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We»Iey College.
The eighth annual speech day of Wesley
College, was held in the .Gaiety Theatre,
South -Perth on Wednesday afternoon. The
nreaident of the College Council fthe Rev.
U.-.3.. tienKinsj presiaea, ana.witn nun- on
the dais were the : President of the Me
thodist Conference Cthe Bev.v E. H.O.
Nye), the headmaster of the college (Dr.
J.-L.JU'ss'te'Or and Lieut.-Qeneral-.Sir J.
Talbot HobbSi . An enjoyable musical and
elocutionary Erogramme^ was given by the
boys. ?? . . ' : ? : ,,'
1 The headmaster, in hiB-report; said:— ' :
'iiy firrt' : word, -is one of' grateful acknowledg
ment of and sincere thanks- for the cordial re-;
sponse given to'-'Mrs. Rossiter, my fjfmily :ond
myself by so many connected with this School
since1 our '(arrival in ; Western Australia. , The
chairman and members of the council have- all
made the entry pn my headmastfrship delight
fully congenlal,'.#hile many, valued friendships
have' been formed- from among the .members' of
the staff, the .parents, .and the friend* of the
school,- the old boys, and finally and inspiringly
— among the* boys themselves. To this I desire
to add a tribute to ' the worth and work of tny
predecessor,', Mr. J. P. Ward, JL1. .We have
already during the ^«ar placed on the school
records -our ^appreciation of. the splendid pioneer
ing services rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Ward, and
we are pleised indeed to know that they stayed
long enough at Wesley to see some very tangible
results, of their,, devoted work. And we have
entered into their, labours — and 'encouraged : by
your' sympathy and help,'. and' above all'-divinely
guided, we must surely carry onwards and'* up
wards. -I have to record the passing during, thi'
year of one of /the school's councillors — -the late
Mr. William -Peeb Mr. Peet .wa»: devoted to .-the
school, aud^^re'inisB' his presence;- Knowing liis
great interest' uin our welfare, :Mrs: Peet haf
graciouily ?teade;it pqssJble^or' us, to h^ve for.:aU
time a splendldrpHze.for the dux of the school— -
to be, awarded *for: tne'irst tUse , to-diy. All
?Willlaln'^Peet;1 prizemen- :wili.''.bear 'an honoured
name,' and surely they. ,W11 prove worthy ol tliat
aame.r :'.'?:'-' ? -?*-''???';'?.*..-? ????'? ;i;r-.-r-:
'f'lri'the-circumstanceg, the attendance for the
year : must; I think,' be, considered very sttistac
torjj The numbers ' for ' 1929 ' have, . evenl lii
these, difficult ' times,*' almost been maintained.
Indeed,- dqring the year we had: our full'cbmple
ment 'of 70 boarders. This is 'surely an .'ihdica*
tion of -a splendid attitude towards education on
the parif of ;our 'parents ia the country.- We
?are -.in' a position to know that' sacrifices — end'
in- sofflej cases tremendous tacrifices— are being
made that boys may be^ better equipped to face
life and its. duties. ,
--?';.:' Training Citizens. ????.-?-????
'The work of the school has made steady pro
gress.. - Since tast speech day the results cfUhe
leaving and junior certificate examinations of 1929
have been, published, and. these reveal a very
fair .measure of success. - The ,results_of the. ex
aminations 'for. this -year are not yet. aviilible,,
but we -are- hopeful that the ^standards of the'
past , will at least be maintained. At the srhaoi:
examinations ,; some verv good work has.' been
evidenced, while the candidates who had .taken
full -courses and. who .were presented for.i.;the
Technical ' College examinations in woodworkVt.g
and wooldasting were 411 -successful. ' J. G.
Moss also passed in . the 'subjects required- for
the pharmacy preliminary examination. .'? u We
again thank. til those who have given. scholar ahlps
and prizes to the school-^-their names ure- all
recorded on the prize-list— and we -look frnwrd
to a continuance' of {heir support At the'- an-
nual \ examination's of the. University of Western
Australia, we are pleased 'to note that two of
our old ' boye have successfully completed their
years-— 0. T. Klein, third year engineering; and
J. H.. .Wheatley, second year law, the ? latter
securing /two pastes 'with' distinction. '-The
school offers 'its congratulations. ? ;
. 'However, quite apart from the results of the
public examinations, Itv mutt be apparent that
our secondary:, schools have very largely toideal.
with. these who may. not be taking such examin
ations, and who will rertainly not enter ;- the
learned professions. In Australia about 05 .-per
cent, of those who -attend secondary,-' schools find
their, employment in -avenues 'other than the
professions. Such figures demand, .that we en
deavour to. give to - this' large majprity of our
students something that will be of real assistance
to them in educating- them for a livelihood, and
especially; too, /for life. I am anxious ? Uuit
in the curricula we offer and in the non-class
room activities as well, we should direct our
effortB to that end. . School* such as ours, and
specially when the' percentageYo! boarders is
considerable, have a great privilege and a tre
mendous responsibility. '.Much - of our^ boys! de
velopment goes on 'or does not go'on' under our
Very eyes. If we are to produce that :- type:' of
strong,,^ resourceful man which,' God knows, our
country needs, then we must Bee to it .that' this
all-round development, does go on. and that not
simply students or sports,- but citizens are sent
forth from our walls.' It is . for 'such develop-,
ment that we must surely . stand. (Applause;)'
? . ' Propoied. Cadet. Corps. -, , ?' ' '?]
'We have also 'decided vto. apply for permis
sion from the' Commonwealth -military authori
ties to form our own senior cadet' detachment.
The value of such a unit will be obvious topmost
of itf. Indeed, we ohly have to turn t6 what
has happened in the - mother country this /year.
to realise what secondary', school cadet corps'
have meant to the public -school* Of England.
Early in the year the Secretary of State 'for:
War announced the Government's intention of
withdrawing frAn all cadet corps, , official recog
nition and financial grants. This decision was,
followed by a storm of protest from most sec
tions of the' community, including, of course,
the headmasters on behalf . of the public schools
of the 'country.. These 'protests . did not avail
much. However, so determined were those con
cerned, that an . independent ' association known
as the British National' Cadet Association' was
formed, to' carry on the work which had been
of such value .in the pait. 'As 'The Times' put
It,'. 'No one in Tiis senBeg' believes that the cadet
corps encourages 'militarism. It does, of tourse,
mean .smartness and discipline— whldh, strange
as . ft may Beem. . boys enjoy- — and important as
the military value of the training is,' Its import
ance as a means of education in citizenship', is
far greater.' Since the secotldary schools— using,
the term in its widest iense— contain-' the i bes
brains of the country,' it is from them that
the ' nation expects to draw its . future leaders,
in peace; aa certainly as in war, - and . it is the
knowledge that the training afforded by the
Secondary School Cadet Corps, is of such out
standing; value that has caused 'the Headmasters'
Association to' express its emphatic disapproval
of the decision to refuse official recognition and
financial aid.' - Such strong ' approval of the
movement from such a quarter, coupled with my
own previous ^experience '? lii such nutters lead
me ' to .the : hope' 'that . the step, that we are
contemplating has much ? of educational value
to. commend it. ?':'?.? ? ? . . ?
Sportlno ActWltier. ' ?
. 'We are indebted^ to - Dr. Victor A. Bead
for ? a handsome ' challenge shield ''fair inter-house
?tennis. This shield' will be presented for'; the
first' tine to-day, and on behalf of the school,
I take this opportunity of thanking Dr. Bead
for hia splendid gift. I should like to remind
you of the very successful entry, of the school
into two competitions promoted by two -very
worthy organisations, the Royal Life Saving
Society - (West Australian; Head Centre), and
the- Amateur Athletic Association of Western Aus
tralia. , In March, the school entered 'for the
first time 'lor the Law Shield competition open
to.secondary'BChools, and our representatives .were
placed second to Hale School's champion team-.
In November, at the State Athletic Champion
ship, meeting, our relay team won the 'secondary
schools' relay race from a speedy team from
the Perth Modern Scho61. The Carls Bros. Cup,
for this event 'will be presented to-day, and I
have been, asked to convey to the school the
hearty congratulations 'and. the goodwill of the
officials of the Amateur Athletic' Association o
this State. . In 1931, we are expecting to extend
our activities to develop rowing and rifle shoot
ing in the school.
'The mention of rowing reminds 'me that
the school again owes its very best thanks
to' Mr. E. J. Watkin,- the ?ecretary 'of the
council, and to his Subiaco -Choral Society for
a second splendid concert in aid of the boat
fund; ;and we eonndently expect .that before
long 'something .definite will be done in .the
-matter of providing facilities for rowing. Before
leaving this section of our work, I should like,
to - thank the members of the' staff, 'especially
the sports master, Mr.' .Southern, and Messrs.
Michie and' Hanton, for- their- management and
supervision of the school games.' The other
activities of the school have had a t?ood year.
The 'Wyvern'' -our . magazine — has appeared
twice,' and both were very creditable Frol'ue'
tions. '.The, literary and debating society i* one
of our ? strongest clubs, arid it has enjoyed a
most' successful lenion. which . coecluded with
a very enjoyable Christmas banquet on Satnrdiy
last. Much of, the work in this society reached
a high standard. Mr. Mabey,.who is largely
responsible tor the ' magazine1 and for this
society, deserves the school's best thanks.
'The Camera Club, with Mr. Lobstein as
vice-president, has had a splendid year. Much
interest has' been added by the visits of Mr.
Parlato, from, Kodaks, Ltd., Who haa given fort-'
nightly talks throughout the year. The attend
ances have been well maintained and great
interest- has been shown. Several competitions
.were held and highly creditable 'work was pro-'
duced. ; ' ' ...
'The annual- concert in August proved , a
great success. Here Messrs. Craft, and- Wells
were* responsible for very good, performances—,
musical and gymnastic,. while the school's newly^
formed Dramatic Society presented some Well
Dlaved scenes. - I believe you; will near more
of the Wesley . College Dramatic Society.
, -.'fit is pleasing to record that all our non*
classroom ' activities are performing and piomiB
ins well. Additions have been made to the
museum, which has been under the., .car* of
Mr; Esson, and to the library, general and refer
ence, whichvia supervised by ^Mr. Hanton. We
are alwaya .grateful for ? contributioni - to either
of -these- institutions.
: -f. The Old Boyfc
'The Old Boys'. Association, continues .to
grow and to take a deeper interest in the old;
school. SurtagVthe year a very fine Australian
flag was presented by the -association, and other,
schemes- are io. prospect, whereby, the old boys
will help the school-. ? Old Boys' 'Week assumed
larger proportions 'this year, and the 'first,
dinner was a pronounced, success. The 'school
deeply ^appreciates the interest of her: old 'boys
and . offers its'' congratulations-* on K' successful,
year.. In. conclusion,- 1 have to thank all those
who have ' assisted to . make for the smooth
running of the schooL To all I extend .the
compliments of the season, with best wishes
to the boys for happy holidays, and to mot
a safe return to . school^ ' For the rest— :those
whose- schooldays' end to-day — I trust each of
you 'Will have been so inspired by the spirit
of the school, that you will say and feel as
one.' who says:— ?
?And now the year of school draws to its
close,
The last school year that I can hope to see,
. The life that I have lived, so full, so free,
Is mine to have, to hold-r-a part of me.
, Whate'erthe future holds of joy and pain,
What buffetings of fate, or fortune's smile,
I meet with in the journey I must take,
I'll ever hold that school days were worth
. while.'
'At parting, you will remember the Greeks
desired happiness — 'Rejoice,' they said; the
Romans, strength — 'Be strong,' said they.
Surely these find their complement in our
simple English, 'God be With You! — Good-
bye I' ? 'May .such happiness and strength as
God directs be yours. You will' then be ft
credit to your Alma Mater.' — WeBley, and she
will in very deed be the Mother t of Men.'
Prize List.
Following is the prize list: —
Class Prim.; — First Form (lower): Dux, G.
R. Chamberlain; 2, R. L. Burrows. First Form
(upper): Dux (College Council prize), L. O.
Johnston; 2, A. J. Watkins. Second Form: Dux
(College Council prize), G. R. Walters; 2, R. K.
Hicks; special, prize, W. S. Richards. Third
Form: Dux (College Council prize), A. C. Jones;
2, R. Hcarn; 8, J. B. Leach; ^4, U. Heam; 5,
H. B. Marris. Fourth Form: Dux (College presi
dent's prize), R. Cargeeg; 2, R. A. Falls; 8,
J. Leevers; '*, E. Jackman; 5, J. Shaw; 6, M.
Jarvis. Fifth. B 'Form: Dux (College president's
prize), G. G. Rossiter; 2, A. C. Young; S, S..D.
Watt; 4. M. S. Bower; 5, J. E. Jeffreys; 6,
G. Strickland. . Fifth Form u Dux (College presi
dent's prize), P. P. Paterson; 2, B. Witton; 3,
A. Irilburne; 4, R. Gamble; 5, E. M. C. Keidi.6,
El W- Bowey.i Sixth B Form: Dux (College pre
sident's -prize), E. Dennis: 2, D. Dobson. Sixth
A Form: Dux of school (William Peet prize), R.
J. Rossiter? 2, J; Gillies; 3, M.- Gamble; 4, A.
E. Johns. '. -
Special Prizes. — Scripture prizes: Form I., L
C. Johnston. Form II., R. K. Hicks. Form III.,
J. B. Leach. Form IV., R. Cargeeg and R. Angel.
Form Yb., G. G. Rossiter and R. Leake. Form
V.,' A.' Lllburnel Form Vf., K. Dundas and C.
Gribble. Trophy for cricket , (bat presented by
Mr. J. W. Langsford) : E. Dennis. Sports secre
tary's .prize: -J; G. Moss. Prefect's badges: !*?
C. C. Tresise,': A. E. Johns, F. K. Gafgett, E. M.
C. .Reid, K. J.. Rossiter, J. C. E. Taylor, W. W.
Watkins. 'Essay prize (presented by Dr. W. H.
McGranahan) : J. G. Moss. Special prize (or
junior school drawing (presented by Miss M.
Saunders): G; R. Walters, Progress prize (pre
sented by -:Mr. A: Monteflore) : M. Gamble. Be
ginner's ? prize (dux of sub'junior form): G. O.
Jossitef. Headmaster's prize (presented by Dr.
J. L. Rossiter. M.A.): P. ' C. Tre'sise, captain tjf
the school. ?* Hoyts prize (presented by Messrs.
Hoyts, Ltd.) : R. J. Rossiter. -
? Sports 'Prizes. — Swimming championships:
Under 13,',K. A.- Goman. Under 15 and under
14,. C. iG. Rbssiter. . Under 10,. R.;Oainble. Ope'j
P. CO. Tresise. ? Boxing: Under 6st. (presented
by Mr. F., (A: Robins), R. J; Watkins. ,. p-7 stone,
H. 'Thompson. .7-8*. stone, P. A. Thomson. 8-9
stone, 'R.-;B. Leake. 9-10. stone {(presented by
the masters), J. N. Gillies. . School, champion
ship ^pre»ented;by. Mr. F. A. Robins), P. 0. C.
Tresise. . ?' ? ? . ,--. . . ' . ? . ? ' '?- '
Athletic Meeting- Cups.— Champion -athlete
ander'll.-R. K.. Hicks. Champion athlete under
12; A;,R. Dutton.i The' Taylor Cup' (champion
athletic under 13), A. R. Dutton; runner-up, R.
J. Wheatley. Th« Hawkins Cup (champion ath
lete, under 14k 0. P. Henwood: runner-up, E. A.
Gpman. Champion athlete under 15, C.'.G. Ros
Biter; runn'errup, ?. R., Arnott. The King Cup
(champion athlete under 10), R. Gamble; runner
up, A. G. Pelrce. The Locke Cup (champion
athlete), R; J. Rossiter;, runner-up, H. SL Taylor.
Secondary schools' relay race cup and- medalB,
H. R- Taylor, R. J. Rossiter, R. Gatable, T. C,
Craven.1 ? ?
After; presenting the prizes,- Sir ' Talbot
Hobbs iirged the boys to make the best
use bf;AHeir' education, and to spend their
last days .'a! school in preparing themselves
for their^ork in a/ter life. They should
grow: iip f.witb the idea of rendering ser
vice to the community. There were many
ways in which they could do this. Numet:
ous organisations, like - the , Boy Scouts and
Toe H, would give them opportunities of
occupying their spare time and helping
others. It would be :. of great solace to
the'm when they grew old. to know that
they, had .probably helped lame, ducks over,
a stile.' He concluded by wishing them
all a very happy Christmas .and express
ing, a hope that they Would lielp in' some
way to brighten the .festive season \for
others, who- owing' to' ^the hard times,
were lesB'.fortunate. '
A vote of- thanks to Sir Talbot was car
ried rpti the motion of the* Revl E. H. 0.
Nye, seconded by Mr. J. P. Walton.
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