CHRIST’S HOSPITAL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1930, Page 8

CHRIST’S HOSPITAL

AN EMPIRE TRAINING GROUND. PRINCE OF WALES’S VISIT. LONDON, November 17. The Prince of Wales travelled by air on Tuesday to Horsham, to open the new block of science buildings and a new quadrangle at Christ's Hospital (popularly known as the Bluecoat School). The new block of buildings has been built and equipped to provide facilities for education in scientific agriculture so that boys who have an aptitude for natural science may be encouraged to become research students, for whom there is urgent need at home, and more particularly in the Dominions.

Addressing the boys from a platform in the new quadrangle, the Pi nee (who was present in his capacity of Chairman of Christ’s Hospital) said it was very satisfactory to know that no money has been borrowed and no capital sacrificed for the provision of this now building. Half the cost has come from the income oi •Christ’s Hospital, which since the War has been so efficiently, administered by tlie Council of Almoners and their Treasurers, while the other half has come from the gifts of friends of the school.

“The new building, which adds so finely to the beauty and usefulness of this great and ancient school,” continued the Prince, “is to he used mainly for the teaching of geography and of natural sciences, among which J understand biology will now-be able to take its proper place beside chemistry and physics. Knowing as I do the need of scientific investigators to fill posts in outlying parts of the Empire, The teaching of geography and biology has for me a special appeal. They are both Imperial subjects, and they both make for the better understanding of mankind. To appreciate, through a study of biology, hotli the variety and the unity of all organic life is the surest path of sympathy and sound philosophy. And if the best way to get on happily with foreigners is to travel among them, certainly the second best way is to study in the geography laboratory their manners and customs and the conditions under which they live. \ IMPERIAL INTERESTS,

“And that is true not only of foreigners, but also of our kinsmen oversea. Christ’s Hospital is famed for its Imperial interests. Many old Blues in recent years have settled in New Zealand, in Canada, in Australia, and in South Africa. It seemed quite natural, therefore, that a Canadian University in their search for a principal, should have cast a covetous eye on our headmaster, and taken him from us. Though we can ill afford to lose him, we congratulate the Canadians on their choice of Mr Fyfe, to whose inception this building is due. The Council of Almoners have made it worthy of its purpose, and I have no doubt that under the able administration of our new headmaster, Mr Flecker, the admirable facilities provided will stimulate in the boys of love of nature and their country, and make them good citizens. With this hope and a praver for the continued prosperity of Christ’s Hospital, I ffiave much pleasure in declaring this building open.” (Cheers).