HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1921, Page 8

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. THE ANNUAL GATHERING. ' The annual meeting of the New Plymouth High School Old Boys’ Association was held m the High School assembly hall on Saturday evening, Mr. A. M. Mac Diarmid, president of the association, presiding over a good attendance. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman said that it had been hoped to exhibit the plans of the proposed .memorial at the meeting that evening, but unfortunately the wrong plans had come to hand from Auckland, where they were being prepared, but the right plans should shortly be here. The Old Boys’ badge was now on sale, and he urged all Old Boys to procure one, as it should be considered an honor to wear one. Referring to the activities of the association in sport, he said that the football ehiß, though it had not carried everything before it, had done very well for a young club, w’hile the cricket team ihad also done very well. Speaking of finance, he said the balance was not large, but with their method of obtaining funds it could never be large. The only subscription was ss, paid when a boy left school. There had been some proposals to alter this, but it was thought better to leave it as it was. Under the present scheme a boy paying 5s on leaving school was a member for life, whereas if the subscription were an annual one, and he were to miss paying for a year, ne would no longer be a member. He said that there would be some interesting notes about old boys in the next Taranakian, and he urged all who bad any details aboqt old boys to get in touch with Messrs'. Webster 1 and*' Wilson. He urged on the incoming committee the necessity of compiling a register of the old boys of the school, as before long it might be impossible to get details. He then finally moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, which was seconded by Dr. Fookes. Mr. I’. J. H. White congratulated the executive on the work done during the year. Considering the very difficult year, they had made wonderful strides, and the result had been excellent, especially in connection with the war memorial.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. The president remarked that the work had been done willingly, the executive proving an excellent team. Officers were elected” as follows: —President, Mr. R. H. George; vice-presi-dents', Messrs. A. Bewley ancl.. C. H. Wynyard; hon. auditor, Mr. Whitcombe; lion, secretaries, Messrs. R. G. Howell and J. B. Wilson (re-elected); hon. treasurer, H. W. Kirkhy; committee, Messrs. E. D. Colson, Atkinson Blundell, Doile, L. B. Webster, A. M. Mac Diarmid and Dr. Foohes. In accordance with notice of motion, the rules were altered, so as to include among the objects for which the association was formed, the promotion and encouragement of sports clubs, and also to provide that past and present masters of the school, though not old boys of the school, might bo elated members. In accordance with this altered rule, all past and present masters were elected members. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. and Mrs. Moyes for the willing assistance they had always given the association.

ANNUAL KE-UNION. A SOCIAL GATHERING. After the mee’ting the annual reunion was held, Mr. A. M. MeDiarmid presiding. There were also present: The Mayor (Mr. F. H. Wilson), Messrs W IT Moyes (principal of the school), and staff. 'J. S. box (chairman of the Board of Governors), E Lash (seerctarv). and P. J. H. White (chairman of the Education Board.)

After the usual loyal toast had been enthusiastically honored, a selection was rendered by the school orchestra of some twenty players, under the baton of Master Lomas, one ot the pupils, and their splendid playing proved a revelation to most, ot those present. An undeniable recall was given. "The School" was th&n proposed by Mr. IL R. Rilling, who said a function of this nature made old pupils maintain an interest in the school. Without that interest the school could not progress as it should. The school was established about forty years ago on a very small scale, and thanks to the management of the staff and the Board of Governors the school had changed very much. The early pupils had to struggle against adverse circumstances, hut now the school’s future was very bright. They had a good, position, a good principal, and an staff, also a good Board of Governors. Jt was also satisfactory to note that the school was now known beyond the province. He wished to place on record the excellent work done by Mr. Moyes and his staff (applause), and also by the late principal (Mr. Pridham), to whom all old pupils looked back with affection and respect. In concluding, he a w ain touched on the splendid work done%y Mr. Moyes and the staff, referring to the successes achieved bot U-in the'' school and out of the school. Mr. Moyes, who was greeted with applause on rising to respond, said that this was the only opportunity he had during the year of seeing the old boys together and expressing his appreciation of their interest in the school and support of it. It was very gratifying to know that the school had behind it a body of old boys who recognised its successes and took a pri(Je in its good name. During the past year the school had had a number of successes which he would mention, not with any idea of boasting, but because he Knew the n'd bovs would like to hear of the pro-

the school was making. In the first place the school had grown to be one of the largest boarding schools in the Dominion, and that must bo attriIn,ted largely to the work dore by the Board of Governors, and espeeially the chairman (Mr. Fox), who thongh confronted with tremendous difficulties al-

ter the fire, had succeeoed fl» was shown by the fact that they had erected buildings here to the value of i.1,.<«>o As regards the school jt had been Lied that it was to.,.much devotedl to but he pointed out that last year one’of the pupils at the school had topped the list at the N,Z. Jinuor I m-, versitv Seliolarslnp exam.nation, a,,4 in doin"' SO had put up a record m obtamino higher marks than had ever been ' ‘ 1 .. qnv other scholar in New zXland. Another boy had also qualified for the Taranaki Scholarship. This was to the good worh. done by the

staff', which, he appreciated. It was not generally known that the school carried on university classes, and the advantage of this was shown by the fact that last year the school sent up four boys for a section of their degree examinations, the L.L.B. and B.Sc., and all had got through. In football, the school had been able to beat Nelson substantially, and was now able to compete successfully with other schools. In shooting it had held first place in New Zealand for many years past. Pupils from the school were also doing very well in the universities at Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, and would do further dit to the school. He would admit that the school had faults, but they were doing their best to keep in line with the other big schools of the Dominion. In concluding, he thanked the association for the interest they had taken in the school in the past, and which he was sure they were going to show in the future.

Dr. Fookes, in proposing the toast of “Sister Colleges,” referred to the fact that the school was now able to compete with other colleges on equal terms, and he urged the incoming executive to endeavor to get in closer touch with old boys’ associations of other colleges. Messrs. A. R. Ryder (Christchurch High •School), T. C- Fookes and A. Papps (Nelson College) responded. “Board of Governors” was proposed by Mr. P. J. H. White, who said that he extended to the chairman (Mr. Fox) in all his difficulties in managing affairs as between the Board and the Department, his heartfelt sympathy. The board had had considerable difficulty in obtaining the necessary Government assistance for educational matters in New Plymouth. He was pleased, however, that the board had apparently got into a better financial position. He paid a tribute to the work of the board, considering that the school was fortunate in having such a capable body at the head of its affairs, and he could assure them that they had the support of the association behind them. Mr. J. S. Fox (chairman of the Board), in responding, said the financial position was very sound. Though they had no money “to splash,” with careful administration during the next few years they should be able to effect furthei - improvements. He said that the credit for this position was largely due to the careful administration of the previous chairman (Mr. L. C. Sladden) and the secretary (Mr. E. Lash). He thank-

ed the old boys for all they had none in the past; but for their assistance it was possible that they could not had the fine room they were in that night. He also paid a tribute to the work of old boys in connection with the memI orial gates and asked them to give their assistance in having a suitable gymnasium established at the school. In conclusion he expresed his thanks to Mr. I Moyes for instilling manliness into the youth of the district. Undoubtedly Mr. Moyes had ‘‘made” the school,, which was now known ■'‘throughout New Zealand. Mr. F. E. Wilson (Mayor of New Plymouth) expressed gratification at noting the pride and loyalty towards the school that its old scholars displayed, and also the splendid manner in which they co-operated with the board in the welfare of the school. He urged them to carry this co-operation into their municipal life and it would not be long before the Old Boys’ Association would be addressed by a mayor who was an old boy of the school. He referred to the approaching visit of the Governor to the district, announcing that the school and ibs beautiful grounds had been chosen as the place for the official wnionmp and he honed the members of

the association would co-operate in making it a fitting one. Other toasts were “Absent Old Boys, proposed by the chairman; “The Ladies,” proposed by Mr. ‘E. D. Colson, and responded to by Mr. G. Bertrand; “Sports and Pastimes,” proposed by Mr. R, H. Quilliam and responded to by Messrs. A. Bewley and C. H. Wynyard; "The Press,” proposed by Mr. L. B. Webster. Mr. T. C. List, in proposing the health of the chairman, urged members of the association to make the school the foundation or the public life in the town by taking a prominent part in public affairs after they had left school. He also urged them to take up the matter of the provision of a gymnasium for the school, pointing oat that they would get plenty of assistance from friends of the school. The toast was most enthusiastically honored. During the evening an excellent programme was interspersed between the speeches, i*tems being .contributed by .Messrs. R. Cocker, A. Brooker, A. MacDiarmid, Butler, R. N. Renaud, Hill, Bellringer and Dr. Fookes, all feeing encored. Mr. N. Bellringer was accompanist.