THE ANNUAL RE-UNION OF KING’S COLLEGE OLD BOYS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 22 August 1912, Page 16

THE ANNUAL RE-UNION OF KING’S COLLEGE OLD BOYS.

The King’s College Old Boys had a great reunion and joyous time last week for their annual celebrations. On Thursday evening a general meeting was held, at which the keenest enthusiasm was evinced by the large gathering in the project to place King’s College on a permanent footing as one of the principal educational institutions in the Dominion. The ex-students unanimously decided to iise their individual and collective influence to hasten the consummation of the scheme, which has already received encouraging support from a representative citizens’ committee. In referring to this subject the popular headmaster. (Mr. C. T. Major) said 1 that one of his most cherished ambitions on first taking up the work-" at King’s College was to effect an amalgamation between that institution and St. John’s College, and to see the combined school placed upon a permanent basis, and that ambition was now realised. Speaking to his hearers as past pupils of the school he appealed to them to realise to the full the duty they owed to the school, and to see that the magnificent effort which had been made on behalf of the new scheme was sustained. He appealed to them also to realise their duties in a broader sense as citizens and to remain steadfast to the duty they owed their country and their God, as well as to their old school. Another pleasant feature of this social gathering was the presence of a number of old boys from other secondary schools in New Zealand, and also several old boys of English public schools, all of whom entered into the genial spirit of goodwill towards King’s College, which inspired such worthy pride in all its ex-stud-ents.

On Friday evening the old boys held a theatre party at the Opera House, which brought together nearly three hundred. The present masters ■of the King’s College and a number of old boys from kindred colleges were present. Gaiety was added to the entertainment by the liberal distribution of floral tokens, bearing college colours, to the performers. Some topical allusions to college matters and prominent guests aroused much merriment. Altogether it was a pleasant party, which was suitably followed by a supper party, given by old boys of Southern secondary schools. At this function Dr. McDowell proposed the toast of ‘‘The Southern Colleges,” and remarked that it was the first occasion of the kind where all the colleges had met together. He acknowledged the compliment they were paying the King’s Old Boys, and said the enthusiasm displayed would be a great encour-

agement. The doctor asked all old • boys, no matter what their college,. to support Auckland in its endeavour to secure a university worthy of the city. “The Southern Colleges” was toasted in bumpers, and was responded to with felicitious speeches by Messrs. E. S. Grundy (Wellington College), S. T. George (Wanganui Collegiate School), F. H. Levein (Nelson College), D. Holderness (Christ’s • College), A. L. Deninston (Otago High School), and F. A. Vickerman (Waitaki College). Mr. Alex. Reid, president of King’s Old Boys’ Association, thanked the Southerners for the cordial way they had ? supported the Auckland Association. He urged all old boys of the secondary schools to form a body that

would be worthy of the traditions of their schools, and show people what public school life really meant to them. They could exercise a tremendous amount of influence on such questions as that of getting a proper university for Auckland. On Saturday a formidable programme was got through, starting with a luncheon and finishing up with the annual dinner after a football match and sports meeting. At the dinner the new college scheme was again the chief theme with the assembled guests. Dr. McDowell, in returning thanks to the old boys for their loyal support, said the scheme originated through a combination of generosity, enthusiasm, and liberality, and through the co-operation -of these

three, it would be carried to a triumphant conclusion. The enthusiasm of tjhe Old Boys’ Association and on the president (Mr. Alex Reid) and secretary (Mr. Graham Reid) in particular, had induced him to take upon himself the duties of the chairmanship of the citizens’ committee. The work was well in hand, the constitution of the new college was almost complete, and the next thing was to procure a site. He paid a high tribute to Mr. Major as a headmaster and a man. Continuing to dwell upon the new scheme, he said that one of the most important institutions in connection with the new

school would be the school chapel, round which the graver memories connected with the school might centre. He ventured' to prophesy that the time would come when King’s College would stand at the very top among the school of the Dominion for athleticism and scholastic achievements combined. The festivities in connection with the.r.eunion were fittingly brought to a close on . Sunday by a large number of old boys joining the present students and together attending divine service at St. Aidan’s Church, Remuera. An inspiring sermon of an appropriate character was preached by the Rev. W. Beatty.

In every sense of the word the reunion was remarkably successful,

and reflects the greatest credit on those zealous old boys, who were responsible for the organisation of the comprehensive programme, which admirably served to bring together old school mates and galvanate anew that most worthy attribute of our secondary school boys—-loyalty to their respective colleges.

PAST v. PRESENT MATCH. The annual football match between the Old Boys and Present Boys of King’s College was played at Campbell Park on Saturday in the presence of a large gathering of enthusiasts, included among whom were many old boys from the Southern colleges. The greatest interest was taken in

the fixture, the Old Boys being very keen in their desire to lower the colours of the crack college team. What the Old Boys lacked in alertness and condition as compared to the active Present Boys team was made up in poundage, but the latter gained the satisfaction of knowing that they could teach their elders how to play the game, for they triumphed over the Old Boys to the tune of 6 points to 3. To the well-trained college team the match was simply an enjoyable practice game, but to many of the Old Boys it was sheer hard graft and they were found with bellows to mend during the latter half, the

severe strain on their respiratory organs necessitating a well-deserved breather at intervals. It was perhaps just as well that some of the oldtimers were not included in the Old Boys fifteen, as they would probably have collapsed through sheer weariness in the face .of the great amount of leg exercise the fleet-footed members of the college team gave the opposing side. The Present Boys quite upheld their reputation, despite the disparity in size and weight between the two teams. . Their combination was naturally- a strong feature of their play, but-as regards this essential the Old Boys- had to do as best they could, and that they soon acquired a know- 1 ledge of each other’s play was evi-

denced by the even tussle they put up against the splendidly-balanced college division. Beaten by the narrow margin of three points the Old Boys were left lamenting the fact that Dickeson, their speedy threequarter, just failed to put the finishing touches on an exciting dash he made for the line, Clifford shattering the hopes of the Old Boys’ supporters with a solid tackle. The Present Boys notched the first try of the match, Pittar finding a weak spot in the Old Boys’ defence, this being the only try recorded during the first half. In the second spell Smith registered the Present Boys’ second try, while from a penalty awarded the Old Boys Hodgson piloted the ball over the bar, the

final score being: Present Boys 6, Old Boys 3. Mr. Arthur Plugge (whose genial disposition and hospitality has endeared him to all Old Boys) fulfilled the duties of referee in an efficient manner. One of King’s best known old boys “John” Morrin acted as line umpire, and it would not have caused any surprise to have seen the popular “Roland” drop his flag in his enthusiasm and rush to the Old Boys’ assistance. Of the Present Boys forwards Tonks and Pittar constituted a pair of willing grafters. Maxwell, at half, played creditably, as did Simmonds at full-back, while Smith, at centre, was the star of the threequarter line. “Lal” Walker, the Old Boys skipper, played brilliantly, and was one of the few on his side who wer,e decidedly well off on the score of condition. “Jock” Whitney (on the wing), Hunter (of Hamilton), and Munro were a veritable trio of willing workers in the Old Boys’ forwards. In the backs Dickeson’s star was in the ascendant as of yore, while Reed (five-eighths) and Clark (half) were the most prominent of the others. The “curtain-raiser” consisted of the match between the . Old Boys’ B team and the Present Boys’ second fifteen, and was won by the former by nine points to six. Mr. F. Stuckey (whose popularity with supporters of both sides made .him an admirable referee) controlled the game in a highly satisfactory manner.

THE SPORTS PROGRAMME. With the football matches over, interest turned to several running events, which served as a further attraction to the afternoon’s sport. The Old Boys showed that they had not lost their sprinting powers, for the races in which they figured were very keenly contested. The results were as follows: — Members of King’s College Old Boys’ Association Handicap, 50 yards: Roache 1, Carpenter 2, Towle 3. Southern Colleges Old Boys’ Handicap, 50 yards: H. Robertson (Wellington College) 1, Rishworth (Nelson College) 2, Natusch (Wellington College) 3. Country Members’ Handicap, 50 vards: Steadman 1, Fraser 2, Morrin 3. Sack Race: Crowther 1, Duthie 2, Atkinson 3. The valuable prizes presented for the different events were a distinct credit to the Association, and the successful competitors were well rewarded for their efforts.