LORD RUTHERFORD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 January 1931, Page 2

LORD RUTHERFORD

ADDRESS AT'NELSON COLLEGE RECALLED One of the most inspiring gatherings' during Lord Rutherford’s visit to Nelson in 1925 was oil the occasion of his address tc Ihe pupils of both colleges in the Assembly Hall of Nelson College. Dr. S. A. Gibbs who presided said lie was sure all present would look back on that day—even when they were old men and old women. It was a day on which they were privileged to hear the most famous scientist of the world. Lord Rutherford was accorded a greatreception. lie said it .was a long time since he was a boy at the school, but the years had passed with great vapidity. lie could quite well recall many of His experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant. The number of pupils, attending then was very much less than now, and it was good to look round and see the great development that had taken place. Phis progress was a great tribute to past and present masters, who li.-wl succeeded m making the school what it was, attracting as it did scholars from all parts of New Zealand. It was wonderful the number of distinguished men and women this small town of Nelson had produced. Continuing, the speaker said he had spent three years at Nelson College, and lie believed be was bead of the school when he left. That was thirtysix years ago. and it was pleasant io find one of his nephews of some importance in the school io-day. (Applause). He recalled former associates at school particularly mentioning Mr Major (then Principal of King's College. Auckland), and Mr C. H. Broad (Principal of Nelson Collegel. He reminded those present that the nature and character of the school depended on the character of the teachers. When he looked back he could say he was very fortunate in. those old days. His old Principal (Mr Ford) had had a profound influence on him, particularly in a literary direction. He also paid a great tribute to Mr Littlejohn, now Principal of Scots College, Melbourne. Mr Broad had also come under those influences, and a fine spirit still permeated the school. The gieat thing, said Lord Rutherford was for boys and girls early to acquire a keen appreciation of good literature, and to get into the habit of reading good literature. There was nothing that would broaden the outlook of men and women as lire study of literature. The speaker said he was glad to see his old friend. Miss I-ori-mer there

Proceeding, he said they had no doubt, been told that a school was largely for the development of character and that the acquiring of information was oidv secondary. While it was. of course, ‘important- to acquire information, the real purpose was to teach them to think, think properly, and form a sound judgment on a matter. It was relatively unimportant what subject was taught for that purpose. In the old days Latin and Greek had been taught, and to a certain extent there was a great deal in it, but boys and girls differed greatly in their special abilities—some being gifted for mathematics and some on tlie literary side. The great thing was a combination of the two. Then there was. the need for concentration. Whatever they took up they should do as well as they could, and not just well enough to escape censure. |iho welfare of the State more and more demanded on the part of the people cor-, tect reasoning and concentration of mind on the prolTlems that arose. In concluding, Lord Rutherford said ho would like to ask the Head Master and the -Head Mistress whether something could be done to recognise the occasion. (Applause). “You have so rapidly seized the point. They no doubt know what I am referring to. But he did not leave the inatter at that. He asked whether a holiday could be given on some suitable occasion. It would give him as much pleasure as he was sure it would give them. His visit to Nelson had been most pleasant. He wished the boys and girls every happiness and success in their future life s work. . p % Further ringing cheers were given _foi Lord Rutherford before the gathering dispersed.