BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1920, Page 5

BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

OLD BOYS' ANNUAL MEETING, MEMORIAL QUESTION POSTPONED/ i ■ The annual meeting of the New mouth High School Old .Boys' Associa* tion was held last night, the president i (Mr. JO. i\ Webster) occupying tie chair. In moving the adoption of the report (already published), the chairman re* marked that the Association's activities were growing with the school. He ex- ' pressed the opinion that every boy on leaving school ought to join the Association in order to help in the work. It" was a matter for satisfaction tttat the ■ 6chool classrooms had been extended in ' accordance with the original design. -It« ' would not be long, however, before the ; echool and boarding-house became too •mall to meet the requirements of tbt growing district. It was felt, by old boys that a great) measure <# the ' • school's success was due to Mr. Moyei' ■ untiring efforts. The 4ss<*iati(W ' congratulate the school on their sueetss in the shooting competitions. . • • ~ A very important matter concerning • education in Taranaki, eaid Mr. "Webster, was the question of th* Qpaktf Reserve, containing acres of land, near Waverley, Tils was set aside some years ago for university ' endowment purposes, and it was now reserved for the promotion of higher «lucation in Taranaki. The accumulated funds stood at over £15,000, and as some of the leases would be falling due, within a few years, and the rents would no doubt be increased, there wonld be a good sum available. There hadTbeen *'i an agitation to hare the funds diverted to Wellington, and it behoved everyone interested in secondary education In Taranaki to watch carefully that this valuable endowment was not lost to the province. It would not be long before Taranaki would need the lands. Mr. C. H. Wynyard, in seconding the motion, said he thought the younger old boys must realise the benefit the Association was to them. He made an appeal for greater support to the sports teams by old boys. If they were not members of the team they shouT3 attend to watch the games. It was discouraging to see some spending their time in" Devon Street on Saturday afternoons when they could be better employed in some sports. Mr. A. Bewley, in supporting the remarks of the previous speaker, referred to the trouble which had been expertWeed in getting teams. If boys, on leaving the school, would only continue to take an in y sports each a state of affairs would not exist. In regard to cricket they had nearly enough , old boys to run a second team. The drawback in tdU branch was the lack of suitable grounds ELECTION OF OFFTCEK3. . Officers for the ensuing year were ele«trf as follows:—President, Mr. A. MaeDkrmid; vice-presidents, Messrs P. Jackson and H. H. George; treasurer, Mr. R. H. George; auditor, Mr. A. Avery; joint secretaries, Messr.* R. G. Howell and J. B. ■ Wilson (re-elected) ; committee, Messrs A. Bewley, E. Colson. C. H. Wynyard, P. Atkinson, K, Blundell. is". B. Bellringer, and 0. McHardj^ THE WAR MEMORIAL. The chairman stated that the executive had decided to defer the question of a war memorial for a further twelve months, with a view to obtaining further funds, and also in view of the fact that building was so difficult at present. Even if they were anxious to push on with the memorial in whatever form was decided upon, it would be impossible to get a permit at present The funds in hand totalled £3S7, and •, further £l5O was in hand or had been promised since the statement at accounts had been prepared. With an effort next year it was hoped to reach four figures. The memorial would be one. of the main planks of the executive's work during the coming year. A resolution was passed adopting the recommendation of the executive in favor of keeping the fund open till next annual meeting, when the question will be settled. GENERAL, The question of whether the annual re-union, which has been deferred on two occasions, should be held was before the meeting. It was decided to bold the re-union, the executive to fix the date and decide whether the function should take the form o£ a dinner M ' a smoke concert. j For an Association badge it was decided to adopt a miniature of the school badge, in silver with black and wbi\e enamel facings. / I An enlargement of a photo of an old boys group taken on sports day is to be forwarded to the headmaster of the school (Mr. W. H. .Move,), and also one for the school. Reference waa made by the president . to the good work accomplished by the secretaries (Messrs Howell and Wilson), and he emphasised the importance of young members taking an interest in the Association. It was decided to enter a protest against the proposal of the Defence Department to abolish the dTstinctivo puggarees worn by secondary school cadets. The valuo of the school puggarees as a distinctive mark and in maintaining the esprit de corps among the various schools was regarded as important,.

A liearty vote of thanks was passed to Air. and Mrs. Moves for their efforts on behalf of the Association, The retiring president was accorded a vote of thanks for his work during the year. In reply, Mr. Webster said that although lie was not taking an active part in the Association in the future they would still have his hearty support. An Old Roys' Association, he paid, was an important factor in the life of any secondary school.