South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Saturday 25 September 1869, page 2


ADELAIDE EDUCATIONAL IN8TITTJTION.OLD SCHOLARS' DINNER.

The members of the Old Scholars' Association in connection with the Adelaide Educational In stitution held their annual dinner in the large room at Beach's Restaurant on Friday evening

Septemoer 24. There were over 60 old scholars besides the Head Master of the Institution Mr J. L. Young, and their assistant teacher present' The room was tastefully decorated, and Mr. Beach had the tables bountifully and elegantlv spread. The President of the Society (Mr. M. S Clark) occupied the chair. Messrs. C. W. Babbage and J F. Conigrave acting as croupiers. After the us-uai loyal aud patriotic toasts had been given by the Chairman and duly honoured, Mr. W. J. Vercoe proposed 'The Parliament of South Australia.' He spoke of the noble position which was held by the British Parliament, and said that the Parliament of South Australia would bear favourable comparison with any Parliament in the British Colonies. The order maintained in it was excellent. At the present time it had its attention devoted to most unfortunate circumstances Repression which touched almost all the interests; but he believed the members comprised men of sufficient intelligence to enact laws which would enable them to overcome depression, and would make the colony again prosperous. Mr. G. T. Bean, M.P., who was received with cheers, in responding said it was the second occasion on which he had represented the Parliament at the Old Scholars' dinner, but be hoped that there would not be many more meetings at which he would be the only one. There were many who were capable of filling the position of members of Parliament with credit to themselves and to their master. Mr. Young. He expressed his sympathy with the priuciples of the Bill to amend the Con-stitution Act which had been introduced in and thrown out of the Legislative Council, and said the fact of the Government introducing it in the Upper House did not show much for their sincerity, as it would have been the means of greatly curtailing the privileges of the Legislative Council, and was not likely to have been passed first there. He referred to the circumstance of his holding views on a certain subject which were different to those of Mr. Young, and to the possibility of the system of Parliamentary Government being exem-plified in connection with free trade and protection, expressing his belief thai it might tend to the good government of the country if they had rather more distinct parties in the House than at present. The toast of the evening— 'Success to the Adelaide Educational Institution'— was proposed by Mr. Caleb Peacock, who referred to the im-portance of the youth of the country being fitted by education to exercise the powers and privileges which under the free institutions of the country were conferred upon alL It had been the aim and object of their esteemed friend and teacher Mr. Young to incul-cate m them not only sound principles of political economy, but to instil into their winds principles of morality and rectitude. (Hear, hear.) They all wished success to the Institution most heartily, not only for the sake of Mr. Young himself, but because those trained there imbibed principles, or should imbibe principles, which would tend to the well-being of the community. (Cheers.) Its success, he believed, afforded Mr. Young a great pleasure, not so much for the pecuniary benefit he derived as from the feeling which he experienced that he had more minds to work upon. He was sure the best way in which they could please him was by showing in their lives that they had derived benefit from his teaching. The toast was received with enthusiasm, and cheers for Mr. Young, who was greeted With loud applause on rising to respond.

He observed that he was glad to meet them as friends, and he was sure they were all agreed in wishing success to the Institution. That it had been a success hitherto he could say confidently, when looking upon the many young men-useful and energetic young men-around him. If he had a large fortune he should be inclined to devote the remainder of his days to the same work, because he loved it. (Cheers.) There was much work in store for the young men of the present day in the marvellous changes that were taking place in realization of the lesson which was taught eighteen centuries ago-that 'all men were brothers.' In this country, where they enjoyed the utmost civil and religious liberty, no such reforms were needed as in older countries, but still much required to be done to prevent them from drifting into the errors which the older countries of Europe hail done in their career. In this land, producing all that was necessary for man, they might be very happy if they acted upon right principles, such as he had endeavoured to implant in their minds, and he should be proud to feel that he had done even a little to promote the welfare of the land. He had very much pleasure in thanking them for the hearty manner in which they responded to the toast. (Prolonged cheering.) Mr. W. P. Auld, in a happy speech, proposed 'The Health of the Ladies of South Australia,' which was drunk with three cheers for Mrs. Young. 'The Health of the Masters' was proposed by Mr. C. W. Babbage, who alluded to events which they retained in their memories, reminding them of schooldays. Messrs. Bennett, Marval, Wilton(,) Hack, Von Schleinitz, and Haines expressed their warm acknowledgments. Mr. H. Bickford gave 'The Friends of the Institution,' which was responded to by Mr. J. H. Finlayson, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Howard C'lark. The toast of 'Our absent Friends' was proposed in a few appropriate words by Mr. E. H. Babbage. Mr. Theodore Hack, in a few suitable re marks, gave 'The Land we Live in,' which was responded to by Mr. C. N. Collison: the 'native-born.' numbering more than half those present, standing up during ths response. 'Our next merry Meeting' by Mr. H. M. Martin, and other customary toasts followed, including 'The Health of Mr. Beach,' which was cheerfully drunk iu acknowledgment of the tuauuur in which he had performed his duties as caterer. The speeches were interspersed with songs, music, and recitations, and the utmost pleasantness and cordial feeling prevailed throughout the evening.