KING'S COLLEGE, AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1279, 7 November 1911, Page 3

KING'S COLLEGE, AUCKLAND

THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFER. A meeting of representative citizens was held in the Chamber of Commerce, Swanson btreet, Auckland, on Friday, for the purpose of considering the offer made by ,! ii J-- Jlajor, tho principal of King's C? lege, Reinuera, to transler tho goodwill or the school gratuitously to any bodv ot citizens .possessing public confidence, provided that a suitable site of at least acres be purchased for the school in "L™ .Auckland, and not less than «t-O,UOO is lorthcoming for the erection ot new school buildings. There was a large attendance, the members of the lung s College Old Boys' Association being specially well represented. The Mavor of Auckland (Mr. C. J. Parr) presided. Ihe chairman said the State did not provide boarding schools, and it was, thereiore, necessary that private enterstep m and supply this want, iung s College now had some 300 boys in attendance, and its name was well known throughout New Zealand. lue terms upon which Mr. Major agreed to hand over the college were explained by Mr. Thomas Cotter, iv.C. These provide that the new school shall have accommodation for at least 150 boarders and 300 day boys; that subject to the payment of interest to tho persons subscribing or advancing the ,£20,001 at a rate not exceeding live per cent., tho net earning of the school will be applied to the school purposes only; that the buildings must include a duly-consecrated chapel; and, that religious instruction, in conformity with tho teaching of the Church of England, must be a part of the regular curriculum, subject to a "conscience clause" for day boys. Mr. Alec Hcid, president of tho King's College Old Boys' Association, moved, "That in the opinion of this meeting it is highly desirable the Auckland province should possess a public school of the class referred, to in the circular letter of invitation to this meeting, and that Mr. Major's offer to transfer King's College as a nucleus for such a school should be accepted. Tho college being a pnvatelvconducted institution at present, it could not be expected to compete with the Wanganui, Christ's, and other New Zealand colleges, and as a result they found that the sons of many prominent citizens In Auckland were being sent south, to attend theso institutions. If the present proposals were carried into effect, this exodus would not continue, and instead boys would be drawn to Auckland from the south. Although the school was onlyfounded 15 years ago, and the old boys wero very young men, he was prepared on behalf of the association to guarantee JEIOOO, this amount having been subscribed in sums ranging from .£1 to .£IOO. (Applause.) Bishop Crossley seconded the motion. He stated that while religious instruction was to be given tho college was not to be governed by tho Church. Tho motion was carried unanimously. Mr. J. H. Gunkm moved: "That a committee be appointed to give effect to the foregoini resolution, and arrange the scheme of finance most suitable for the purpose in view, tho committee to consist of the following I The Right Rev. the Bishop of Auckland, the Hon. E. Mitcholson,' tho Rev. W. Bcatty, Professor Dettmann. Dr. M'Dowell, Messrs. H. W. Hudson, V. J. Larner, J. C. Macky, H. B. Morton, J. W. Stewart, C. J. Tunks, and the president K.C.0.8.'s Association (with power to add to its numbers)." Speaking as a citizen not associated with the college and not a member of the Anglican faith, Mr. Gunson said the offer made by Mr. Major was a very handsome one, and it behoved tho citizens to take the proposals up and place the institution in a position in which it could wield lasting good upon future generations. (Applause.) Mr. H. W. Hudson seconded tho resolution. He mentioned that Mr. David Nathan had guaranteed .£IOOO towards tho object, making the third ,£IOOO, Mr. Major having offered tho first .£IOOO. _ The motion was carried unanimously.