VALEDICTORY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13873, 15 September 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELL TO NELSON COLLEGE

"OLD BOYS."

(From "Tho Colonist," Aug. 24.)

Yesterday afternoon at tho Haeremai toa rooms "old boys" of Nelson College who have enlisted for active service were the guests of Mr.'W. Deyenish (president of the, Nelson College Old Boys' Association) and Dr. W. D. S Johnston (president of tho Nelson College Old Boys' Football Club). There was a large gathering of "old boys'; and a.-number of present pupils. Mr W. Devenish, who presided, apologised for the absence of Dr. Gibbs and Mr 0. R. Fell. • He referred to the object of the gathering, and tho fatis-. 'faction that must be felt at so many "old boys" offering for service. He wished those who were about to go Godspeed, and was sure they would uphold the reputation of Nelson College at rfc front. Tho names of those who were leaving shortly (some to-day) were as follows: P. Boyes, N. Widdowsori, F. H .Newton, A. Whitwell, F. S. Everett, 11. Watson, T. M. Jennens, N. A. Vercoe, H. S. Harley, C. P. Worley, M. I. Morrison, H. L. Ellis, L. Condell arid A, 11. Sherwood He expressed pleasure at seeing Messrs J. Cock and A 11. Sherwood, both of whom had Icen on active service (tho former at the Dardanelles). Mr Devenish then referred to the "old boys" ■ who bad given the full measure of their patriotism, and said it was the intention'of the Old Boys' Association to perpetuate their memories in a fittuig manner:. The, names of "old boys" who had died for their country were: Major S. Gbnm.bors, Captain C. H. It. Watts, Lieutenant C. B. S. Menteath, Sergeant-Major A. .1 M. Bonar, Soigeant E. A. Ingram. Sergeant S. C. Everett, Corporal K. R Bowden, Privates H. G. Bonar, P.' Billiard, J. C Blackett, H B Brown, J. H. Z. Geddes, J. E. Jessop, and 11. JNowton. Then there was also, he said some doubt as to the fate of Major F. Stuckey and Sergeaut K. W. Commons. Mi Devenish also referred tf/ the many 'old boy?" who had been wounded. It was also, he said, intended by the Old Boys' Association to establish a permanent record of all -'old "boys" who had enlisted. Mr. W. Rout (vice-president of the Old Boys' Association) said they were all immensely proud of the "old boys" who had gono and those about to go to tlie front, and they were deeply grieved to hear that, sso many had lost their lives. They had met on previous occasions to farewell "old boys," and he was afraid it was not the last occasiou on which they would meet. Those who were going had their best wishes, and could be assured of a hearty welcome on their return.

•Dr. Johnston (president of the Old Boys' Football Club) wished the: "old bovs'> God-speed. He* said that tiie majority of the n.eit going forward were footballers. Football, he said, was one of the greatest teacher* of the battlo of life and a good footballer always made a good soldier. The heroism displayed "by the New Zealanders would be handed down as a cherished lipjitage, and ir.any of the boys witn their blood had written a glorious pago in history. Every man who could should \oku\teer to crush the tnemy of civilisation. , Mr W. AY. Snodgrass (secretary of tlie Empire Defence' Fund) having apologised for the absence of the Mayor, referred to the quality of tJie n.en supplied from Nelson College. Ho said no had been told by a. doctor that he had .rever had to turn down any of the bo\;s who had been to the College —they were always fit and always willing. He was jure those who were leaving would acquit themselves Gs well as these who had pone before. Mr 'Snodgrat-s, on behalf of the Empire Defence Fund, then presented Lieutenants Morrison, \ercoe' Barley, and Worley each with a cheque towards then- equipment, .which he said had been done to every officer who had left Nelson. Mr J. H. Cook (on behalf of t\hi-. Board of Governors) said the numbor ct "old boys" who were going was a fine- record, and what a fine record thoy would havo. to i>tit on the walls of the College when the war was o\er. .There was every prospect of .those vho were going getting into the block of the i\«Min.r "but if any should fall they nuist remember that "ho that loseth his lire will save it." This was absolutely true. "Let us, hope, however, said Mr. Cock, that you will all come back, i wish'you good luck and God-speed. Mr H. L Fowler (principal of the Boys' College) said that 'since the war the study of geography flourished as it had never done before. Relcrrmg to the "old boys" who had fallen, be sam the boys had taken the losses in a proper spirit. We were fighting a strong, dangerous,, and unscrupulous enemy, and tintn had shown tbat he _was far worse than we expected. -1?© H, )If>''V taken the Turk on his side. It war, evident that those who were loaym.% would be in time to turn out tho Unspeakable Turk." They would be fighthie over the country where tho nbl GruVders fengbt, and -they would be tightir.g for the defence of civilisatioi;, whie.i was the gieaktst and holiest, or all crusades. • ■ ■' • ■ ,■,„ r ~ lieutenant Morrison, «.n behalf ot the officers, expressed thanks for^tbe gifts made by tlu» EmT>ire.l)ef<snce,l(nmJ; "->;'-* the farewell given by the.■"o.Ja_..bqy«/ Tlae College'song was sung by Air \V. H Harley, and the gathering conchiderl with cheers for those who were leaving,'the urging of "Auld Lang Syne/ and the National Anthem. _

Messrs. J. and C. McLean were entertained last night by the Congregational Gymnasium Club, when an enjoyable evening was spent by the members and personal friends _or the guests. Messrs. H. Lane and M. lalbct, who are also leaving on Tuesday, were unavoidably absent from the gathering. After games, etc., the Rev. T G. Butler spoke a few words of .appreciation, and expressed good wishes to the departing soldiers. • Mr. W. _\Y. Snodgrass, on behalf of the Empire Defence Fxmd, also expressed his pride m the snlendid spirit shown by the volunteers^ and appealed to all to work and fight for victory. - Mr. Butler stated that the boys'' branch' of the gymnasium had collapsed owing to the majority having enlisted, and read the names of those who had gone from the church or gymnasium, viz., J. Regaldo, T. C. liardie F. and H. Barltrop, H. Lane, M Talbot, C. and J. McLean and J. Hemphill. Messrs. McLachlan and Halliday, who were also present, had volunteered, but had not been accepted. After supper and some songs hj Mr. J. Sharman, "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem were heartily sung by the company.

At the conclusion of the parade of ihe National Reserve last evening, President James Anstice. ou be-half of the Nelson Pflfenco Rifle Club, presented Rifleman J. R. McLean with a wristlet watch on the eve of his departure as a member of the Nelson quota of the Eighth Reinforcements. . Cheers were given for the recipient. Private Aiex, Sinclair, of the clerical staff of Ihc Mental Hospital, who leaves for Troirfham to-day. was entertained at a social and dance- at tho institution on Friday evening. On behalf of the .sinil Dr. Jeffreys presented 'Private Sinclair with a wristlet'watch.

Messrs. E.. Mullany. and J...and C. McLean, of the Federal Hockey. Club, who have' joined the. Reinforcements, were entertained at a euchre party and dance at the Masonic. Hall last night by the hockey,,players-of Nelson, and given an enthusiastic farewell.