AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 214, 19 December 1910, Page 2

AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

At the "break-up" ceremony at the New Plymouth High School on Friday, Mr. X. K. 'MacDiarmid, chairman of the Board of Governors, repeated the advice given by the Duke of Portland at the breaking-up of a grammar school in England. He said: "'Always be chivalrous and broad-minded; always be temperate, for intemperance is not only disgusting but a very stupid vice. Don't bet, and don't gamble, because if you do it will surely ruin you in the end. I have now been connected with the turf and racink for nearly 30 years, and I tell you candidly that during that time I have known no one who consistently went on betting or staking money on horses, but in the long run found himself very much the worse for having done so. Above all, always run straight, no matter what may happen. Be bold, be noble in whatever you do in life, and do not forget that everyone, no matter what his position may be, owes some part of his life, some part of 'his strength, some part of his brains, to the service of his country." At the breaking-up ten years ago, continued the chairman, he endeavored to show what determination and perseverance would do, and gave as an example the manner in which Colonel Davies had, step by .step, fought his way upwards. Twelve months before that he had gone to South Africa as a captain, and had risen rapidly to be major, and subsequently lieut.-colonel. Mr. McDiarmid said he had known Mr. Davis when he was a surveyor at Inglewood, and ttere he had always admired his thoroughness as a volunteer. He had always played the game as if he meant it, was never half-hearted in anything he took in hand, and it .had not surprised the chairman that he was now brigadiergeneral on £IOOO a year, honored by ihis King and country. His military career had been most unique, and as it might be interesting to the cadets, he gave the following record: He joined the Hawera Mounted Rifles as a trooper on April 10, 1893, became sergeant on February 14, 1894, lieutenant October 20, 1804, captain June 24, 1895, major September, 1,899, lieut.-colonel December, 11900, inspector-general, 1906, and briga-dier-general in 1010.. (Applause.) In his well-merited promotion they all rejoiced, but he wished them all to understand that that promotion was gained only by industry, perseverance and thoroughness. Genius was only a capacity for taking pains, and doing the right thing at the right time. "Once to every man and nation, Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side. Then it is the brave man chooses, While the coward stands aside, Doubting in his abject spirit, Till his Lord is crucified."