Chronicle-1939

THE OPENING CEREMONY. As this is the first edition of the Magazine from the School's new premises, it seems fitting that the following account of the opening ceremony should be quoted from the last Magazine from the old School:— The new School buildings were opened on 10th July by His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Duncan. After a stormy week-end, the weather cleared for the opening ceremony, the sun was bright and the air crisp as the hundreds of visitors assembled to await the arrival of His Excellency the Governor-General. In introducing and welcoming the Governor-General, the Rev. E. Bottrill, President of the Methodist Conference, mentioned the change in relations between the Government and the Methodist Church in the past century. "One hundred and twenty-five years ago," he said, "our missionaries were seriously checked at Government House when they arrived in Capetown. The relationship between the Church and education has constantly been debated. It is the duty of the State to educate. That we admit. But we feel that religion doescontribute to the education of youth by furnishing the necessary foundation and background to a successful life." That the present generation realised this was proved by the interest and support of the Education Department, and the presence, in representative capacity, of the Governor-General and the Administrator of Natal. Mr. W. j. Williams, Chairman of the Board of Governors, outlined the development of the Kearsney scheme from the time when it was no more than a vision of the distant future to the time when the School was now a fait accompli. This School was the joint gift of Methodism. Apart from the donors of large sums of money, hundreds of people had given liberally, seeking to be materially associated with the building of the School. These friends had already been publicly thanked; he now wished to thank the architect, Mr. Payne, the builder, Mr. Johnson, and the foreman, Mr. Reardon. These gentlement had been mainly responsible for converting cash into stonework. Sir Patrick Duncan then spoke. He made a strong appeal for a liberal education, in the true sense of the

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