CHRIST’S COLLEGE OLD BOYS SAY GOODBYE TO MASTERS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29518, 20 May 1961, Page 12

CHRIST’S COLLEGE OLD BOYS SAY GOODBYE TO MASTERS

A tribute to the service given to Christ’s College by two of its masters, Mr T. W. C. Tothill and Mr H. E. Solomon, was the attendance of more than 700 at a function organised by the Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association last evening. Old boys, and their wives and partners filled the memorial dining hall at the college to say farewell to the two masters, whose aggregate service at the college was more than 77 years. Both retired at the end of last year.

Mr A. I. Cottrell, president of the Old Boys’ Association, said that when Mr Solomon joined the staff in 1920 he brought with him the glamour of one who had served in the First World War, when to pupils the struggles of war were something glorious and decent. In his 40 years with the school he had left a lasting impression on pupils he had taught. He treated his pupils as men and as equals, and expected them to follow that precept. Along with Archbishop West-Watson, Mr Solomon was the only person to be elected an honorary life member of the Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association who had not attended the school, said Mr Cottrell. That was significant appreciation of the standing he had with the old boys. Mr Cottrell said that Mr

Tothill had spent nearly all his life at Christ’s College. At school he had an outstanding record. He was head of the school, a member of the first eleven, scoring a century against Boys’ High School, and a member of the first fifteen.

As a master he gave a lifetime of service to the school, and his influence on the many thousands of pupils who came under his direction would be always his greatest service to the school. Mr Tothill said that in replying to Mr Cottrell’s address he felt very much as the captain of the Wes: Indies cricket team (F, M. Worrell) felt after the fifth test against Australia—except that where Worrell’s face was covered with lipstick on that occasion, he had

not received the same recognition as yet. He said that he had enjoyed his 37 years at the school, and if he had to start his career over again he would have no hesitation in following the same teaching life. Mr Solomon said that although he had now left the school his home was still open to any old boy who wanted to visit him. His 40 years at Christ’s College had been his whole life and he could not have wished for a better 40 years.

Mr Tothill and Mr Solomon were presented by Mrs Cottrell with silver salvers inscribed with the school's crest, and their wives were presented with sprays by Mrs C. Rattray, wife of the secretary of the association.