THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19672, 14 December 1933, Page 13

THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION ADDRESS BY REV. J. D. McArthur The seating accommodation at the Scottish Hall was fully taxed last night when the annual break-up function of the Timaru Technical College was held. The chairman of the Board of Managers (Mr A. Stead) presided, and included in those on the stage were the Mayoress, the Rev. J. D. McArthur and Mrs McArthur, the principal of the College (Mr F. L. N. Tuck), and members of the Board of : Governors and staff. An apology for * absence was received from the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) who was engaged at another meeting. The chairman expressed pleasure at the large attendance. “The work of the year has been very successful, and the utmost credit is due to Mr Tuck, members of his staff and the pupils,” said Mr Stead. Both. in and out of school the staff had been enthusiastic and the sports side of school activity had been encouraged. The Board of Managers was also grateful to the staff for assistance in connection with public functions, any effort to raise funds for the general welfare of their College meeting with wholehearted support. The harmony between the staff and the Board had been very marked during the year. The principal reviewed the work of the College for the year. In a word to pupils who were leaving he expressed a hope that they would long remember their school life and that above all they would endeavour to face the future in a true spirit and be of good service to the community. Mr McArthur’s Address. In an address directed mainly at the students, the Rev. J. D. McArthur said that Dr C. Simpson had described the five essentials in life as love, work, morality, experience, and belief in God, and in his opinion the other things in life were interwoven in these. Life consisted chiefly of the job and the home, as no one could really enjoy life without something to do. He hoped that when the students of the College went out into the world, they would devote some of their time to honorary work in the interests of the community. There were many avenues along which they would find themselves of service and this would belie the suggestion so far as they were concerned, that there was a tendency on the part of young people at the present time to take all and give nothing. Many bodies such as the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A., School Committees, Fire Boards and Fire Brigades and Churches had need for workers, but no payment could be expected. On the contrary they could expect bitter and harsh criticism which would make them wonder whether their efforts were really worth while. “I hope that no one has told you yet that work generally is humiliating,” continued Mr McArthur. That view was essentially stupid and the boy who could wash out a shirt was just as good as the boy who could not. There was a gospel in and of work, and there was no substitute. It had been said that a menial job was not a humiliation except to the man who made it so for himself. The Bible was a workers’ book and this should be closely studied. ‘“Do not be demoralised by your job if you have one,” he said—"do your best.” In the Technical College the students were being taught to think as they worked. Things did not just happen—the best was born of toil, brain or hand, and generally of both. Nothing worth having came easily, and this was evidenced by the efforts of Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen and now Byrd, who had used brain and hand in endeavour to make a contribution to this world. Faith bred courage, and courage was badly needed in these days. Progress was easy downstream, but it took something to make progress against the current. He felt sure that the pupils of the College would enter the world well-equipped.. He congratulated the principal and staff on the splendid year’s work, and hoped that next year the college would continue to progress and register the best year on record. The school prizes won during the year were then presented by Mrs McArthur, the sports trophies being presented by the Mayoress. Cheers were given separately by the boys and girls for the Board of Governors and the staff. Gathering Entertained. The progress the College has made on the musical side was fully demonstrated by several individual and choral numbers, while two folk dances, "Dargason” and "Rufty Tufty” drew forth well-merited applause. The vocal programme was as follows:—Solo, “Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind” 'Martin Bhaw), Muriel Smith: trio, “When a Mountain Skylark” (Somervell), R. Dale, M. Smith and M. Marsden; solo, "The Little Spinner” • Mozart), Phyllis Manning: sextette. “The Turtle Dove” (Vaughan Willir ns), M. Smith. P. Manning, M. Marsden, M. Stapleton, R. Dale and I. Mackie; quartette, "Early One Morning” (arr Shaw). R. Dale, M. Marsden. I. Mackie and M. Stapleton. Outstanding work was shown by the choir in the following numbers: “Mowing the Barley.” “The Sweet Nightingale” (arr Cecil Sharpe), "Four Lilies” • Haynes), Milton’s "Song on May Morning” (Mcßurney), "Old King Cole,” with descant (Dunhill), "The Berkshire Tragedy” (arr Henry Hadow), soloiste M. Marsden, "The Open Road" (Walford Davies), soloiste. Muriel Smith, and "I Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” with descant (Dunhill). The accompanist was Mr A. McLintock.