CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ SCHOOL, DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 45, 25 November 1925, Page 31

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ SCHOOL, DUNEDIN

VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. On Monday morning the Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson, accompanied by Miss Orr-Ewing and Captain Wentworth, visited the Christian Brothers’ School, Dunedin, At the school the Cadets formed a guard of honor and the pupils sang “God Save the King.” , . Hi Lordship Bishop Whyte escorted the party to their chairs, and made a few remarks. He said that the cheers from the boys indicated how deeply they appreciated the honor that their Excellencies conferred on them and on the Christian Brothers’ School by this visit. It was regarded by the staff and the pupils and by the speaker as a great honor that the Governor-General should he there not only in his official capacity, but as Sir Charles Fergnsson. It often happened in regard to such matters that the personal factor was overlooked. Not so on this occasion. It seemed that the kindly and generous disposition of Sir Charles had suggested to the Governor-General the paying of this compliment to the school. The present was a time of record-breaking. Men were playing the piano for an incredible period, and men and women were dancing as though they thought they could go on indefinitely. His Excellency was to-day breaking a record. He was the first GovernorGeneral to pay a visit to the Chrisian Brothers’ School — (loud and continued applause) —and, no matter how many GovernorGenerals visited it in the future, it would never be forgotten that it was Sir Charles Fergnsson who pointed the way. All concerned would ever remember with gratitude the honor .conferred by His Excellency’s visit that morning. His Excellency, in addressing the hoys, counselled them to honor their forefathers in this country by doing service for the country, and reminded them that all who worked honestly and fairly, and all who did social work, even if it was only giving up some leisure to help the crippled, the sick, or the poor, was making his life useful and thus benefiting the country and the Empire. All ought to try to do something worthy and to be worthy.

Incidentally, Sir Charles said; .“Your Lordship made a remark to the effect that my private mind said something to my public mind about this visit. May I be allowed to say that that is not so? Her Excellency loves being amongst the boys and the girls, and so do I. But as a matter of fact the first person to put these visits into my mind was the King when I went to say good-bye to him. His Majesty told me —I think it was the only instruction he gave—that he wished me to see as much as I could of the boys and girls of New Zealand. I am doing so, and when I write to him and tell him what I have done in that way he never fails to answer to the effect that he is glad I am doing my job. He is really interested in the young folk.”

Hearty applause followed the GovernorGeneral’s address, and further applause upon his request for a half-holiday being acceded to. Master. Metcalfe presented Lady. Fergusson with the school’s: gift of a bouquet-of’ roses',• and the - proceedings terminated :' With- : the anthem “God Defend New Zealand.” .The Vice-regal party then' - visited- Sir Dominic’s College, ; :