GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1919, Page 7

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

OLD GIRLS' ASSOCIATION. Owing to pressure on our spaco we woro unablo to publish on Monday a fuli report of nil the speeches at the re-union of the Old Ulrla Association 0 f the Now Plymouth High School. i»%5 Drew > 011 to Tespond to the toast oi lha Teachers Past and Present," met with such prolonged applause that it amounted to an ovation. Replying for the past toucuers she said: "It Is most noticeable to mc that to many here a number of the past teachers must be names only, but names which are to bo held in honor and respect as pioneers of education In Taranaki, As such they must evoke our interest, but the kind words that have been said about them show that they havo not been forgotten by those who knew them. It they were present and could hear those words it would he a source of cheer and encouragement to know that the work they had done amongst you had not been forgotten This is certainly not a llmo to indulgo in a eulogy of these teachers, but perhaps it would not be out of place to mention the principals, who, like the stars, differ from each other : In glory. Mr. Fridharu was the first head and 1 was for 30 years Principal, leaving his impress on ail those who had the privilege of his guidance. They could not help but feel better ana wiser for that happy experience. I do not know any bettor words than those of Anthony to Brutus, ''His life was initio and the elements (so mixed in him that nature might stand up) and say to all the world unit was n man." Miss Grant lived with us for about 17 years and we remember her not only for her exceptional ability but also for her most kindly disposition and keen interest in the boys and girls of her time, although of course, the girls were not allowed to take any Interest in the boys. (Lnitghtor) Miss Hodges was with us only a short time and those who were with her had only begun to realise her worth. Sho will bo very heartily wolcomed by nit tho girls who were under licr. I wish they could all be here to see for themselves the development of tlio school of which, to a great extent, they made the history. Miss Elsie Andrews. In proposing "The Pioneers," aald: I du not think mere has been a more diffident speaker to-night than I am in proposing tills toast. I <lO not mind speaking about tho Old Girls' Association, but the word "pioneer" has always soemed to me one of the most thrilling words In our language". X remember some few years ago a competition was held in England to try and discover by popular vote the ten prettiest words In tho English language. "Melody" was one of tho words, but for words with tho greatest depth of meaning, "pioneer" must have been one. It breathes of adventurß, romance, danger, hardship, privation, loneliness, all faced with dauntless spirit, matchless courage and endurance, with hearts and minds attuned 10 the future in tho distanco when thoso who lived after would reap from tile seed sown, lives of comfort and ease, and to thoso who live here in Taranaki tho word carries special significance, as descendants of men and women from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, who landed here so many years ago. It. has always seemed to mo such a pity, such a mistake. that with history crying out fan nory hill and valley around lis, we learn practically nothing of it in our schools. Roys and girls know all about the Battle of Rnnnockburn and tho Rill of Rights, but tlioy know ;tothIng, or practically nothing, of their home town and province. To mo that seems like going to your neighbour to get flowers instead of flvst enjoying the blooms In your own gnrden. 1 should like to tell yon a ilt'Jr- nbiut the hard time that our parents and grandparents had when tlie.v catre to this country, but time will not permit. But I do not think we can do too much honor to that fastdiminishing band of men and women who hii» mado tli •; cjiiii ry what it is to im. Airs Hx, In r« T«iid.!y. snlcl: Mlsj An drews has not. said very much about the brave spirit that made our brave sires leave the old country where they had every comfort and looked forward to a peaceful old age. I can hardly imagine a more noble thing than to set forth in a sailing vessel, with no prospect of their journey being ended in less than months, and having to take with them enough fond for tho journey and for some timo after they landed, since a vessel only called once in six months. 1 think that In these days when we have every comfort, wo can hardly realise what these grand old people went through to establish homes for us in this country, and It seems to me a tremendous responsibility rests with us that we may go on with tlio same brave spirit of our ancestors t" make t,.is coui.tr "t.uVs Own rt,«»««•.