SCHOOLBOY ATHLETES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20296, 4 May 1934, Page 10

SCHOOLBOY ATHLETES.

Some Headmasters Oppose Melbourne Trip. To compete in the Empire athletic championships for secondary schoolboys at Melbourne in November it is proposed to send away a team of twelve boys to represent New Zealand. An invitation for Dominion competitors was received recently by the Secondary Schools Association of New Zealand in which it was stated that the boat fares of the hoys and a manager to and from * Melbourne would be paid by the Centenary Celebrations Council. The matter will be further considered during the May holidays, when both sides of the question will be discussed, as several head masters have announced their opposition to the scheme. Opinion on the matter in Christchurch is divided, but it is unlikely that any boys will be sent away from the schools here as in addition to some of the head masters disagreeing with the principle, examinations will up the time of the outstanding athletes of the various schools. Proper Control Necessary.

Dr D. E. Hansen, principal of the Christchurch Technical College, who received one of the circulars a few days ago, said that he did not think the college had any boys whose performances warranted nomination, but he had no objection to the proposal to send a team away provided the scheme was properly organised, as it seemed it was. The matter would be considered further during the approaching May holidays. While some head masters did not favour the idea, he felt there could be no objection to sending away a team if boys of the right stamp and standard were available. The head master of St Andrew’s College (Mr A. K. Anderson) favoured the tour from the point of view of educational value, but Mr R. J. Richards, head master of Christ's Coliege, and Mr L. F. de Berry, head master of the West Christchurch District High School, agreed to a certain extent with a strong protest sent throughout New Zealand by Canon If. K. Archdall, head master of King’s College, Auckland. Mr G. J. Lancaster, head master of the Christchurch Boys’ High School, preferred not to give his opinion on the question, but said that no boys from the High School would be nominated for the trip. The Rev Father A. Burger, S.M., rector of St Bede’s College, and chairman of the Christchurch Secondary School Headmasters’ Association, said that no boys had been nominated from St Bede's, while he did not desire to give his personal view. ■ I