ROSS HEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1922, Page 1

ROSS HEWS.

UNVEILING CEREMONY. fOur own correspondent.) A function of local interest took place at the Ross school on Friday afternoon last, 20th inst. The occasion was the unveiling of a portrait of tile late Win Winchester, Esq., ex-head* master of the Ross school, together with pictures of His Royal . Highness the Prince of Wales and John Travers Cornwell, the boy V.C. , There was a good attendance of scholars and adults, among whom, were many relatives of the late headmaster, his Worship the Mayor and .Mrs. Evans, the members of the School Committee and' staff.

Mr 11. Owners, Chairman of tin 1 •School Committee, who presided, in opening apologised for the absence of Hr J. Muir, a member of the Committee. and said those present were aware that the primary object of the gathering was the unveiling of the late Mr Winchester’s portrait which had been subscribed for by the staff and scholars of the school. He expressed pleasure at the presence of Mrs Winchester and Mr and Mrs J. C. Macfarlance, Messrs A. and 0. Winchester, Miss T. Winchester, relatives of the deceased gentleman. As they all knew, the late Mr Winchester had been headmaster of the local school for the long term of 33 _ years. He recalled the arrival of Mr Winchester in Ross, then a man in the prime of life, tall, soldierly, a mu i whom the hoys regarded with the utmost respect. His interests were many extending to the field of sport. Especially was he devoted to cricket and swimming, and there were many who had the kindliest recollections of their association with him in those spheres The portrait it was his privilege to unveil would take tho mind hack to flioso days especially. Ho deemed it the late gentleman’s due that mention should ho made of the careers of some of his old omuls. There were amongst them Mr F. IV. Furkett now Engineer-in-chief to the N.Z. Government, Rev W. .T. Lookington. a distinguished churchman. Mr A. Trnversi, Gov. Actuary. Those names were sufficient to indicate tho value of the late master’s work. An ex-chairman of the School Committee, Mr T. W. Bruoe had wired as follows: “Regret unable attend to-day to honour tho memory of your late Schoolmaster. He was '■ n excellent teacher, friend and counsellor to many hoys and girls in Ross besides lieing one of nature’s gentlemen.” Mr Osmers said he was confident the sentiments expressed would be endorsed bv those present. He then unveiled tin' portrait. ITis Worship the Mayor (5. j - Evans. Esq.) sneaking in support, said ] )c was pleased to lie present on such an occasion, especially as lie was pro--I,ably the oldest ex-pupil present, having been under the late Mr Winchester 39 years ago. Ho could testifv to the esteem in which they had all lield the deceased gentleman. Mr Winchester had displayed those qualities that marked him out as a good citizen and a sterling man. The scholars then sang “Crossing the Bar.” a favourite of tho late Mr Winchester’s.

Afr Osmers said Iris next duty. "as in connection with tlic portrait of 11. It .IT. the Prince of Wales and his fnseimile letter to the hoys and girls of New Zealand. Tlie idea underlying the presentation of the picture to the school was the inculcation of practical patriotism and loyalty to the throne. Tn unveiling the picture and the accompanying letter he felt they could not do better than have the Prince’s message read, Afiss Aturion

•Jones, one of tlie senior girls, carrying this duty out very pleasingly. The i children then sang “God Bless the i Prince of Wales.” i The unveiling of the third picture, 1 a realistic portrayal of John Travers 1 Cornwell; V.C., at his gun on H.M.S. ' “Cllester” during the battle of JutI land, was then proceeded with. [ Mr Osmers said that • they had the i Christchurch, branchb of the Navy League to tharilc for the handsomeipiejture. Referring to the noble example of patriotism it. depicted, he trusted jit would!'serve to kindle and keep aflame in the hearts of the- rising generation, the spark of love for King and 'country. The-Headmaster (Ml .C. At Boyle) in simplementing the Chairman’s remarks said that their last picture had been of the Prince of Wales. He thought that this one might aptly be termed the Prince of Courage, a worthy subject of so worthy a prince. The name of John Travers Cornwell was one to bo conjured with—a. name full of the hinngie that attaches to a hero. Cornwell had been a superb and wondrous example of youthful bravery and his picture was emblematic of all , that was magnificent in human kind. It breathed the lion-hearted courage of the British sailor no less than the splendid devotion to duty of an English child. The facts of the deed that won him the V.C. sent the blood surging to the heart. In the officinl language of Sir David Beatty’s despatch those facts were: “Mortally wounded early in the action bo nevertheless remained standing alone at a most exposed post. ! ouietly awaiting orders, till the end of the action, with the gun’s crew dead and wounded all round him. His age was under 16?- years. I regret that he has since died, but T recommend his case for special recognition in justice to bis memoryy and as an . acknowledgment of the high example sot hv him.” What a glorious inspiration the story of that grand self-sacrifice was Like Sliackleton, John Travers Cornwell had had the invincible perseverance that cried, “Never for the lowered banner, never the, lost endeavour” the purpose that knew not fear. John Oxenham had embalmed in poetry the undying story of his heroic bravery. “Britain, las proud of such, a son I Deathless the fame that he has won. •Only a boy—but such a one! Standing for ever to his gun ; There -was the, duty to he done- — And lie did it.”

(Applause)

The assemblage then rose and sang with spirit “The S«a is Britain s Glory.”

His Worship the Mayor then took the opportunity of formally handing over to the school committee a German machine gun captured by the New Zealanders during the late war. Its presence in the school would, he hoped, keep green the memory of the tre-

.mendous sacrifices made in the war in itbe cause of peace. It would remind those who passed through the school that, their heritage—this freedom that had been so dearly won—carried with it great responsibilities ; they had to ibe worthy of it by living useful and upright lives. Only in that way could the Empire remain great. , The Chairman of the School Committee said he had much pleasure in accepting on behalf of his committee, the gun. It would be, placed in the school and he knew that tho lesson it was to teach would be,firmly implanted in the minds of the children. The singing of “God Save the King” brought the function to a close. ROSS STATE SCHOOL. SECOND TERM, 1922. ; HONOURS LIST. Standard Six: (max. marks, 575). David Thorpe, 461, 1; Joyce Denia, 406, 2; Robert Chalmers, 396, 3; Howard Muir, 370, 4; Marion Jones, 356, 5. ; Standard Five, (max', marks, 575). Frances Chapman, 432, 1; Henry Tiliele, 405, 2; Percy Murdoch, 398, 3; Peter Lucas, 368, 4‘; Andrew Hedwig, 349, 5. 1 Standard Four, (max. marks, 5(5). Flora Thomson, 366, 1; Dora Whitehead, 341, 2; Jim Jones. 340, 3; Phil Ollerensliaw, 319, 4; Alice Fellows, 311, 5. , Standard Three (max. marks 525). — Rita Thiele, 359, 1; Winnie Chalmers, 351, 2; Myra Upjohn, 319, 3. Standard Two, (max. marks. 375). — Aubrey Teague, 299, 1 ; John Chalmers 284, 2; Jessie Denia, 283, 3; Jack Jones, 268, 4 ; Petty Ollerenshaw, 254, 5; George Mason, 241, Vincent Chapman, 241, 6; Andrew Mason 225, 7. Standard One, (max. marks, 375). — James Lucas, 295, 1 ; Annie Hamilton. 257, 2; Sid Upjohn, 246, 3; Ena Thiele 245, 4; Ella Deakin, 234, 5; May Deakin, 232, 6: Frank Ollerenshaw, 225, 7.

Infants, P. 4, (max. marks, 125). — Archibald Gardiner, 101, 1 : James Mitchell, 98, 2; Alexander Bpchanan, Do, Mary Thorpe, 95, 3; Robert Wilson, 94, 4. P. 3. (max. marks 125). —James Thomson, 87, 1. P. 2, (max. marks 125). —Verda Jones, 99, 1; Thomas Kennedy. 95, 2. P. I.—Alarie Hopgood 1, William "Deakin 2, Frederick Hamilton 3.