WANGANUI COLLEGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2475, 14 April 1909, Page 4

WANGANUI COLLEGE.

ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS. [Per Press Association.] WANGANUI, April 13. The celebrations in connection with the Wanganui College were continued yesterday, when the annual sports meeting was held. Over three hundred old boys from all parts of the Dominion entertained Mr. and Mrs. Empson on the sports ground. Dr. Marshall, of Dunedin, occupied the chair. Mrs. Empson was presented with a solid silver salver, suitably engraved, and a silver tea service. There was great enthusiasm throughout the proceedings. Mr. Empsoirs great work at the school during the past 23 years is to be commemorated in a suitable manner to be announced later.

Last night there was a big gathering of present and old boys and friends at the Drill Hall, when the Rev. Mr. Dove, the new headmaster, was formally welcomed by the trustees, old boys, and present boys. To-d3y Lord Plunket laid the foundation stone of a new school to be erected at a cost of £30,jOO. There was a ball in the eveningAt a meeting of Wanganui College old boys yesterday, over 300 being present, the following resolution was carried: “We, the undersigned old boys of ’Wanganui College, of divers political views, unite in thanking the Government fer the steps already taken towards putting the defences of the country in order. We thoroughly approve of* the spirit prompting the offer of a Dreadnought made by you. and we strongly urge the Government to commence an organisation which will enable a system of universal military training, as the only iair and efficient way of defending the country, to be instituted in New Zealand as soon as possible. We assure won of our hearty support in any such system you may bring in." A sum approaching £IBOO was promised towards the erection of a new chapel in connection with the new college. It is understood that Mr. Empson suggested a new chapel in preference to a presentation to himself, as proposed by the old boys.