SIXTY YEARS OF PROGRESS

Southland Times, Issue 24574, 24 October 1941, Page 6

SIXTY YEARS OF PROGRESS

SOUTHLAND BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS YESTERDAY The diamond jubilee of the Southland Boys’ High School was celebrated yesterday in conjunction with the school’s annual athletic sports. The celebrations, which were arranged by the Old Boys’ Association, included a short ceremony held in the assembly hall. Unfortunately, the wet and stormy weather prevented a large attendance at the sports and made it necessary for part of the programme to be abandoned for the day. The Southland Boys’ High School has a splendid record throughout its 60 years of existence and has produced many men who have won fame and respect not only in New Zealand, but overseas. The school has a fine record in scholastic attainments and has also been most successful in the field of sport, in its musical activities and in many other directions. The history of the school during the last 10 years was briefly traversed by the rector (Dr G. H. Uttley), who presided at the ceremony in the assembly hall. The golden jubilee of the school was celebrated over three days in 1931, said Dr Uttley, and was attended by old boys from many parts of the Dominion. The diamond jubilee was being celebrated in different conditions, but the Old Boys’ Association thought that some recognition should be made of the sixtieth anniversary. It had been intended to hold the celebrations outside, but the weather had made this impossible. SCHOLASTIC ATTAINMENTS During the last 10 years 250 pupils of the school Lad passed the university entrance examination, 11 had won university entrance scholarships and 18 had gained senior University scholarships while at university. Two old boys had brought honour to the school by being selected as Rhodes scholars. The standard of school football had been well maintained during the decade, continued Dr Uttley. At times the school fifteens had performed particularly well and on other occasions they had not been so successful. Five old boys had been selected as All Blacks and this was something of which the school might well be proud. Cricket had made good progress and the grounds were kept in good order. The school had more than held its own at the inter-secondary school athletic tournaments and had established a good record of wins. The senior shield had been won three times and the junior shield once. One of the most outstanding athletes produced by the school during the decade was P. G. McLauchlan, who was chosen as the New Zealand secondary school representative at the Centenary Games in Melbourne in 1934. He performed splendidly and won the one mile championship from some of the best secondary school runners in the Empire. HIGH STANDARD OF SHOOTING

The standard of the school shooting had been particularly high during the past five or six years and much credit was due to the enthusiasm of the masters. Last year the school had the honour of winning the Earl Roberts Empire Challenge Shield. The school actually won the shield the previous year, but the entry reached England too late for inclusion in the competition.

“The school has had much success in its musical activities,” said Dr Uttley. “The Drum, Trumpet and Bugle Band is recognized throughout New Zealand as an outstanding band and it has given many delightful performances. The school owes much to the work of the bandmaster, Lieutenant J. L. Napier. The school choir was recently invited to Dunedin and Christchurch by musical societies in these cities and performed with distinction.” Dr Uttley also referred to the development of the school library and said the boys were being encouraged to make as much use of it as possible. He paid a tribute to the work of the Old Boys’ Association during the last 10 years, and said that it had taken a tremendous interest in the school. He would like to express the school’s appreciation of its activities. The head prefect of the school, lan Gilbertson, then extended a welcome to those present. “I would like to congratulate the Old Boys’ Association on not allowing the anniversary to pass without recognition,” said Mr W. Bell, chairman of the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools Board. At the same time he thought the decision not to hold an elaborate function was a wise one. SOUND REPUTATION The school had built up a sound reputation and some of the leading citizens not only of Invercargill, but of New Zealand, had passed through the school, he said. To the old boys of the school he would extend the thanks of tire board for the fine work they had done in the past. “About 400 old boys of the school are serving in the present war,” stated Mr R. W. Murray, president of the Old Boys’ Association. “Unfortunately, when a war is being waged there must be some losses and a number of old boys has already been killed. I would ask those present to stand in silence as a mark of respect to their memory.” The school was working on sound lines and possessed good facilities for education and sport, continued Mr Murray. The school was turning out many boys destined to make names for themselves, and he thought much credit should be given to the staff. The school curriculum had been extended in some directions and modified in others and, in the main, with good results.

“Never has the need for sane, sound and rational thinking been greater, and it is here that the association hopes to play its part,” added Mr Murray. “A big gap has been created in the membership of the association, and we look to the boys now leaving school to carry on its activities.”