NOT TO GO INTO RECESS

Southland Times, Issue 23766, 14 March 1939, Page 2

NOT TO GO INTO RECESS

MOVE TO REVITALIZE ASSOCIATION TECHNICAL COLLEGE OLD STUDENTS The question of whether the Technical College Old Students’ Association should go into recess for two years with the exception of the annual dinner as suggested in a motion held over from the last annual meeting was answered in the negative at the annual meeting z of the association last evening in the college assembly hall. There was a fair attendance and Mr J. L. Sutton was chairman. Members spoke enthusiastically of revitalizing the association and forging a closer link between the association and the college. The need of such a link was emphasized and it was stated that although hundreds of students passed through the college each year not enough became members of the Old Students’ Association. Methods designed to result in a greater and more enthusiastic membership were discussed and the advantages, apart from sentimental reasons, that could be obtained by former pupils were outlined. Mr Sutton mentioned the difficulties that had had to be overcome during the past year but, because of the interest and work of the members and officers, he predicted a more successful future. ANNUAL REPORT The annual report, which was adoptd, stated:— “The season opened with the annual dinner and the association had the pleasure of the company of Mr W. G. Aldridge (college principal from 1919 to 1926) and Mrs Aldridge on this occasion. A dance followed the banquet. “Mr G. M. Turner, of Stewart Island, gave two cinematograph evenings during the winter, both being open to the public. The net proceeds of the first function were equally divided between the Childen’s Health Camp Movement and the association’s funds. We wish to thank Mr Turner. The annual ball was held in September following the Southland Technical College versus Old Students’ Association annual Rugby match at Rugby Park for the Jubilee Cup. The Old Students were presented with this cup at the evening function. The bam dance took place towards the end of the year and proved a very successful function in every way. “The financial position of the association has been quite satisfactory during the period, subscriptions and registrations coming in very steadily. However, considering the very big number of students who pass through the college every year the membership of the association is not nearly as big as it should be. AGENTS IN COUNTRY “Country agents were appointed by the committee during the season and at present four centres in Southland are covered. It is hoped that this scheme of local representation will be enlarged during the coming year. The association owes a duty to the country former students to see that they are kept closely in touch with all our activities. “Affiliated sports clubs continue to function and the committee watches their progress with interest. The link with the parent body is, however, not so strong in some cases as it should be. Direct representation on the Old Students’ Association committee might have beneficial results and a move in that direction from affiliated bodies would certainly receive attention by the association. A tennis dub is at the present in the making among old students and during the coming, year the association hopes to add this club to the growing list of affiliated sports dubs.

“The annual prize-giving function at the college was attended by a representative of the committee. Special prizes for a boy and a girl were given by the association and an addition was made to the school library. The association should give serious consideration to the forging of a stronger link between it and the college pupils. “The association wishes to thank the principal of the college (Mr C. A. Stewart) and the members of the college for their willing co-operation and help.” The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Dr D. E. Hansen; president, Mr G. M. Thom; past president, Mr J. L. Sutton; vice-president, Mr J. Blampied; hon. vice-president, Mr W. G. Aldridge; treasurer, Mr W. Weeds; secretary, left in the hands of the committee; committee, Messrs G. Murdoch, B. Sinclair, G. Brash, J. Hamilton and D. Maxted; auditor, Mr V. Vial; trustees, Messrs F. E. Anderson, G. Skipworth and H. E. T. Sutton.