Reporter’s Diary (Press, 28 April 1981)

A school is a collective entity that extends beyond its current students, encompassing a wealth of historical items associated with its past. This notion is particularly relevant as Christchurch Boys’ High School prepares to celebrate its centennial. Organisers are actively seeking memorabilia, including old straw boater hats, sports equipment, cups, medals, photographs, and school magazines, which will be loaned for the occasion. This initiative aims to help reminisce with over 3000 former pupils who will gather next week, rekindling memories from their time at the school. One notable contribution comes from a former pupil, Mr William Deans, who, at 90 years old, has lent a Bible he received from his house master in 1907. Mr Deans carried the Bible with him throughout the First World War, including during his injury at Gallipoli, thus adding a significant historical context to the collection. In a lighter tale, a gnome named Cedric disappeared from the front lawn of a Christchurch flat belonging to members of a local football club. After his absence, he was found in photographs taken across Australia, showcasing him at iconic locations such as the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Upon his return, Cedric was discovered with a brown face and sunglasses, a testament to his sun-soaked adventure down under. Meanwhile, a Wellington radio station, 2YD, has made strides in inclusivity by providing Cambodian language broadcasts through its “Access Radio” programme. This effort aims to serve the small Cambodian refugee community in New Zealand, and discussions are underway for a potential service dedicated to the Vietnamese community, which has grown to over 500 individuals in the South Island, indicating a significant demand for such programming. In Melbourne, police are controversially proposing to prune some of the city’s historic ornamental trees to enhance security for Commonwealth ministers and officials travelling to the Commonwealth Conference in September. This plan, which involves the installation of $750,000 worth of police television security monitors, has met with discontent from city planners, who argue that the 80-year-old elm trees might not survive the pruning. One planner suggested that if the police are so concerned for the safety of VIPs, they should consider providing armoured transport instead. Lastly, a Victorian photograph album acquired by a resident in Riccarton has revealed family pictures taken around 1887 and 1888. Sadly, only two subjects are identified: Ethel May Vivian as a baby and a young boy named Lionel George James Slade. The resident is inviting potential descendants of those captured in the photographs to contact them to reclaim these historical images.

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