Scholarship Winner From Aberdeen Welcomed

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1949, Page 2

Scholarship Winner From Aberdeen Welcomed

The Otaki Shield winner, Mr. Ian Rettie, was a visitor to Otaki on Thursday and was giveh an enthusiastic reception. AccOmpanying him were Mr. Beresford, of the : Internal Aff airs Departrnbnt, and Mr. Andrew Hamilton, head prefect of Scots College, Wellington, where Otaki shield winners are made to feel at home during their sojourn in New Zealand. On arrival the party was met by the Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore, and the town clerk, Mr. Alex. Wilsoh, and their visit officially commenced when they were shown the Maori Church. . Rev. P. Temuera explained much of the historical toackground of the buiiding and J^.lis--teners evinced the keenest ,ihtei>After luncheon as the guests .of the Mayor and_ Mayoress, ; .the visitors met pupils of the * Otaki State and Convent Schools in the State school grounds. Thev were •met and we comed hy .the chairm^n of the school committee, ..Mrl.Hl Tayior, the headmaster, Mr. O; H. E. Yates, and the staff of, the school..

Mr. Rettie was keenly lisvenea. to when addressirig pupils. He said; ne fully appreciated the hpnour of. being seiected as the scholarship winner and thanke'd all for their welcome and hospitality. The visitor further won the admiratibn of his audience hy answerlng all manner of questions addressed to him. • " * : . At the request, of Mr. Yates, $Ir." Rettie planted an oak tree; Iri* the sehcol grounds, Mr,- Yatbs stabing that it was the school's wish that' a permanent link be established between Robert Gordon College, Aberdeen, Scotland, which anntial-^ ly donated the Otaki Shield, and the Otaki State School.

Civic Function. Later the party was entertained at afternoon tea in the Council rchambers, where a representatfVe gathering assembled to 1 welcome Ithe distinguished visitor.' Mr. Atmore read communications frorti the principal of the Robert Gordon Codege, enclosing photographs of | the twelve previous winners .of tlie i Otaki Shield, five of whom had visited these shores. , - Mr. Atmore extended a welcome on behaif of the citizens of Otaki and district to the visitors, and expressed the wish that Mr. Rettie woffid be-so1 favourably impressed that if ever he left Scotland he. would make New Zealand his future

home. Mr. Atmore recalled havini*' had the privilege of sampling "that most de.ightful Scottish hospital--ity" during 1914-18. He was pleasedto see the gratifying attendance present to welcome "this lad, so pre-eminent in character and leadership," who had been seiected from a college which housed 1000 pupils, acjded the speaker. Rev. P. Teniuera extended 'a wel-. come on behalf of his Maori pepple to "this stranger from the dis.tant horizon," and eongratulated him on his achievement in winning the award. Mr. Temuera then explaihed the meaning of Otaki. 'X Mr. O. H. E. Yates expres$£4>;his pleasure at being privileged.i.pt;be associated with ithe welcome; Mnd trusted the guest wou'd . haYe' -a happy stay, and take back pleasant memories of his visit. He added that throughout the coming years future visitors from Aberdeen could have their photographs taken under the oak planted by Mr. Rettie at the school. Mr. G. Hast stated that he had been associated with the shield donor, Captain Bissett-Smith. as a junior naval officer in 1902, until he went down with his ship, the Otaki. 1 He added that the ship could be replaced, "but never the man. We can do With men of yoilr scholastic ability," continued Mr. Hast, in ex-

pfessing- the wish that Mr. Rdttid might one day c'onsider returniiig- ; tb New Zealand, adding- that : where ver; he .settled he would carfyt with him. the best Vishbs. of all as^p 'sqciated .with t.he welppme,. . .. . • ; "There is np gfeater. tie of fellowship .than that _ r'between thel •timted.Kihgdpm and New Zealand,": said lilr'. .Rettie when , expressifigj his- thanks fpr 'the tnarvellous Wel-; come..- "We look upon New Zea-^ land as ;a' countty very much like. our - own, with the same kind. of .people', a'ndl the same kind of " iovei for. the -Mothef Country... . U . "Everyone . iri Scotland seems to. have- a friehd in New Zealand,'' the. speaker adjded. He stated that it had . been a joy to learn . the his-" tor'y of the Maori .Church and the drigin of the word .Otaki' . .

. "Scots ^College looks forward to fche" annual visits of the Otaki ■Shield' winners with -the saih| erithusiasm as Otaki apparently does," .said Mr. Hamilton, in exIpressing thanks for the hospitality extended. "Your welcome' here and" at the school has- been most iriipres.sive, and it is a splendid . omen f or a successful tour."- . . - , v ^ Mr. . Beresford, thanked • the: M!ayoi', town' clerk, and all whp had shown co-'6peration and kindness, The hi'gh standard of the lads that were visiting ' New Zealand had meant that.. his department now plarined a larger itinerary. " ; The gathering concluded after Mr. Hast. had moved "a vote of thanks to Mr.. Atmore, after which a social chat.was enjoyed, maiiy commenting favourably .on the delightfully decorated tables,. spring buibs and irises predominating. ,