FIFTY YEARS OLD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1826, 12 August 1913, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS OLD.

OTAGO IJIGH SCHOOL. THE JUBILEE CELEBRATED, The fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of tho Otago Boys' High School, Duuedin, was celebrated by old boys resident in Wellington at a dinner, held last night in Godber's rooms. The Hon. A. L. Herdman, Attorney-General (himself an old boy), presided and was supported by other prominent ex-pupils of the school, including the Hon. H. D. Bell, K.C. (Minister for Internal Affairs), who attended the school in its first year, and was dux for iivo years in succession. About I'JO Old Boys of tho ssliool attended; Apologies for absence were received from several prominent Old Boys, including Mr. Jfoel Buchanan, dux of the school in 1863, and Mr. J. W. Salmond, K.C Solicitor-General, also Mr. W. J. Morrell present rector of the school. ' ' In proposing tho toast of "Tho School," the chairman expressed regret that lio had not been present at the recent celebrations in Dunedin. Tho Dunediu and Wellington functions would' have a great influence on the school. (Hoar hear) The recent celebrations had shown that in >,ew Zealand wc wero now makin» history, and lvad traditions to keep up" Boys had been going out to all parts of the world, carrying with t'liom tiie fame oi (heir native land and of their school The days were passing when tho people of Aew Zealand would look to t'>o history of their forefathers. They would look to the history of their own land, New Zeaatid. ihd public schools of Great Britain had had a great effect on tlio lils°i ¥ m P i I re - I'he boys had earned tho principles and the traditions ot these schools wherever they had gone It was a great thing for them to meet together 'after so Imany years. (Applause.) He was oonfident that the boys who would leave the school in the future would be worthy of tho traditions of its past.

Response was made by Mr. C. E. Statham, M.P. The speaker referred to the recent celebrations in Dunedin, which he said had been most enthusiastic and most impressive. Mr. Statham indulgcd in some interesting rGiujni c ccnc&s of tho old days. He UKed all Old Boys to fake an interest in tlieir school, and expressed his pleasure that so .many of them sent their own sons to be educated there. (Hear, hear.) Mr. P. S. K. Macassey proposed the toast of "Tho Old Masters." Ho- told many diverting stories of the relations between boys and masters. AH the Old Boys of the school heartily appreciated what the masters had done for them. To their efforts was duo what was best in tho traditions of tho school. (Hear hear.)

Mr. G. M. Thomson, M.P., who was Ecienoe master at the school for' thirty years, responded. Ho said that during his term sixty-eight masters had passed through the school. Tho present staff of the school was comprised of splendid fellows, who wero maintaining its best traditions. Tho tone of the school had always been good, manly, and clean. Tho history of tho school was an epitome of the history of Otago. Mr. J. O'Shea proposed the tonst of "Tho Boys of the Old Brigade''—the first pupils of tho school. Response was made by three Old Boys who were present on the day tho school 6poned, August 3, 18G3—Hon. T. W. Hislop (exMayor of Wellington), • Mr. James Mackenzie (Surveyor-General), and Mr. John Mackay (Government Printer). Mr. Hislop said that when tho school was founded, the pioneers of Otago. were passing through, a very discouraging time, and tho success of their efforts was a great tributo to thoir energy and foresight. • The school had been cradled in criticism and dissension, but it had survived tho troublous times, and established a reputation unenualled in the Dominion.

Mr. Graham H. Turton,. who proposed tho toast of "Absent' Olil Boys," spoke of tho feelings of affection retained by all the pupils of the school for tho school and its scholars. The boys of the school who had gone abroad had done a great deal to spread tho fame of New Zealand in all parts of the world, and had sot an example of citizenship which was tho greatest and the best lesson they had learnt. Mr. T. O'Shea responded.

Mr. .T. -Mallard proposed th« toast of "School Athletics." - A boy's health, ho said, was more important to him than any scholarship to which lis might attain. Response was made by Messrs. A. A. Marryntt, R. M. Isaacs, and .T. Owen. The toast of "Visiting Old Boys" was, proposed by Mr. Geo. Facho. Some of the Old Boys present had *i;«do great sacrifices in order to attend and everyone was pleased to see them. The traditions of the school had'done a preat deal to keen its Old Boys "straight." (Hear, he.^r.) Response was mode by Mr. ,T. H. Park (Thmedin). E. Webster (Duticdini, B. E. Murphy (Feilding), and J. Moodie (Masterton). •

A long musical programme was gone though, and one of the school songs was sung with great enthusiasm.