“BEST SCHOOL OF ALL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 497, 29 October 1928, Page 14

“BEST SCHOOL OF ALL”

SACRED HEART JUBILEE OLD BOYS’ CELEBRATIONS TRIBUTE TO MARIST BROTHERS Assembling together on Saturday evening, about 300 old boys of the Sacred Heart College, Ponsonby, celebrated the silver jubilee of “the best school of all,” and paid tribute to their old teachers, the Marist Brothers. Yesterday Pontifical High Mass was celebrated at the College, and in the afternoon a reception was held. Old boys and friends of the college gathered first on Saturday afternoon, when the annual college sports were held; but it was at a smoke concert in the evening that the old boys’ part in the celebration began. The school gymnasium was crowded for the occasion, Mr. K. A. Snedden, president of the Old Boys’ Association, being in the chair. Brother Benignus, principal of the college, was in a place of honour next to the chairman. Mr. H. St. Glair Brown and Mr. J. Stanton represented Auckland Grammar School; Mr. G. H. Wilson, King’s College, and Mr. J. J. Butler, St. Patrick’s College. The chairman, in proposing the toast of “The Marist Brothers,” said their chief contribution to the welfare of their fellow creatures was the education of youth. Old boys welcomed the successes of students such as Wilfred Kalauglier, a Rhodes scholar. Last year Auckland’s two Rhodes scholar nominees for the scholarship were old boys, and this year one of Auckland’s nominees was an and a Canterbury College nominee this year was also an old boy. Apart from the scholastic excellence of the training given by the Brothers, there was also training in the Christian virtues, and learning to play the game for the game’s sake. With the Brothers, religion was not a back-

ground for their training; but was the framework with which their training was surrounded. OLD BOYS' COLLEGE ASSET Brother Benignus, rising to reply, was greeted with a storm of applause. He said the main objective of the Marist Brothers was the education of youth—education not only scholastic and physical, but embracing also the moral side of the man. The assembly that night was sufficient proof that their labour had not been in vain. “You old boys are our best asset,” he said, “and the best means of carrying on the good work throughout New Zealand.” Brother Clemens, who also replied, said that old boys, remaining faithful to the religious ideals were giving pleasure to the Brothers, who had to sacrifice much.

The toast of “Kindred Associations” was proposed by Dr. Buxton, the representatives of other schools present making short response. I CROWDED MASS Three hundred old boys gathered at the Pontifical High Mass held at the college yesterday morning. The celebrant was Bishop Liston, and Bishop Cleary, who presided, gave an address on the work of the Marist Brothers. After the Mass the old boys were the guests of the Marist Brothers at luncheon. Many clergy and lay friends of the college were present at the reception in the afternoon, at which speeches concerning the work of the Brothers were given by Bishop Liston, Mr. J. P. Kalaugher and Mr. R. McVeagh.

A dance, to be held at the Click Clack Cabaret this evening, will conclude the celebrations.