term of office, no fewer than three Rhodes Scholars came to the School, viz: F. F. Miles (1912), 11. J. Ryburn (1920) and J. C. Dakin (1930). Following the large accession of new pupils, more class room became necessary and, in 1907, the boys took over and occupied the whole of the building at the corner of Forth and Conon Streets, the girls moving to the present site of the Girls’ School in Forth Street. Prior to that, in 1902, the gymnasium, the erection of which was largely due to Mr W. Macalister’s advocacy, was opened. A further important milestone on the road of progress was marked by the transfer of the school from Forth Street to the splendid new building in Herbert Street. This institution —one of the most dignified scholastic structures in the Dominion —was officially opened by the Minister of Education (Sir James Parr) in March 1926, but was actually occupied sotiie six weeks previously. One feature of the new site lies in the fact that there are some 17 acres adjoining for playing areas, the proposed hostel and other School purposes. As far back as 1914 a definite promise had been made to the Board of Governors by Cabinet of a grant towards the erection of a hostel, but, owing to the Great War, the board generously agreed to leave the matter in abeyance until a more opportune season. Even since the termination of the war, but more particularly under the chairmanship of Mr R. M. Strang, strenuous endeavours were made to obtain a suitable hostel which, it was realized, was essential to the further progress of the school. In 1930, a Government grant was definitely promised and plans were drawn by Mr J. W. Mair, architect for the Public Works Department in Wellington, Tenders have been called but the contract has not yet been finalized. It is hoped, however, that the hostel will be consummated in the very near future.

After Mr Pearce resigned, Mr T. R. Cresswell M.A. acted as rector for two terms, the position being then permanently filled by the appointment of George H. Uttley M.A., D.Sc., F.G.S. (Lond.), who has had a most distinguished career both academically and athletically. After having been first assistant at the Waitaki Boys’ High School for a number of years, he was appointed headmaster of Scot’s College (Wellington) and afterwards of the Wairarapa High School (Masterton). Veteran Teachers. The passing of the years has naturally seen many changes in the staff. It is impossible, in the space available, to give a detailed account of all the masters who have passed through the School but it is but fitting that there should be singled out three assistants whose services and influence have extended over a long period of fruitful endeavour. The first is J. E. Vernon M.A. B.Sc (now deceased), who was mathematics and science teacher from 1893 to 1902 when he resigned to become rector of the Palmerston North School. Mr Vernon was a very popular and yet very efficient master and the pupils under him were always uniformly successful. The second is the doyen of the present, staff, Mr J. ,S. McGrath B.A. He has always taken a great interest in the outdoor activities of the school and a large measure of the success attained by the football teams in particular is due to his patient and enthusiastic coaching. The veteran teacher (for he has now completed twenty-seven years of service) is exceedingly well-liked by both past and present pupils and has obtained good results in English and the other subjects which he has taught. The remaining master is Mr James P. Dakin, B.A. (Lond.) who joined the staff in 1907. He became first assistant in 1916. Upon him has devolved the teaching of French for which he is admirably qualified, having previously lived in France for some years. He is also a splendid mathematical scholar and is very popular with his pupils on account of his dry, caustic wit.

Duces of the School. The following is a list of the duces of the school:— John A. Asher (1881), W. Fred Collins (1883-4), Jas. A. Fullarton (1885), Alex M. Burns (1886), J. Ern. Rogers (1887), W. S. Baird (1888), John Collie (1889-1890), William Mitchell (1891), Alex. Cowie (1892), John Taylor (1893), John A. Fraser (1894), R. Brownlie (1895), R. M. Erskine (1896-7), C. P. Brown (1898), Fred Ball (1899), Alb. Acheson and Ern. Lindsay (1900), Ern. Lindsay (1901), J. Bruce Baird (1902), A. Bon. Lindsay (1903), A. M. Palmer (1904), Robert Kennedy (1905), John Murdoch (1906), M. Alexander and K. G. Fraser (1907), Norm. Millard (1908), J. P. Hewat (1909), W. Cody (1910), J. G. Anderson (1911), Lind Bennet (1912), Charles Carter (1913), Geoff. Wild (1914), Hub. Rvburn (1915), H. Dver (1916), Fred. McDowall (1917), Sid. Hall (1918), Reg. Roberts (1919), G. M. Cameron (1920), R. Don Cox (1921), Jas. Francis (1922), Al. Harrington (1923), lan Rout (1924), G. D. Anderson and Jas. C. Dakin (1925), Ralph McKay (1926), Gordon Macdonald (1927), W. A. Corn. Smith (1928), Ays. Clifford (1929), J. Doug. Thomson (1930).

Rhodes Scholars. In the history of the school, three Cecil Rhodes Scholarships have been won bypupils as under:— F. F. Miles.—l9l2. H. J. Ryburn.—l92o. J. C. Dakin.—l93o. Entrance Scholars. The New Zealand University Entrance Scholars from the Southland Boys’ High School are as under: — ' J. A. Erskine (1890), R. M. Erskine I (1897), C. P. Brown (1898), C. S. Brown I (under age), E. C. Lindsay (1901), R. J. i McKay (1901), J. B. Baird (1902), A. B. Lindsay (1903), R. Kennedy (1905), B. H. Gilmour and J. H. Murdoch (1906), K. G. Fraser and M. Alexander (1907), F. F. Miles. W. A. Alexander, J. N. Millard, G. I Macindoe (1908), F. Adamson (1909), C. I J. Paterson, J. P. Hewat, W. T. Cody I (1910), J. G. Anderson, C. L. Bennet (rei signed), R. L. Christie (1911), C. L. Bennet (1912), C. L. Carter (1913), H. J. Ryburn, G. V. Wild (1915), H. E. Dyer, J. P. Donald (1916), F. 11. McDowall and G. R. Kingston (1917), S. W. Hall (1918), G. 1 M. Cameron (1921), J. S. Francis (1922), lan D. Rout (1924), P. C. Carman (1925), J. C. Dakin (first) 1926, G. M. Macdonald | (1928), A. Clifford (1929).