OLD BOYS' REUNION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 739, 12 August 1929, Page 14

OLD BOYS' REUNION

GRAMMAR SCHOOL JUBILEE PROMINENT CITIZENS PRESENT Nearly 500 past scholars of the Auckland Grammar School attended the annual reunion of the Old Boys' Association held in the Masonic Hall, Princes Street, on Saturday evening. Many prominent citizens, who had been to Grammar in the early days of the school, were present, as well as a large number of the younger generation. “The school is very deep rooted in the life of the city,” said the president, Mr. A. St. C. Brown, in proposing the toast of “The School.” “It is the fountain of the waters of youth and we look to the school to send into the community a yearly supply of young men trained in the best ideals and ready for citizenship in the highest sense. ’ With due respect to those gentlemen who were sending their sons to boarding schools in other parts of the country, he would suggest their education could be just as well advanced in the Auckland Grammar School. “I am sure the headmaster and the present boys will be interested to hear how tremendously impressed old boys were who visited the school this afternoon,” Mr. Brown said, amid applause. There is one thing in connection with this anniversary that has not yet been touched upon.” he continued, and that is the wonderful spirit of brotherhood existing between the Maori race and ourselves. Many Maoris have passed through the school and we have always regarded them as brothers." Mr Brown remarked that many well-known families had contributed to the school roil and several foundation members were present with their sons. In reply, the headmaster. Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, who was accorded an ovation, said that he had been associated with the school for 32 years as a master and five as a boy, so his connection embraced a large part of its history. The school existed for a number of purposes, of which the chief was the making of good citizens imbued with high ideals. “I think when I see this fine assembly that ours is a school to be proud of,” said Mr. Mahon, amid applause. “We have turned out men of standing and character and this is due to the efforts of the school staff. It is because of this we have been able to make such an impression upon the city. We have at the school just as fine hoys as those who have gone forth,” the headmaster said w..h a note of affection.

Mr. J. Stanton, who proposed the toast of “Kindred Associations." ■warmly welcomed the representatives of other schools. They included representatives from the old boys’ associations of the Mount Albert Grammar School, King’s College, Sacred Heart College, Christ’s College, the Seddon Memorial Technical College, and Nelson College. Mr. F. W. Gamble, headmaster of the Mount Albert Grammar School, said in reply that his school was the same at heart with the parent school and lived in the same traditions. He referred to the pleasure which he had experienced in visiting the old school and meeting old boys who had passed through his hands during his term as a master there.

Representatives of the above-men-tioned associations also replied and offered congratulations. An orchestra under Mr. T. Sparling gave several items and vocal and elocutionary numbers were given by old boys. One particularly appreciated was a song written by Mr. O. W. H. Sinclair for the occasion and sung by a master, Mr. K. Dellow.