Old Boys Noticeboard

Grant Cope (S55-8) has retired from the law practice of Welsh McCarthy & Co in Hawera and he and his wife, Mary, have taken over the Cottage Mews Motel at the south end of Lake Taupo. Brian Fleming (S45-6) had his horse Wicklow Boy in the Auckland Trotting Cup at the New Year, driven by his son Philip (S84-8). Philip had six drives at the recent meeting at Otaki. Another son of Brian, Nicholas (S86-90) marries Marie Kavanagh of Wanganui, this month. The intended brothers in law all attended Stream.

Bernie Walsh (S41-3) wrote recently that "I am on the last pages of the minute book in which I made the first entry in 1947. I have told my fellow committee members that I intend to "bow out" now . . ." Bernie has been a loyal servant of the Association in Taranaki and was Old Boy of the Year in 1991.

Jock MacKenzie (S39-42) gained a mention in the Sept issue for his new title of MacKenzie Clan Lieutenant. Jock is retired on his farm in Puketapu. Michael Campbell (64-8) farms in Havelock North with his father Felix (S31-6).

From time to time we record that an old boy has written a book. However, the select list of Harry Orsman 's (S41-4) publications prompted his associates at Victoria University to honour his retirement by publishing in 1993 a series of essays under the title of Pavlova, Poetry and Paradigms with Stuart Johnston (T46-7) introducing the volume. The list of Harry's publications is:

General Editor Heinemann New Zealand Dictionary 1979
Contributing Editor The Macquarie Dictionary 1981
NZ Consulting Editor The Penguin Tasman Dictionary 1986
Editor Heinemann Dictionary of New Zealand Quotations 1988
General Editor Heinemann New Zealand Dictionary (2e) 1988
With D E Hurley (S41-4) New Zealand Slang Dictionary 1992
Dictionary of New Zealand English

Some years ago Prof Hamish Gray of the Law School at Canterbury University, when asked why so many pupils from Catholic colleges sought to study to become lawyers said, in effect, "Law is a middle-class profession and many Catholic and Jewish students find it helpful to be able to work in law offices to gain practical experience and study part-time."

There is no doubt that pupils from Town and Stream have bolstered the ranks of the profession, a few have fallen by the way, but most, once qualified have persevered and some "reached the top". Sir Maurice Casey (T36-9) known for his granting an injunction in 1985 stopping the All Black tour to South Africa retired from the Court of Appeal in 1995 on turning 72, was reported to "come down hard on wankers who try to show erudition by slipping French or Latin into their submissions. Has been known to ask "Whaddaya mean?", One old boy (S33-5) was unable to pass the Latin paper which was mandatory for law students, although achieving in all other subjects. Years later when Latin was no longer a prerequisite for admission, he applied and was admitted as a solicitor.

On one occasion a lawyer, endeavouring to find loopholes in a contract found the typed statement that "The Borrower hereby covenants to pay interest at the rate of seven per centum per anum." He returned the contract with a note saying "It is through the nose that our client is paying."

Before Judge Geoffrey Ellis (T58-62) a Wellington lawyer put in a good word for his clients proffering a particularly creative explanation. Judge Ellis gave credit saying "You have the most elegant way of making the most unlawful conduct sound proper."

Judges deal with many issues and at times show remarkable saving-froid. Paul Knowsley (S79-83) presented Judge Ellis with a letter in Russian while defending a Russian seaman. Judge Ellis ("My Russian is not what it was") accepted the accuracy of a translation. However, in another case where the police recital of the facts including the use of a baby's skull as an ashtray and its left jawbone attached to a tie and used as a necklace, the Judge asked the police prosecutor to pause in his recital. One of the four accused was jailed by Judge Craig Thompson (T62-6) who turned down an application for bail pending an appeal saying the nature of the crime outweighed any merit of application.

High Court Judge Paul Neazor (T47-51) was awarded the Companion of NZ Order of Merit for his services to the profession and New Zealand. He is still required to sit, although he has announced his retirement.

Tony Southall (T69-73) is a partner with Gibson Sheat Lawyers.

Norm Porter (T48-52) has been acknowledged by the Orchids Council of NZ for the best orchid of the year. Norman says that Dutch orchid-growers had visited his garden and taken away cuttings which will be cloned and cultivated in Holland, with Norm receiving royalty on sales.

Radio New Zealand sports reporter Stephen Hewson (S80-4) has won the Philips Award for radio reporting in the National Sports Journalism Awards. Stephen has been with Radio New Zealand since 1993 and a sports reporter for four years. He has previously received awards as Sports Broadcaster of the Year and a Qantas Media Award.

Colin Feslier (T68-72) served a term as PR to the Attorney General Margaret Wilson who is also Minister of Labour and Treaty Negotiations, Associate Minister of Justice and State Services, and is now in Communications at the Dept of Internal Affairs.

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SPC Wellington News

The Rector, Grahame Duffy, resigned late last year, and has now taken up his new position as Principal of Hutt International Boys' School at Trentham. In the December 2001 College newsletter which advised of his move, he said: "I have found the position of Rector challenging and rewarding . . . the College is a vibrant place of growth, enthusiasm and commitment . . . I leave with some regret, but I know that my family life which has been difficult to enhance during my time as Rector, will now be given the time it deserves in my new appointment."

The Board of Trustees have appointed Wayne Mills as Acting Rector and Mrs Jane Holloway as Acting Deputy Rector for Terms 1 and 2. The position of Rector has been advertised and interviews will be conducted at Easter. Mrs Jane Wright, Rector's Secretary for over 18 years, also retired at the end of 2001 and has been succeeded by Mrs Geradine Parkinson.

From reading the College newsletter, the 2001 Exam Results were "very pleasing . . . considering the small Year 13." The school gained 8 Scholarships, 13 A and 16 B Bursaries. Out of 60 students who sat 3 or more Bursary papers, 44 gained entrance to university.

School Certificate results were also pleasing.

Under the NCEA, 4 students attained Level 3 (equivalent of University Entrance), 8 attained Level 2 (equivalent to Sixth Form Certificate) and 4 the National Certificate in Computers, Level 3.

Other staff changes are the return of Mr Gerard Tully as acting Assistant Rector in charge of pastoral care of students; Mr Mark Greig from Hutt Valley High School who takes over the Technology area from Mr Grant Miles who has moved to the Garin College at Nelson. Mr Tupu Williams is on study leave and Mr Rob Wakelin, Sports Assistant, left at the end of last year. Mr David Mann is the relieving teacher for Mr Williams and Mr Daniel McHardy is the new Sports Assistant.

The Deans for 2002 are:
Year 9 - Mr Wadsworth/Br Matthew Morris
Year 10 - Mr Martin
Year 11 - Mr Bishop
Year 12 - Miss Sauvao
Year 13 - Mr McGrath

The Head Prefect is Sam Huckstep and the deputies Tom Fitzsimons and Daniel Kauraka. They and Shaun Alaifea, Jack Ashby, Raja Dahya, Reuben Glen, Jonathan Greer, Andrew Grimwood, Matthew Kelly, Matthew Luamanu, Ben Maher, Tala Moemai, James Parker, Quentin Rew, Owen Sidwell and Hillary Tumaalii received their badges at the Academic Mass held on 1 February in the College Hall.

House captains are:
Watters - James Ashley, George Leen and Ed Scholtens
Kennedy - Kieran Reid, Sam O'Malley and Alistair McBride
Chanel - Phil Andrews, Daniel Fitzharris, Darwin Brooks
Redwood - Allen Chote, Paulo Agafili and Matt Hawkins

Silverstream News

The 2002 roll is 670 which the Rector considers is a good figure, without overcrowding. The numbers in the boarding school continues to decline, and efforts are being made to halt the drift. Dave Ritchie is the new Dean of Boarders.

New staff members are Jonathan Mahoney (Maths and PE), Alexandra Morris, long term reliever for Darryn Tinney (Social Studies and Geography) on a year's leave, Mary Brophy (ESOL and English), Adrian Armstrong (English and PE) long term relieving, Monica Keating (Transition and Careers). Hilary Coffey HoD Learning Support moved to Christchurch when her husband transferred there, and Liz Hume is standing in as HoD until a permanent appointment is made for Term 2.

The Deans are:
Year 13 - Libby Kirton/David Bowles
Year 12 - Simon Stack/Patrick Hallot
Year 11 - Ian Riggir/Amanda O'Brien
Year 10 - Trevor Lawrence/Neil Sinclair
Year 9 - Bevan Packer/Andrew Watterson

Matthew Donnelly from Havelock North is Head Prefect and responsible for the Spiritual Life of the College. His deputies are Frank Bourke, Wellington (Cultural Life), James Boyle, Silverstream (Academic Life) and Ben Wilderink, Wellington (Sporting Life).

The Prefects are Stephen Andersen (Pongaroa), Kieran Bambry (Pahiatua), William Clarke and Mark Houghton (Silverstream), Carlos Chu (Hong Kong), Michael Gaffey, Brad Gallen and Tu Nguyen (Upper Hutt), James Keating (Papakowhai), Sam Leuila (Stokes Valley), Michael McFarlane (Titahi Bay) and Aaron Queree (Lower Hutt). Prefects' badges were presented at the Academic Mass, attended and celebrated by Bishop John Dew and Fr Julian Wagg (S56-61).

At the 2001 Examinations we gained 2 Scholarships, 8 A Bursaries and 21 B Bursaries. The overall Bursary Pass rate was 76%.

Wayne Rooker 1st XI Soccer, left for UK in late February, one of 3 NZ students selected for a 3 week trial at FA Premier Club, Bolton Wanderers. He then joins up with the NZ SS squad for a tour of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, England, France and Spain, returning in April.

Brad Gallen is one of the six winners of the NZ Festival Composers competition, and the only one from greater Wellington. He has been rehearsing with the International Group, the 22 member Nederlands Blazers Ensemble preparing for the performance of his work