WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 201, 19 May 1908, Page 10

WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

OLD BOYS' DINNER. REMARKS BY HON. G. FOWLDS. The fifteenth annual dinner of the Wellington College Old Boys' Association, held at the Empire Hot-el last ©veiling, was largely attended, and was a most enjoyable function. The President (Mr. M. Myers), in proposing'the toast of " The School, Past, Present, and Future," referred to tlio improve-mont-s made ill the grounds of recent years, and to the large attendance at the school, which now approaches 350. He also alluded to the school's educational and athlctic successes. Mr. W. F. Ward, in the course of his reply, said that the Government, and especially the Minister for Education (the Hon. G. Fowlds), deserved warm thanks for the generosity shown by them in respect of the new building now raising its bead on the hill closo to the old school. He referred to tlio groat numbor of Old Boys who were earning distinction in all parts of the world, and stated that, if all the Old Boys of th« school now in Britain could meet together, they would probably form as large a gathering as their own. On the Old Boys in Wellington ho urged a closer cohesion and unity, and a more vivifying principle in respect of thoir association than they sometimes exhibited.

Dr. Martin, in proposing " Tlio Old Boys' Club," expressed regret that the Old Boys' Social Club was in .a state of decadence,, and hoped that it would-be resuscitated. Mr. S. Jacobs, who responded, said that lie was afraid that tho Social Club had been relegated. to the past. One' reason of this was that it had not received the solid support which it required from the older members, very few of whom had shown even a little interest in its affairs. The President, in proposing " Our System of Eduoation," pr.aised tho system and the opportunities which it presented to one and all. The Hon. G. Fowlds, replying to the toast, said l that' he had been denied tlio privilege of being an old boy, but he was an old boy's father. (Applause.) Partly on that account ho had for several years taken a very warm interest in Wellington : College. It was one of the', pleasant memories of' his official life; 'that he nad been able to remove the previous: opposition between tho Government and tho College governors, and to securo that tho new provision for holders of free places should be incorporated with the school. Ho thought that recent alterations in the educa-tions-system .'had mado'.for its improvement, and they would bo still more beneficial when the Department had removed some of tho first anomalies which, had resulted from certain changes. It was his intention' to. try to adjust tho different parts of the educa-; tion system, so that it might form one complete and harmonious whole. Tho Government had greatly increased tho expenditure, on education in New Zealand during tho past few years, and it would be difficult to point to any part of that expenditure, and say that it had not been justified or that it did not go in tho direction 'of improving tho system. It filled one with surprise to think of the great rapidity with which tho technical branch of the-New Zealand education system had been built up. in the past six years. Ho had no hesitation in saying that no other country in tho world had made such progress as New Zealand in technical education during that period. He did not, mean to say that New Zealand was ahead of the world in respect to that branch, v but'six years ago this country was very far behind in regard to: technical education, and >th« progress made since then bad bpen remarkable. Mr. Fowlds also referred to tho free place system, and to tho new science research scholarships established, bv the Government. ,- ■' The following contributed to the musical: programmeSongs,i : . Messrs.. E. ;H,,-,Parkes, A. R. Ballance. D. A. Kenny, H"*'fc"' Graves,' J. Carr. and B. J. Jacobs: recitation, Mr.;' M. F. Luckio; violin solo, Mr. Piper; qnaiV; tette, Messrs. Carr. Wicks, Wedde, and Ballance. ..Mr. A,. J. Wicks acted as pianist.