SCOTS COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2723, 18 March 1916, Page 6

SCOTS COLLEGE

THE OFFICIAL OPENING,

The formal oponing of Scots College, the building in liobson Streot recently acquired for educational purposes by the Presbyterian Church, took place in one of the class-rooms of the college last evening. The R-ev. Dr. Gibb presided at tno ocoasion, and also made tlie opening speech, the Mayor and two of the principals of the college, Mr. Dickinson and Mr. titteley, following. Dr. Gibb, in the course of his address, said that the college was supplying a long-felt want. It was a school for boys, and was the Church's first venture into this particular domain .of the educational department in Wellington. They had .already tried the experiment of conducting : girls' schools, and the success that had attended them had been' phenomenal. Inspired by the example of lona College (for girls) it'had been the intention of the Presbyterian authorities to start one for girls in Wellington, leaving tbe one for boys till later, but while thoy were considering it Wairara-pa had got to-work, and had completed their arrangements. For this reason, continued Dr. Gibb, it had been decided to start a Boys' College, the need for which was undoubtedly urgent from a Presbyterian point of view. They wanted schools for their young people that laid greater emphasis on character and greater emphasis on religious ■ questions. He would like to say that he thought it proper that the churches . should concern themselves

with education. Both in England and Scotland the schools were _almost exclusively a concern of . the churches, and he was sure that the grit and gumption in the Scot was due> to tlie Scotch Churoli and .the parochial schools. Con-

tinuing his subject, Dr. Gibb spoke of the way in which the first Scottish isettlers ot Otago had provided for educational needs. A large portion of the revenue derived from land which tfcey had set aside for the purpose had been devotod to the endowment of chairs at the University and so forth, and he wished that more had been devoted for the purposes of Presbyterian schools. The failure of the Bible-ill-schools campaign had strengthened the determination to take this work in hand, and they were determined to make the venture a success. Later on I'hey would extend their platform. He would like to see the schools connected •with their church compete with the State schools. He'was sick of the dead secularism of this country, and if they could not get religious teaching in the schools in one way, they would get it in another. Their aim was to give an education which would be second to none from an educational point of view, to compete with the other, schools in matriculation, and so forth, but also to turn out manly boys with grit, gumption, and grace. Dr. Gibb emphasised the fact that there would be no attempt at proselytising, no influence brought to bear upon the boys,. and if parents wished their soils to absont themselves from any part of the religious teaohing their wishes would be carried out.

The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) expressed his conviction that the venture of starting a Presbyterian College for boys would bo successful. The determination that -was great enough to institute_ one at' this time was sure to carry it through to a good ending. Touching' upon what had been said as to the national system of education, he thought that if a big Church in tlio community did not think the 'State moving in a direction with it, then it had a right to establish its own schools and colleges. The Scotch people were characteristically strong upon cduuu-

Mr. Dickinson, one of the principals of the Colloge, expressed the opinion that religion would play a greater part m education in Australasia in the

future. The indications in regairl to tho movement were growing stronger, and wero going to demand consideration. He understood that there was some .criticism in regard to the opening of q, school at this time, but in his opinion it was most opportune. In the reconstruction that would follow this great world struggle, education would play an enormous part; would indeed hold" one of the first places. There was no apology needed for strengthening tlie socin-l structure of society at this time. Mr. TJtteley, a co-principal, also spoko.

A musical programme had boon arranged, and the different items wero sandwiched in between the speeches. Supper was served in an adjoining room, a committee of ladies carrying out tho arrangements. Before leaving, the visi, tors made a tour of inspection over tho building, with which they oxpresscd much, satisfaction.

Amohg those who wore present, in addition to tho speakers of the evening were tho Mayoress (Mrs. Luke), also the Hon, J. 0. AY. Aitkeri, M.L.C., who is a I member of tho Board of Governors.