WAITAKI OLD BOYS

Evening Star, Issue 22455, 28 September 1936, Page 13

WAITAKI OLD BOYS

OAMARU BRANCH The annual reunion of the Oamaru branch of the Waitald High School Old Boys’ Association attracted only a fair •attendance of members on Saturday night. ; After voicing a few words of welcome the president (Mr J. T. Armstrong) vacated the chair in favour of Dr Lennox Douglas. The gathering was a particularly jolly one, and all entered into tho spirit of the occasion with zest. In referring to tho activities of the Oamaru branch and the advantages of being associated with tho association, Mr Armstrong stated that it was the intention of the executive to endeavour to win more interest among old boys by means of social and other functions, and he-exhorted all present to assist in bringing old Waitakians into the association. Ho drew attention to Founders’ Day, and expressed the hope that this function would be well patronised. The fact that old boys from Dunedin, Timaru, and Christchurch were to be present added interest. In proposing the toast of “ The School,” Mr H. B. M‘Dowell said that to be an old boy of such a school as Waitaki was indeed an honour, as there was no doubt that Waitaki was known in all parts of the British Empire as being a great secondary school. The history of tho school, compiled by Mr K. C. M‘Douald, M.A., was a great compendium of the many interesting events in its progress since its inception in 1883. The Hall of Memories was a very fitting memorial to all those old boys who made the great sacrifice, and he did not think that any other school in the Empire had such a magnificent memorial as Waitaki. Mr M'Dowell concluded by referring to tho splendid record of achievements made by exWaitakians, and remarked that all would be pleased at the honour recently conferred on C. Gillies in being selected for the All Blacks against the Wallabies. In reply, Mr M. K. M'Cnlloch, who represented the school in the absence of tho rector (Mr F. Milner), stated that he had been connected with Waitaki for nearly 30 years, having como to the school in 1907, and he considered that he knew the history of this great institution better than anyone Although it was hot generally recognised, ho was instrumental in bringing Mr Milner to Waitaki. Both he and the x>resent rector were assistants on the staff of the Nelson College, when ho urged Mr Milner to apply for the position. Since then Waitaki had forged ahead, and to-day was recognised ns being one of the foremost secondary schools in the Dominion. 11 The attitude of the masters to the hoys is one of friendship,” said Mr M‘Culloch, in continuation of his reply to the toast of ‘ The School.” Nowhere in New Zealand, ho said, was such an attitude adopted, and lie thought it had a profound effect on the scholars, as it gave them a different outlook and tended to make the boys confide in their masters instead of inducing an attitude of fear. ‘‘Many are under tho impression that Waitaki is a boarding school,” said Mr M'Cnlloch. “ but that is not altogether correct.” Waitaki, he said, was instituted for tho district of North Otago as a secondary school for day boys, and although the boarders had had a preponderance during tho last decade, the fact remained that the school was still an educational institution for North Otago. For this reason, therefore, old boys should rally round their old alma mater, particularly those in this district, and assist in keeping the name of Waitaki to tho fore. A talk by Mr W. H. Wylie on dentistry lent added interest to the proceedings. The following toast list was honoured:—“ The King ” ; “The Association ” (the mayor, Mr M. F. Cooney—Mr A. W. Moss); “ Tho School ” (Mr H. B. M'Dowell—Mr M. K. M'Cnlloch); “ The Masters ” (Dr L Douglas—Mr M. K. M'Cnlloch); “ Tho Harkness Men ” (Mr A. C. Piper—Mr T. L. Roberts). During the evening items were contributed by Messrs L. E. Barsdell and G. Bulleid (violin), and Mr Ewart M'Diarmid (banjo). Community singing, led by Messrs J. T. Armstrong and E. M'Diarmid, was also enjoyed by all. Mr Armstrong also played the accompaniments.