WANGANUI COLLEGE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 66, 14 April 1909, Page 2

WANGANUI COLLEGE

LNTERESTLNU ADDKKSS BY THE GOVERNOR..

Bjr Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. •. Tlio celebrations in connection with tin; College continued to-day. In the afternoon Ujril l'lunkct laid Hie foundation stone of tlie new college buildings, which are to cost 00,000. In the course of his speech, the (iovernor said: "It is always a pleasure to me. to show by any means in my power my admiration for the educational system of New Zeahiiid and my profound respect for its masters and its professors. It was, therefore, with peculiar pleasure that 1 found myself invited as His Majesty's representative to take part iu an important occasion in the life of a school which occupies so distinct a place in the education of the youth of this Dominion. 11 is unnecessary for me to dwell upon the advantages of the new buildings the foundation stone of which I have laid to-day. These are evident to anyone who lias inspected the venerable and interesting but somewhat tottering relicts of thi' old school. It is, however, impossible to talk too lightheartedly of the coming disappearance of another link with the history of this institution. Mr. Enipson, who as headmaster during the past twenty years, has raised this school greatly in numbers and raised it far higher still in reputation, now leaves, if not rich i"i years, ricli in honor and the affection of those who have served beneath him. What he (and, 1 may add, Mrs. Enipson) have done for this school most of my audience know far more intimately than mvself. but upon what he has done indirectly for New Zealand and for the Kmpire 1 would venture a few words. So educational department, no system of routine instruction, can produce what has been created in tins school—that definite tone, that subtle atmosphere which distinguishes onr pubI lie schools at Home. It is difficult to define it to those who have not lived in it themselves, but it has been o-.ie of the most important factors in England's glorious past, and it is one of the main bulwarks we still have against the decadence in our race. Pride in Ins school and its old traditions, and jealousy of its honor, respect for religion, for authority, for womenkind, scorn follow thoughts and mean actions, and contempt for the impure minded, the slacker, the coward, the tuft-hunter, or the purse-proud; add to that loyalty to his house and a perfect worship for those who have, won their way into the school cricket or football team, and yon obtain the class of boy the English public schools turn out in thousands. Not perfect, if you like, and wanting. I fear, too often i'n scholarship-hut, after all, as Emerson ventured to write: The ■world's great men have not commonly been great scholars, nor its great scholars great men"-l.ut boys w4vo have been taught not to funk, not to squeal, and have learnt to 'play the game, that is the spirit which, thanks to Mr. Enipson and his assistant masters, the Wanonmii School has so fully imbibed, and as one who believe* it has greatly asnHted in making our Empire, I pay him ami his scholars my respectful tribute. In conclusion, I would only point to the number of old bovs who lliavc flocked together here this week as an evidence of that spirit to which I have referred. It is a fitting tribute to former headmasters, a proper honor to Mr. Empson. and, T am sure, an encouragement to his successor, Mr. Dove." The celebrations concluded to-night, when the annual ball was held. The Old Bovs' subscription list towards the erection of a Jiew chapel has now reached over £2OOO.