BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1921, Page 6

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. SUCCESSFUL YEAR’S WORK. [ PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The annual breaking-up ceremony and ' distribution of prizes in connection with ' the New Plymouth Boys’ High School : took place in the school assembly 1 hall I last night. There was a large attend ! a nee of parents and old boys, besides i many friends of the school, a striking • tribute to the regard in which the school | is held. The proceedings throughout I were of a most enthusiastic nature. ; On the stage were Sir Bassett Edwards. the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Mr. J. S. Fox (chairman of the Board of Governors), and Mrs. Fox. memoers of the Board of Governor?, Mr. E. Lash (secretary of the board), Mr. T. J. H. | White (chairman of the Education I Board). Mr. R. George (president of th? Old Boys* Association), and Mrs. G 'orge, the principal of the school (Mr I W. H. Moyes), and members of his staff. The ladies were presented with i bouquets. The proceedings were opened by the I singing of the National Anthem, to the > accompaniment of the school orchestra I (under G. Lomas, one of the pupils) I The orchestra also played several selec- • tions during the evening, whilst the •■ boys gave a vigorous and tuneful ren- : dering of their school song, “Forty J Years On,” the solo part being taken ■ by G. Lomas. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. 'The chairman of the Board of Gov- ' ernors (Mr. J. S. Fox) expressed his pleasure at such a representative gath- ' ering. The school appreciated this as ■ a token of the interest taken in its • work. He had to apologise for the absence that evening of Sir Andrew Russell. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Messrs. O J. Hawken and E. Dixon, M.P.’s, and the following members of the Board oi Governors: Messrs. S. G. Smith, M.P., L. A. Nolan, E. P. Webster, and F. W. Atkinson. The past year had been most successful for the school, and he took the opportunity of thanking the principal and staff for the great interest they had taken in the school. It was quite a ' pleasure, the speaker said, to be associated with Mr. Moyes, of whom it could be said he was at least one live man in thjs centre. (Applause.) The speaker had always admired the way in which the principal had instilled into the boys the spirit of true manliness. Mr. Fox said the board had to thank the Minister of Education for, amongst other things, granting funds for the establishment of a hospital for boarders. The chairman regretted that Mr. A. R. Ryder was leaving the school, having j been appointed to the position of senior ; science master at the Auckland Gram- I mar School. Mr. Ryder, he understood. : had held the position of first assistant * for and in that time had earned and received the confidence of | the pupils. He had taken an active in- • terest in the cadets, football and other | branches of sport, and Mr. Fox took the opportunity of congratulating Major : ’ Ryder oir his well-deserved promotion i. , (applause), and thankea him ?or ms' wide interests and attention to duty. • The speaker mentioned that the boys ' had won the Devenish shooting shield ' with a total of 367 points. Mr. Fox said Mr. and'- Mrs. Amoves' were deserving of praise for the way I in which they had conducted the board ing establishment during the year. Mr. Fox also paid a tribute to the bearing • of the boys, especially on public occasions. when they were to be seen in I marching formation in the streets. The ' boys certainly combined brain, brawn, and muscle. The fact that the school was in need of a new gymnasium to I rcplax>e the one destroyed by fire 'in i 1016 was also mentioned, and he hop- ■ ed that the friends of the school would ! [ take this matter up later on. He unj derstood that a fair was to be held 1 with the object of starting a fund for 1 | the building of a gymnasium. In con- i 'elusion Mr. Fox addressed himself to i those boys who were not returning next year. He told them that in order to make a success of the new life they j were entering upon they must work hard and pay particular attention to duty. Only by these means would they obtain a position in the world.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT. Mr. Moyes, on rising to read his report, was greeted with spontaneous applause: — I have the honor to present the 40th annual report of your school. In doing so I would like first of all to tender my thanks for the loyal support the seboo. continues to receive. It was thought that' the financial depression would be sure to have a marked effect on th" year’s attendance, and that this school, in conjunction with other large board ing schools in the Dominion, would open with a much depleted roll. I am gla 1 to say uhat such was not the case, and that throughout the year the school has been comfortably full. The roll number for the year is BS3, lieing made up of 198 day boys ann 185 boarders. The roll number for the upper School is 276, and for the preparatory school 107. The personnel of the staff has under gone some change. Mr. H. V. Searle. Mr. N. Day, and Mr. H. L. Calder left at the end'of 1920 to take up positions elsewhere. The vacancies thus caused were filled by the appointment of Mr Papps and Mr. Eggluton in the upper school, and of Mr. Pope in the preparatory school. All these masters have entered into their work with a spirit of enthusiasm, and have carried out their duties in a thoroughly efficient manner For some rime past the large number of pupils taking music has made it increasingly difficult to organise this work properly. To overcome this difficulty the board decided to appoint a resident music teacher, and from a number of applications Mr. Dobson, L.T.C.L., of Auckland, was chosen to fill the position. I am pleased to say that although the scheme has been in operation for cAie term only, an improvement is already noticeable. 1 wi -h to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to Mr. R. N. Renaud, who for the past nine years has taken this branch of the school work. Upon the board deciding to appoint a full-time music teacher. Mr. Renaud was offered the position, but was unable to accept it owing to the large amount of outside work in which he was engaged. It is with very deep regret, that I have to report that Mr. A. R. Ryder has resigned his position on the stall in order to join the staff of the Auckland Grammar School as senior science ma ; - ter. Mr. Ryder has been connected with the school for a period of twelve ygars, and during that time he proved himself to be a most efficient ana aapaoie

roaster. In bidding Mr. Ryder good-bye I wish to extend to him m.y sincere thanks for all that he has done for the school. He takes with him our best wisjies for success in his future work. EXAMINATION SUCCESSES. The school has every reason to be satisfied with the success achieved at the a..nual examinations. In the junior university scholarship examination, Ronald Syme was placed first for the Dominion, being 200 marks above the next successful candidate. In gaining first place on the list Syme established a record never before approached in ; New Zealand. Ill's marks were 94.6 per 1 cent, in Latin, 88 per cent, in French, •and 96 per cent, in chemistry. The > previous record in this examination was jlhat held by Professor Adams, of Dun- ; • edin. who, as a pupil of the Otago Boys’ r ‘ High School in 1902, gained 90 per cent. 11 in Latin. , | In the same examination XV. Aldi? •was placed on the credit list, but was . ineligible for a Taranaki scholarship, as , he had not resided in Taranaki for a [ period of two years.5 Seventeen boys psssed the matriculaL tion and allied examinations, and six- . teen gained partial passes. The somei what large proportion of partial passes • is accounted for by the fact that every year in this school probably half the i matriculation candidates are third year • ' boys. Tn the regulations dealing with , j the examination it is clearly stated that i it will represent the reasonable result , { o-f four years’ training in a secondary >! school. While it is possible for a boy i of outstanding ability to pass this exi amination with ease at the end of three ■ years’ preparation, it is not so with ■ the average boy. We have hitherto ac- : ceded to the wishes of parents, and we ; have known that their chances of pass- ! ing are slight. This system leads in ■ many cases to disappointment, and we • have therefore decided that in future a ’’ boy must take a full four years’ course ; unless he shows by his work in school that he has a reasonable chance of pas- ; sing the examination at the end of his : third year. Six boy's (F. Corkill, R. Bellringer. J. Brodie, U. Barnitt, J. D. Mackay, ana J. Wilson), won senior national scholarships, while a junior national scholarship was won by R. Dolby. SUCCESS OF OLD BOYS. Tn dealing with examination results, it is gratifying to be able to report that old boys of the school are winning success at the various university colleges in New Zealand. The -following old boys have kept university terms: ■' At Auckland.—K. O’Halloran, S. Allemann, 0. Bayly. J. Clemow, R. 0. Sinclair, C. A. Noble, T. F. Merron, J. Willis, W. Rea, and W. G. Wilkie. At Wellington.—H. A. Syme, R. f'. Pope, C. Winfield, R. Greiner, and I). Sutton. At Dunedin. —A. B. Sturtevant, B. Johns. N. Waddle, N. Quilliam, R. Rockel, A. Huse, H. Calder, E. Boulton, and K. C. Roberts. In addition the following have passed various sections for the degrees of i M.B. and C1i.8., 8.D.5., 8.A.. LL.B., j B.Sc., and 8.E.: J. Hine, J. Willis. L. Llillett. N. Bellringer. B. Wilson, O. BavJly, C. Noble, H. Calder, C. Winfield, R. Greiner. L. Richardson, R. E. Pope, K Clemow. K. Brokenshire, R. G. Sinclair, '. and W. C. Rea. • J. Terry has completed his LL.B., and ■' A. Wilson, T. E. Hamerton and R. Brokenshire have passed the final of the law i professional examination. The success of D. G. D. Mackie and ] D. Denny Brown >calls for special men- ' tion. The former has repeatedly liead- ' ed his classes at Canterbury College, 1 while the latter was one of three who ' ga'ined distinction in the first profes- ' sional medical examination from i amongst SO students. The work in the preparatory school under Mr. Pope and the Misses K. and • E. Campbell has been carried on with most gratifying results. Twenty-six ! pupils gained proficiency, eleven were awarded competency certificates, and four -failed. In his general remarks on this section of the school -the inspector - says: “The exemplary behaviour of the ; pupils and the all-round good conduct ' make the task of examination a. pleas ' ant one. The pupils are here taught under ideal conditions, and the discip- : line involved in living up to the tradi i tions surrounding them, cannot but nave ! a powerful influence for good. A spe- ' cial feature of the school work is the attention paid to distinctness of enunciation in reading and recitation, both i of which subjects are excellently taught and excellently rendered by the major ity’ of the pupils. The general tone : s excellent.” \ OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. At outdoor activities the school continues to hold its own. Three teams were entered for the Taranaki Rugby Union competitions, and all acquitted • themselves well. The second junio* and the third grade competitions were won by the school, while the prepara, tory team was successful in winning the Taranaki primary schools’ competition. During the second term the first fifteen tried conclusions with Wanganui College, the Wanganui Technical College. Nelson College, and the Auckland Grammar School. These matches, which were all closely contested, created a great deal of interest; The school fifteen was defeated by Wanganui College and Auckland by a narrow margin, but was successful against Wanganui Technical School and Nelson College. The standard of shooting is, I think, as high as ever it was. At the group rifle meeting at Hawera 27 boys from the school competed, afid of these 26 were in the prize list. The Taranaki senior and junior cadet championships were won by M. Barak and E. Chivers respectively. Eight teams were entered ! for the Imperial challenge competition, j '■ but so far no particulars as to the yeI suit are available. The Christchurch Press shield was won by the school with the remarkable score of 67.1 out of a possible 6-8. In the New Zealand secondary schools’ competition the school headed the list, being 35 points ahead of the Waitaki High School, last Instruction in swiniming and in lifesavin" has been given throughout the year. Twenty-two boys qualified for the Bronze Medallion, twenty-seven were awarded swimming certificates, and three, were awarded instructor's certificates. At long distance swimming 11. D. Maxwell covered a distance of 3A The standard of cricket has shown a marked improvement. The first eleven is competing in the Taranaki senior champi nships, and has already been successful in defeating two of the leading teams in the competition. In the annual match against Wanganui College the school again suffered defeat, but bv a much smaller margin than in previous years. The primary schools’ compel, itioii was won by the preparatory department. In the boarding department nothing calls for special mention, except, per haps, the fact that the new school hos- ] pital L now finished and equipped. This : 'building is self-contained, and should I >rove a boon in times of sickness. |

I deeply regret having to record the death from meningitis of Jack O’Neill, a boarder at the school. The news of his death came as a great shock to all who knew him for his cheerful disposition, his. manly nature, and his sterling character had endeared him to masters and boys alike. During t\e year it has been very gratifying for all connected with the "school to see the Old Boys’ Association grow and expand. It is, I think, a matter for congratulation that a school as young as this has behind it such a body o-f young and energetic old boys. I wish to express my thanks for all they have done for the school during the past I year, and to assure them that those in charge of the school fully appreciate their loyalty, their generosity, and the sympathetic interest they take in everything that concerns the welfare of the school. LOYALTY OF OLD BOYS. During the year a great many parents and friends o-f the school have assisted us with donat ions. To •these J wish to extend my sincere thanks. T have plso to thank the chairman and -the members of the Board of Governors for the invaluable advice and assistance they > have always given me. To the members of the staff I wish to express my deep appreciation of the manner in which they have carried out their dut- v ies. and of their co-operation and loyalty. In conclusion 1 wish to pay a tribute to the work of the prefects. Without their whole-hearted support, it, would have been next to impossible to carry on the work in the house. They hart- taken the places of house masters, and have carried out their duties so efficiently that it|.can be safely said that the past year has been one of the pleasantest and happiest in the history of the school. SHOOTING TEAM’S RECORD. ; The Mayor congratulated the boys on having completed another year of school life. He had wondered how in the many-sided activities 1 of school Ufa they had really found time -for the serious side, byok learning, but that they did so was shown by the record read that night by the headmaster. He hoped it wq.s not going to be an isolated one. He desired to repair an omission he had made in not conveying previously the Governor-General’s congratulations on the record the school obtained in shooting. Lord Jellicoe had conveyed to the speaker his- regret that in the somewhat crowded conditions during his visit recently, he had over--looked personally congratulating the boys on their performance. He had also stated that he came to New Plymouth with the idea that the finest school in New Zealand was somewhere else, but after seeing the*New Plymouth school ' and its boys he did not know whom to award the palm. “He will come here again, no doubt,” said the speaker to the boys, “and let him have no doubt on the subject next time.” The ceremony closed with" the National Anthem. PRIZE LIST. Dux.—M. Barak. . Itoid boy’s prize.—J. Henderson. Dr. Fookes’ general excellence cup.--T. Foden. Form VI. (Mr. Fox’s prizes).—Languages and literature, W. Aldis; mathematics and science, M. Barak. Form Va. (Mr. Sladden's prizes).—R. Rea 1. I. Mclvor 2. Languages and literature, A. Brodie; inathemiiitics and science, A. Brodie. Form Vb.--L. Herdman 1, M. Standlsn 2. Languages and literature, ,L Lysaght; mathematics and science, -L. Herdman. Form IVa.—-W. Nash 1, M. Lysons 2. Languages and literature, W. Nash; mathematics and science, D. Purdie. Fonm IVh.—A. Betts 1, B. Gibbs 2. Languages and literature, N. Lovegrove; mathematics and science, A. Betts. Form Illa.—C. Strombom 1, .1. Mountjoy 2. Language:; and literature. J. Mountjoy; mathematics and science. C. Strombom. Form lIIb. —T. Hair 1, D. Banks 2. Languages and literature. H. Brown; mathemailcs Form Illc.—R. Payne 1, G. Bayly 2. Languages and literature, G. Bayly; mathematics and science, R. Payne. « Drawing.—Form IV.. M. Bree; Form 111, R. Bates. Agriculture.--Form V.. D. Ballantyne* For.n IV.. IL ('a ugh ley; Form 111.. T. Hair. Commerce.—Form V., I. Palmer; Form IV., J l . Waugh; Perun UL, C. Bau&ton.

White Memorial Prize.—W. Aldis. Benda 11 Memorial Prize.—R. Bellringer. PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT. Form ll.—Ronald Buick, 88.9 per cent , 1; Terence Syme, 86.9 per cent., 2; Ernest Jeffries, 85 per cent., and Tom Silson 85 per cent, equal 3. Form Ila.—Percival Grover, 1; Harold Fookes, 2; special progress, Charles Robb. Form lib.—Trevor Bayly, 1; Robert Fletcher, 2; special, Chris Griffiths and Alex Hutchen. Form I.—Robert Bennett and D’Arcy Jackson, 81 per tent., equal 1. Form la.—Edmund Harvie, 84.5 per cent., 1; John Hetherington, 81 per cent., 2. Special progress. Guy Harvie and Harold Thomsc-i. Form lb.—Barrack Fenton, 83.9 per cent., 1; Peter Moyes, 80.2 per cent., 2. ATHLETIC PRIZES. Senior championship.—H. Brown. Junior ch aim pionship.—R. Brewster. Under 14 championship.-—S. Cottier. Under 12 championship.—L. Barlow. Under 10 championship.—H. Thomson. S. Lealand.—First 15fr yards open. C. Tate.—First 100 yards under 15. R. Atkinson. —First 100 yards senior, first 440 yards senior. B. Mahraj.—First 100 yards junior. H. Brown.—44o yards senior championship shield, first long jump senior, first 120 hurdles senior (Mr. Noakfes’ cup). R. Brewster.—First long jump junior, first 440 yards junior (Mrs. Bothamley's cup), first 880 yards junior, first throwing cricket ball' P. Pope.—-First long jump junior. F. Barrack.—First 75 yards under 13, first 100 yardjj unde* 12. J. H. Nicholson.—First 880 yards so.iior (Mason Memorial Cup). S. Cottier.—First 75 yards, first 100 v»ra.? under 14. C. F Hawkes.—First 220'yards open. F. James.—First high jump junior. C. D. Collins.—First high jump senior. H. Thomson.—First 50 yards, 75 yards, 100 yards under 1 IC. J. Perry.—First 50 yards under 11: J. Law.—First three-legged race. D. G. Grant.—Fn-at three-legged race. K. Mauri.—First potato race. A. Washer.—First 50' yards under 12. L. Barlow.—First 120 yards under 12. J. Whittle.—First 100 yards old boys Mr. Pridham’s Cup). ■C. L. Kyngdon.—First 220 yards old boys race. R. Buick.—First 220 yards under 14 W. Aldis.—First mile open (Dr. Fookes’ Cup). E. G. Smith.—First senior steeplechase, steeplechase cup, fastest time senior steeplechase, Bryce Cup, first mile junior. A. Field. —First junior steeplechase, cup. J. Palme.. —Second senior steeplechase, second unile junior. T. Bellringer.—Fastest time junior steepleI. Palmer.—First throwing cricket ball B. Blundell.—First sack race. J. Revell.—-First championship heat juuior cup, Beckbessinger Cup. SWIMMING PRIZES. Senior championship.—T, Foden (Sykes Cup and pewter). Junior championship.—K. Taylor. Under 14 championship.—E. Gibson. ■ R. Christie.—First, one length. K. Meuli.—First learner’s race . R. Riley.—First breast stroke. T. Foden.—First diving for plates, first 100 yards open. J. Lysaght.—First back stroke. S. Wood.—First greasy boom, first barrel race. B. Hooper.—First duck and drake juce, first awkward entry. L. Christie.—First Corfu dive. L. Rawson.—First ribbon dive. K. Taylor.—First high dive. H. W. Rickard.—First two lengths. L. Rawson.—First life-saving cup. Grey Cup.—First relay (Foden, Coinns, Rickard, Rdwson). O’Halloran Shield, Inter-Form.—Form Va, (Foden, Rawson, Wood, Rickard). BOXING PRIZES. Senior championship.—J. W. Pal.ner (Lenper Cup and pewter). Junior championship.—T. Foden (Kidd Cup and medal). Under 10 stone championship.—F. Davis Taranaki Boxing Association’s bantam weight exent.—Rickard. Under 9 stone championship.—E. G. GlDson. Under 7 stone championship.—S. Cottier. Under 6 stone championship.—A. Hutchen. SHOOTING PRIZES. Senior miniature championship.—H. Rickard (Searle Cup' and. pewter). Junior -miniature championship.—Jtf. Lysons . (Hamblyn Cup). Under 15 championship.—M. Lysons (Loveda.v Cup). Under 14 clampionship.—C. Wills (McLeod and Slade Cup). Long range championship.—G. Hugbsau ' (MacDiannid belt and pfewter). Kelly Memorial Cup.-HM. Barak< 'i

Lady Godley Cup, senior.—M. Barak. Lady Godley Cup, junior.—R. L. Caughler Taranaki Championship, senior cadets. -M. Barak. Mr. Firth’s prize for most improved beginner.—W. Foote. Sole Cup, best n.c.o.—Sergt-Major T. Fod»n SPECIAL FOOTBALL PRIZES. Best forward in match against Wanganui Collegiate School (Mr. R. Patoner’s prize).— M. Barak. Best back in die match v. Wanganui (Mr. Palmer’s prize).—J. Brodie.