The Evening Citizen; Ottawa, Ont.; November 13, 1948 -
His Excellency Viscount Alexander of Tunis, Governor General of Canada, yesterday afternoon laid the corner-stone of the new Fisher Park Secondary School, to become next year, Ottawa’s fifth high school. For a few minutes and without shedding any of his vice-regal dignity, before the hundreds of interested spectators, the Governor general performed the task of a skilled artisan.
While a 48-voice choir from Commerce, directed by S.R. Berry sang a selection entitled “Dedication,” His Excellency dipped into the mortar with a special silver trowel and with the dexterity of an experienced stone mason, spread the cementing substance evenly over the foundation stone. As a workman cranked a winch on the floor above and lowered the great sandstone slab into place, the Governor General tapped it with the silver trowel and said “I declare this stone well and truly laid.” Viscountess Alexander, who witnessed her famous husband lay the stone which bears his name and details of the event, joined in the round of spontaneous applause which followed.
Will Fill Need
In his brief address, the Governor general said the new school will fill a long felt need in the city of Ottawa and that it is on such buildings that the nation depends for the advanced education of its citizens of tomorrow. “It is a symbol of the free and democratic institutions upon which the nation depends.” he said. “It is my earnest hope that Fisher Park school may contribute to the moral and intellectual welfare and progress of the nation.”
he said. In his remarks, S.F. Dadson, chairman of the Collegiate Institute of the Board of Ottawa said the new secondary school to accommodate 900 Ottawa West students, would give academic, commercial and technical instruction designed to provide the pupils with a good background that would fit them to make a gainful livelihood. “Perhaps there has been no time more than today when a good education and clear thinking was more necessary,” he declared.
The silver trowel, suitably engraved to commemorate the occasion, was given to His Excellency as a souvenir by Mr. Dadson on behalf of the Collegiate board, and Mrs. Dadson presented Viscountess Alexander with a large bouquet of red roses.
While members of the collegiate board were being introduced to His Excellency, appropriate music was provided by a composite band of students from Lisgar and Glebe collegiates, the High School of Commerce and the Technical High School, under the direction of William A. McCauley, music instructor at Technical High School, The Governor General earlier shook hands in true democratic style, with master mason John Whitehorn, who with his assistant, aided His Excellency to guide the stone into place.
Their Excellencies were accompanied by Maj. C. Chichester and Miss Anstie Gibbs, lady-in-waiting.
The ceremony was arranged by Frank G. Patten, business administrator of the collegiate board.
