REUNION DINNER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19757, 26 March 1934, Page 5

REUNION DINNER

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS ADDRESS BY RECTOR About 40 members of the Timaru High School Old Boys’ Association and representatives of the Old Boys' Associations of Southland, Christchurch, Otago and Waitaki Boys’ High Schools and St. Bede's College, gathered at the Grosvenor on Saturday night for the Association's annual re-union dinner. Mr A. J. Allport, president, was in the chair. In proposing the toast of The School," the chairman said that it was an inherent quality of human nature that early associations become in later life something to be greatly prized. One’s home town was always regarded with respect and admiration. One’s native land was loved and honoured and if need be defended. The same spirit of loyalty manifested itself in the case of one’s old school. They were drawn together by a common bond—they had all shared in the fellowship of one school; and if the school had taught them nothing more than the value of fellowship, then it had rendered a worthy service. But the school had given them much more than that. It had prepared them for the battle of life and had given them many of the things that they cherished most in life to-day. School days were indeed happy days. It was then that friendships were formed, knowledge is acquired, talents developed, lasting impressions gained and characters moulded. The old boys had reason ,o be proud of their Alma Mater and particularly of its record during the past year. No fewer than five University scholarships came to the school, one of the boys securing first place for New Zealand and another third. In all other examinations the school was highly successful, several of the older boys gaining sections of degrees. On the sporting side, the school had also enjoyed distinction, the football and cricket teams doing exceptionally well, while the standard of athletics had probably never been higher in the school's history. Much had already been written regarding Boot’s wonderful mile race in which he established a world’s mile record for school boys. It was particularly gratifying to the Old Boys’ Association that a boy of his calibre should be the first holder of the Lovelock Cup.

A Tragedy of the Depression.

“One of the tragedies of the depression is the fact that so . many boys are denied the opportunity cf commencing their careers in life,” said Mr Allport. “The school, being alive to the difficulties confronting these boys, has made special provision to enable them to further their education rather than allow them to drift aimlessly into a world that cannot absorb them. The school has done valuable work *n this direction, and old boys admire the way in which the boys themselves have faced up to the position.” Over the last 54 years the school had produced many distinguished scholars and many brilliant footballers, athletes and swimmers. The Association was indeed proud of their successes. There were many more however, who had not attained such prominence, but who nevertheless, were worthily upholding the good name of the school. The great majority of boys who had passed through the Timaru Boys’ High School had become worthy citizens, taking their part in the life of the community, with a full sense of responsibility and a determination to play the game. No school could ask more than that of its old boys. Mr Allport said his remarks would not be complete without reference to the Rector (Mr W. Thomas) and his capable staff. The school had been particularly fortunate in having a rector of Mr Thomas’s ability and he had been ably supported by a staff who had the welfare of the school at heart. “The school is the guardian of the rising generation and it behoves us all to ensure that the lamp of learning is not allowed to burn low,” concluded Mr Allport. Changes Predicted. Mr W. Thomas, in responding to the toast, thanked the old boys for their support during the year. Referring to the school’s academic successes, Mr Thomas said that during the lastyear they had had a good group, and while they could not taka much credit for the boys’ grey matter, it was gratifying to know that they had a staff capable of training the boys when they came to the school. “The school is making some changes. I am in the happy position of being a grandfather in that three of my old boys have sons at the school. How different these sons are finding the school from what it was in the time of their fathers.” Mr Thomas traced the growth of the school in equipment and buildings and said that the modern boy was having a much better time than his father had h i. “The whole orientation of school w kis changing and there will be greater changes in the future. In 25 to 50 years, more time will be given to leisure time, the cultivation of handwork, music etc. There are more boys asking for that work now than we can take,” concluded Mr Thomas. An appeal to old boys to stand behind the Board, was made by Mr S. D. Mason, chairman of the Board cf Governors, who also acknowledged the toast. Mr Mason said that if that were not done they might find that some of their facilities were curtailed, and the idea of centralisation was not welcomed by him any more than it was by the Rector, Mr Mason said he was very proud to be the . first old boy to be honoured by being chairman of the Board of Governors. Association Toasted. The toast of “The Association” was entrusted to Mr W. J. Scott, who spoke in humorous strain of the various stages of an old boy and concluded by referring to the difficulties which confronted an organisation such as the Association. Mr A. N. Leslie, who responded, referred to the good the Association could do in public effort, but added that more could be done with a greater membership. Old boys should realise that they could do great service to the school and the town. “We are different units, working along similar lines with the same spirit—the team spirit—towards a common aim, to be of service to one another,” said Mr A. C. Fahey, in proposing the toast of “Kindred Associations.” Replies were made by Dr G. R. Kingston (Southland Boys’ High School), Dr F. F. a. Ulrich (Otago Boys’ High School), Messrs L. M. Inglis (Waitaki Boys’ High School), P. W. Young (Christchurch Boys’ High School) and H. F. O’Meeghan (St. Bede’s College). The function concluded with the toast of “The Fourth Estate,” proposed by Mr J. W. Marriott and the singing of the school “Farewell Song.” During the evening items were given by Mr C. Goulding and an old boys’ orchestra, assisted by Mrs F. M. Drewitt