SILVER JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18480, 7 September 1925, Page 5

SILVER JUBILEE.

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS. ANNUAL DINNER. The Christchnrch Boys' High School Old Boys' Association held its annual reunion dinner on Saturday night, Mr A. E. Byrne presiding over a. laTge attendance. The occasion was the more noteworthy in that it also marked the silver jubilee of the Old Boys' Rugby Football Club, that body having been formed in 1900. In proposing the toast of "The School," the chairman said that those who had attended the school had been fortunate, because the staff was always so good, from the headmaster downwards. In such circumstances it was not surprising that so many Old Boys had made their mark in the outside world. It was not boasting fo say that the school had turned out two Cabinet Ministers, a Mayor, a headmaster and the late Bob Deans. The present headmaster, Mr 0. J. Lancaster, had gathered around him a staff of younger men, and they too were stumping their individuality on the present generation of bovs.

After the toast had been honoured those present joined in the chorus of the school song "Altiorn Peto," the verses of which were sung by Mr N. Down.

Mr Lancaster, in responding, said that on behalf of the school he would like to congratulate the Old Boys senior fifteen on winning the championship this season. Speaking of the school, he said that the test of it was the class of Old Boys that it had turned outu The present staif was a youthful one, but was doing plenty of work in the school and out of it. He was pleased that football was proceeding so well in the school; although there had perliaps l>een no spectacular wins this season, he could assure those present that the game Mas nevertheless sound, and at the school there were between 300 and 400 players, many of whom were full of promise. The boys owed a lot to the masters who gave up much of their time to help them with their football, but the masters got their reward when they saw the boys enjoying themselves in healthy exercise. Referring to the new school at Ricearton, Mr Lancaster said that it was hoped that it would be opened at the end of the year. There was a certain amount of sentiment attaching to the old school, but his own opinion concerning it was that, if those present were attending it today they would not care how soon it. was that they were to leave it, owing to its crowded condition. Message from the Old "Head." Mr C. E. Bevan-Brown, who was unable to be present, sent the following message by his son, Dr. F. V. Bevan-Brown: —"Poor old Balbus is not yet fit to face the world. I remember the'start of the Association; how it grew out of the Football Club; and I am glad to know that many of the old stalwarts are still among you, like Mr T. W. Reese My lieart is with the Old Boys, both, those flourishing here and in distant parts, and those who have gone west. It gladdens me to know how many Old Boys are serving the State well in responsible positions. I shall be sorry if yon miss "Uncle Tom Cobly" to-night unlesp you can get my son, the doctor, to sing it, as I Jwive asked him to." Dr. Bevan-Brown sang the song mentioned, the company joining in th® chorus. In proposing the toast of "The Association," Mr T. W. Reese said that the Association was a live organisation,, and possessed branches in Auckland and Wellington; its members all were proud of the old school, and would do their best to help it in every way, at the same time assisting the boys when, they loft the school. Dr. W. S. Seed, who replied, a aid that the Association had had a Varied career, but it was now on a sound basis, and had a membership of 900. The Association's first object was to help the school. Recently the Association had been actively engaged in establishing club rooms, and the collecting of funds for the Old Boys' War Memorial, but hoped soon to be able to do more for the, school itself again. The second object of the Association was to cement friendships formed at school, and in this connexion the club roomp were serving a useful purpose. Foottball was the main athletic branch of the Association's activities, but cricket and athletic clubs had also been formed. With respect to the Old Boys' War Memorial, Dr. Seed Baid that it' was well under way, and it was hoped that it could be unveiled when the new school was opened. Mr A. T. Donnelly also replied, stating that every year the Association's activities were increasing and every year saw better work done by it. Football. In proposing the toast of "The Football Club," Mr C. Buchanan, said that the club was founded at the end of the 1900 season, the first match being played in 1901 in the President's Cup grade. The following season senior football was played, the first match taking place on the "frogpond" at Lancaster Park in April, 1902. On thai occasion Old Boys were defeated by Linwood by 45 points- to nil, although they had in their ranks the great Bob Deans. A good number of the players, however,' had just left school. The first Old Boys players to gain representative honours were R. G, Deans, and P. Byrne and next came J. S. Guthrie.

Responses were made by Messrs Geo, Scott, jun., and C. E. Guiney, club captain.

Mr T. Milliken, in proposing the toast of ' 'The Canterbury Rugby Union," said that it was fortunate for players that such a fine body as the Union was in charge of the game. Mr *S. F. Wilson, president of the Union, replying, congratulated the club on the success of its senior fifteen, also on the manner in which its lower grade teams had played during the season. The club had been of great assistance to the Same, and he desired it to be known that he was not opposed to Old Boys' Clubs. There were three or four secondary schools in Christchurch, and in time he hoped to see them all with Old Bovs' Clubs. At the same time, Mr Wilson hoped that those who had attended such schools would see the point of view of those who had not been given the opportunity of doing so and would ■ not squeeze them out of the jrame. In conclusion, Mr Wilson said that lie believed that the conservatism of the English Rugby Union had a great deal to do with the fact of tho game being kept on an amateur basisNo man hated professionalism mora than he did. It was his opinion that the day a Rugby player received a sixpence for his participation in a game, tho death knell of the code would bo sounded.

~-T^ 1 Bey proposed the toast of .Sister Clubs.'' -which was responded to by Messrs R. J\. Masters (Albion), ■ Moloney f'Varsitv).. and hlosswill (Waitaki School Old Boys' Association). Mr 'W. Dallev, captain of the Old coys 1 senior fifteen prooosed the toast of "Tho Referees," Mr J. F. Peake responding. i ms wer © given during the evening by Messrs A. Dev, H. M. Taylor, nnd 1 M Charters." Dr. F. A. A'Court was the accompanist. '