ALMA MATER.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1922, Page 6

ALMA MATER.

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS. ANNUAL MEETING AND REUNION. Once every year it is customary for the old pupils of the New Plymouth Boys’ High School to re-visit the school, when after the school eports in the da}’ the annual meeting of the Old Boys’ Association is held in the evening, followed by the annual re-union. Their annual gathering was held at the school on Saturday night, when, though the number attending was somewhat less than on the previous occasion, still a very pleasant and enjoyable time was spent. THE YEAR’S ACTIVITIES. The annual meeting was presided over by Mr A. M. Mae Diarmid in the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr R. H. George), who forwarded an apology, stating that, as he was away at Hamilton on business, he regretted he would be unable to attend. Mr George expressed thanks to the committee, especially to the hon. secretary (Mr Bracken Wilson) for their assistance during the year. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet (already published) the chairman commented upon the erection of the memorial to the old boys who had fallen in the war, stating that the committee should feel proud of the fact that theirs was the first memorial erected to those connected with New Plymouth who had fallen in the war. Thanks were expressed to the architect of the memorial gates (Mr T. H. Bates) for the fine work he had done.

Mr A. Bewley seconded and the report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted: President: Mr Austin Bewley; vicepresidents, Messrs H. R. Billing and C. n. Wynyard; hon auditor, Mr F. N. Whiteombe (re-elected); hon. treasurer, Mr N. W. Kirkby (re-elected); hon. secretaries, Messrs Bracken Wilson (re-elected) and P. F. Atkinson; committen, Messrs R. J. Brokenshire, R. H. George. A. M. Mae Diarmid, R. Howell, R. Blundell, Dr. E. F. Fookes, and Mr A. J. Papps (school representative).

It was moved that in future invitations to the old boys’ annual ball be limited to members of the association who might each nominate a friend As an amendment it was moved that the proposal be made a recommendation to the committee. A lengthy discussion followed on the question, in which there seemed to be a difference of opinion. Another amendment was moved that it be a recommendation to the committee that members of the association be invited and those intimately connected with the school (such as members of the board of governors and members of sister associations). This latter amendment was carried and the motion and other amendments were withdrawn.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr and Mrs Moyes, the ladies, the Press, and all who had assisted the association in their functions during the year. THE OLD SCHOOL. At the reunion which followed the annual meeting the newly-elected president (Mr Austin Bewley) was in the chair. Between sixty and seventy old hoys and members of the High School staff were present. Apologies were received from the Mayor (Mr F. E. Wilson), Mr J. S. Fox (chairman of the high schools board), Mr R. G. George (retiring president), and Mr R. H. Rock el.

After the loyal toast had been honoured, the toast of “The School” was proposed by Dr. E. F. Fookes, who said it was a very great pleasure to him to have the toast placed opposite his name, especially as he was an old hoy who had been connected with the school in its very junior days. It was very pleasing to old students to see the immense development that had taken placp in the school.' a' development mainly attributable to the principal (Mr W. IT. Moyes). His appointment ten years ago was one of the happiest things the board of governors had done, and he could assure the principal that the board were only too grateful to him for the great popularity the school had achieved. The hearts of old boys beat a little faster when they revisited this school and no school that had not an active body of old boys could hope t-o carry on in the way it should. Old boys should help the school to achieve the position that was due to it. A gymnasium, baths, and other things were needed by the school and it was in such directions old boys could assist. THE PRINCIPAL’S RESPONSE. Responding. Mr Moyes expressed thanks to the old boys for the very great interest they continued to take in the school. When necessary he knew he could always go to the old boys individually and be certain of obtaining help. In 1912 the association presented to the school a trophy for the senior competitions, besides 'cricket implements. Since then the assembly hall, the memorial gate (a worthy monument to the old boys who had “gone west”), and a fund for a modern and up-to-date gymnasium had been undertaken by the old boys, so it could be seen that the association had made a great effort during the last ten years. He felt sure, too, that the younger old boys would provide a backing to the school second to none in the Dominion.

‘‘We have had a successful school year,” continued Mr Moyes. On the scholastic side two university scholarships (no mean achievement) had been won. and the matriculation passes were greater than ever before. In athletics also the school had been extremely successful. Besides winning the third grade championship for Taranaki the football team bad won both the interschool matches against Wanganui and Nelson, whilst the cricket eleven had defeated Wanganui by a substantial margin. In shooting the school was the first to win the Governor-General’s trophy, while in the Imperial Challenge Shield for Empire competition <he echool teams had come fifth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh. He had not instanced these achievements in any boastful spirit, but what he had said went to show that the school was holding its own and was worth being proud of. UNIVERSITY SUCCESSES. “T am pleased to see the successes achieved at the universities by our old boys,” said Mr Moyes. Ten years a go the old boys at universities c.ould

be counted on the fingers; now they were counted by the dozen. That day Roberts (Otago) had won a research scholarship of the value of £175; C. A. Noble (Auckland) had won a premium in chemistry; while R. Syme (Wellington), as was to be expected, was carrying all before him. In addition to these there were numerous others doing really well and he was sure all these would be a tremendous asset to the school and would make their mark in the world. To the younger old boys he would say: “Set an example in the town.” They should get on to the various public bodies, which aimed to improve the town and help things along. So far as he could see old boys were not doing this. They owed their sports ground to the hard work put in by men of the type of Air Arthur Humphries, and old boys should help carry on this work. Societies such as existed at Kawaroa and personality had sunk into insign itie men could do. It had been a disappointment to him to see how boys who at school had showed leadership and personality had sunk into insignificance in tdlej life. Re believed the same thing went on all over the Dominion..

Referring to the various old 'hoysclubs (football, cricket and swimming) the chairman stated that some present boys about to leave school were hurt at not being invited to join these. They were being canvassed by other clubs, but the old boys’ association looked to these boys to automatically come into the old boys’ clubs and not to countenance canvassing from other clubs. Membership in these clubs was practically confined to old boys and he felt that the association's view-point should be put before the boys. OTHER TOASTS “Sister Colleges” was proposed by Mr A. M. Mae Diarmid who said that the future of the Dominion largely rested with the secondary schools, for although primary education was undoubtedly good, not the same loyalty to the school was engendered nor was training for after life. Mr A. Johnston (Otago Boys’ High School) and Mr A. J. Papps (Nelson Boys’ College) responded. The toast of “The Board of Governors” was entrusted to the chairman ahd Dr. Fookes responded. Theo toast of “Absent Old Boys” was proposed by Mr L. B. Webster. Other toasts honored were:—“The Ladies” (Air P. F. Atkinson—Air J. C. Money), “Sports and Pastimes” (Mr H. R. Billing— Messrs R. Marks and F. J. Eggleton), “The Press’ (Air R. J. Brokenshire, responded to by the press representative present), “Sports Ground Officials” (Air L. B. Webster—Mr J. W. Connell), and “The Chairman” (Air A. M. MaeDiarmid). During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs L. Pease, C. Hill, and R. Marks, a pianoforte solo by Mr Dobson, who also played the accompaniments. and a reading by Air A. M. Mae Diarmid. whilst community singing was included. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem concluded a very enjoyable evening.