WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4237, 19 October 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

THE INAUGURATION. Three months ago a meeting was held of the governors of the Wellington College, and of persons interested in the management of that institution, when it was agreed, after some discussion, that a ball should be held commemorative of the instalment of the masters and scholai's in the new building. The idea was very strongly expressed that the scholars should not be “left out in the'cold,” in a fete that should have for its object the introduction of both teachers and pupils to a college that would be alike to the credit of Wellington and the colony. To see how there might be a royal road constructed to learning by a fete to pupils, was rather a difficult task ; but the fact remains that the idea of the ball was abandoned, and a banquet was arranged at which parents, pupils, and friends sat, as it were, upon one common platform. On such an occasion as this it may be worth recalling to mind that the original grant of land for the purpose of founding a college was made by Sir George Grey, on October 7, 1853, and it consisted of 10a. 3r. 17p., situated in Fitzherbert terrace, Cambridge terrace, and Willis street. Control was vested in various trustees ; and in 1868, the • funds having accumulated, the old Grammar School was erected, at a cost of £I2OO. The site had been leased to the trustees by the Corporation, at a peppercorn rent; aud although the building was sufficient for the day, it subsequently was found to be inadequate. Then, in 1872, the' Wellington College Act was passed, aud under it the Superintendent and Speaker of the Provincial Council, the Mayor of Wellington, and Messrs. Gisborne, Travers, Pearce, W. Johnston, and Brandon, became governors, with power to erect a college. They opened a subscription list, and the Provincial Council assisted liberally with a vote of £ISOO. This was to supplement private subscriptions to a similar amount, and the Corporation most liberally handed over to the trustees about ninety acres of land out of the Townjielt. Subsequently, under an act of the General Assembly, a loan of £SOOO was effected. .The rental derived from the lands vested in the hands of the governors is not inconsiderable, but, considering the merely nominal sum charged as fees for the pupils, it would be insufficient if further aid were not afforded. However, the Provincial Government has voted £IOOO per annum towards the payment of salaries, during the next four yearn. Towards the salary of the lecturer, Mr. T. Kirk, F.L.S., the New Zealand University, to which the college is affiliated, contributes £3OO per annum. He gives three courses each year, in geology, botany, and zoology, respectively. The weather, early on Saturday morning, did not promise pleasantly. The wind had shifted to the S.E., and alight shoivefa of rain fell soon after morning broke. The cloud* hung around Mount Victoria in ■ fleecy palls, and there was something more than a possibility that there would be wind, or wet, or both; but towards the middle of the day there was a decided improvement in the appearance of things. If visitors did not arrive in crowds, they did come in sufficient numbers to show that they took a genuine interest in the proceedings announced to take place ; and when there many expressed their satisfaction at what they saw. The fierceness of the southeasterly gales that occasionally prevail is broken by the hills at the rear of the college. It is situated, of course, at a little distance from town ; but the masters have now ninety acres of ground for the recreation of their pupils. The Provincial Government, with praiseworthy forethought, have constructed roads to the college. The prisoners at the gaol, when not otherwise employed, have reclaimed land and laid waste hills. The idea is in contemplation, in process of time, to make lawns, croquet and cricket grounds. A plantation has been commenced. In short, it is the determination to make of the Wellington College grounds the miniature of an English park and pleasure ground. The pupils at the college suffered a severe decrease in number when the recent head master left. They are now, however, increasing, and as they count sixty, and have increased to that number from thirty, there is a fair prospect before the college. At present, there are . only three resident boarders, but there is accommodation provided for eighteen. Throughout the morning, visitors came and went, and the sports engaged in by the juveniles were regarded with considerable interest. The prize* to be distributed were displayed on a table iri front of the college. These consisted of various plated mugs, a cricket bat, games, books, &c. At half-past one o’clock His Excellency arrived, aud was received by the. Superintendent and by the masters of the college, the latter being dressed in, caps and canonicals. His Excellency waa accompanied by Captain Fergusson, A.D.C., by Mrs. Fergusson, and Miss Bradford—Lady Fergusson, to the regret of many persons, not being well enough to attend. The fine band of the Artillery company was in attendance, and subsequently to the prizes being distributed a photograph was taken of the group of ladies and gentlemen present. THE SPORTS. Hop, Step, and Jump. —Allcomers. Ist prize, large album, value 245. There were five entries. J. Bums won the first prize, clearing 37ft; A. Bishop came in for second.

Plat Race, 100 Yards. —Boys between twelve and fourteen years old. Three prizes—--Ist prize, ivory chessmen and backgammon board, 275. 6d.; 2nd prize, box of paints, 15s. ; 3rd prize, book, 7s. This was unmistakably a youngsters' race, no fewer than fourteen coming to the scratch. The prizes fell to the following boys:—lst, G. St. John ; 2nd, P. Hammerton; 3rd, J. Taylor. Plat Race, JloO Yards.— Boys between ten and twelve years old. Prize, box of games, 20s. Six entries were made. H. Gore reached the tape first, and J. St. John second. Running High Jump.— Boys over twelve years old. Prize, caue-hondled bat, 255. fid. The prize bat fell to 0. Kreeft for a jump of 4ft. tin. J. Bums took second prize. Plat Race, 80 Yards.— Boys under ten years old.—lst prize, book, 9s. fid.; 2nd prize, book, 4s. fid. A. Gore was first, and P. Drausfield second. There were five entries. Manx or Three-Legged Race, 100 Yards. — All-comers’ race. Ist prize, two mugs, 325.; 2nd prize, two desks, Ifis. Six pair of lads converted themselves temporarily into Siamese-twins for this race, the light leg of one being lashed to the left leg of the other. They ran three pair at a time, and then ran off to decide the heats. W. Crawford and E. Martin evidently had more beef and metal than the other boys, and won the first prize easily. J. St. John and W. Martin came in for second prize. Throwing Cricket Ball. —All-comers. Prize, mug, 16s. Seven competitors appeared. J. Burns, who was the most muscular, took first prize by a, fine throw of seventy-three yards. A. Bishoj) made an excellent throw for second. Vaulting.—All-comers. Ist prize, mug, 205.; 2nd prize, mug/HOs. This event created, the greatest amount of interest, from the fstcji that the lads were pretty evenly balanced. 'JVhat some of them possessed in strength 'was equalised by agility in the others, so that It was difficult to guess who would bear off the mug—not the palm, in this case. Five entered, and persevered gallantly until the bar was faised beyond the seven feet, when the victory lay between three—Martin, Crawford, and .Nichols. Contrary to appearances and expectations, Martin managed to wriggle . himself over at 7ft. fiiu., which was just a shavh too high for Nichols, who got second prize.q, Crawford had found it too difficult at a lower leVel. ' . Running Long J ump.— Boys under twelve years old. Prize, box of games, 7s. fid. J. St. John carried off this prize from three others. Flat Race’, Half-Mile. —Boys over fourteen years'old. Prize, an oak mug, 355. This was a capital race, over bing ground to the bo—himself the best - of foot, and

rest being bcllowsecl, except Smith, who ran a , plucky second. Flat Race, 150- Yards. —All losers. Ist prize, Chinese backgammon board, 225. ; 2nd prize, mathematical instruments, 7s. Cd. ; 3rd prize, book, ss. This resulted —Dransfield (1), Smith (2), and Thirkell (3). Flat Face, 150 Yards. — Old boys’ race. Prize, mug, 255. This was almost a walk-over for Bishop. THE DINNER. At half-past two o'clock His Excellency was ushered to the lecture hall, which had been finely decorated for the occasion by Mr. Douecker, who was caterer, and provided most excellent rcfre diment*. Around the hall hung the flags of various nations ; three tables with a transept were fully set out in it, and around these the guests were so closely grouped that the students at the college, with the members of the band, had, for the most part, to take a second turn. Hia Excellency had for a vis a vis His Honor the Superintendent. Glasses having bean charged, His Excellency said ; Mr. Superintendent, and ladies and gentlemen, X can assure you that I have too much respect, at least for the fairer part of my audience, to trouble you with any long or unnecessary speeches. There are, however, one or two toasts which upon such an occasion as this cannot be omitted ; and especially I would ask you to begin by drinking the health of Her Majesty the Queen, who has no more loyal subjects than in New Zealand. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. His Excellency then proposed the toast of Hia Royal Xlighness the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family, which was honored in the customary manner. His Honor the Superintendent : I am sure that a hearty response will be given to the toast lam about to propose. It is not because I am about to propose the representative of Her Majesty that I am already assured of an enthusiastic response—it is not only in the capacity of representative of Her Majesty that I am about to propose the health of Sir James Fergusson (cheers) ; it is also that on this day—which may be called a kind of commemoration day—he is present in the capacity of a visitor, to the Wellington College. It is well indeed, ladies and gentlemen, when those in high places take an interest in great institutions of this sort. lam not going to inflict on you a speech. We hope to hear the speech of the day from Sir James Fergusson, than whom none of our leading men are capable of imparting more useful information with respect to the great question of education. But there is one thing which has impressed itself upon my mind, and you will pardon me for alluding to it. There is a most remarkable occurrence taking place, as it' appears to me, in a country which is full of interest and example for us, and for any other young country—l mean in America. In the old country the uneducated classes are running away from it, while in the other the converse appears to be the case —the educated classes are rushing away from America to find a home and sympathy in Europe. There is a great lesion to be learnt from that; and I can only express my opinion that that young country will be a happy country if it knows enough to cultivate the residence amongst them of those possessing the very highest class of education and secures the rearing' up amongst them of men possessed of the highest education. With these remarks I will call upon you to drink with no ordinary enthusiasm the health of His Excellency the Governor, and in the double capacity to which I have referred. The toast was drunk with enthusiastic cheering. The band—“ The National Anthem.”

His Excellency, who upon rising was received with loud applause, said ; Your Honor the Superintendent, and ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very heartily for your very kind recognition, not only of my office, but of my»elf personally. In response to the toast proposed by the Superintendent, I may say that I have very great pleasure in attending on this occasion, of which, I can assure you, I estimate the importance at a very high rate. I thank the Superintendent and the other governors of the college for having, to a great extent, consulted my personal convenience in the selection of the day for the present ceremony ; andlwouldatthi3momentoffcTß.nlmml>le - apology if in any degree the result of what was a convenience to me was the means of inconveniencing others. As to the day originally fixed, and upon which my presence here was somewhat uncertain, I had heen assured by the highest authority, namely .the captain to whom I had committed myself, that I should arrive in time. That gallant individual kept his word in spite of very unfavorable weather ; and had you seated yourselves the day before yesterday, instead of to-day, I should have been able to take my place. I am happy to say, however, that the delay has been attended with advantage, inasmuch as we have much more favorable weather by which the success of the fete has been greatly enhanced. Ladies and gentlemen, I have been mentioned to you speciallyasyourvisitor,and I regret indeed that I am not only a visitor but a parting guest. I will not interfere with a more important topic by travelling into a personal question; but I shall, with the utmost sincerity, say, that so kind has been the feeling expressed towards myself since my departure was announced, that I have over and over again felt and said that, had I the power to reconsider my decision, I do not think I could have the heart to leave New Zealand. (Loud and prolonged applause.) But, ladies and gentlemen, I am sincerely happy that it has been my fortune and privilege to take part in this celebration, which I trust is the opening and promise of a bright period of usefulness of this great institution which, in its inception and in the progress already made, does so great credit to the province of Wellington, Whether my honorable and respected friend the Superintendent’s days are, like my own, numbered, I will not say ; but I will say that on no part of his honorable and useful career can he look back with more satisfaction than upon the recollection of having raised an institution calculated to do so much good to the community in which he held so prominent a position ; because I look upon the ceremony of to-day as inaugurating a hopeful future. No one can estimate the educational question at a higher rate than I do myself; and if it be of importance in an old country, it is of tenfold more importance in a young country, where popular institutions are of the most extended character, where the people have power in theirown hands. How can we hope they will see what is to their own advantage and to the honor of the country from which they sprung if they have not been trained to the exercise of those powers and rights placed in their hands ? I trust that the time is not far distant when the poor man’s education will be of the highest kind, and will be sxtcndcd to every comer of this colony. But it is not sufficient that what is commonly called education—that is to say, that it shall be the means of raisingthe human intellect so that a man shall be more than a mere brute—shall be provided. Something more than that is required. We must place within the reach of the people that higher form of education which will provide the governing classes that direct the destinies of the colony with full provision for obtaining that highest form of education without which no civilised community can be governed with advantage. It would be a grievous thing indeed, were the luxuries of education alone to be regarded, were the youth of the higher and middle classes alone to be taken care of, and the children of the working man prevented from entering that school where they may become fitted for the duties of life. But it would be as great a mistake if the State alone provided for the instruction of our children in the mere elements of education. Wo cannot mistake the f act that we must be* dependent in these young countries to a great extent upon ourselves for the provision of that education required by those who are intended for the learned professions. The competition at home is great, no doubt, but so are the inducements to remain at heme ; and men who have been well educated will risk and endure great privations with the hope of the greater prizes always present in an old and wealthy community. And in the many professions which are essential to civilisation, such as the church, the bar, the medical

. profession, and even the most noble profession of the schoolmaster itself—we must depend on our own exertions to keep the ranks of those professions supplied. Should our governing bodies become insensible to this necessity and take no serious steps to supply this want, wo should undoubtedly within a few years see most important positions filled by men not fitted by education and training to do their duty sufficiently; and in many respects the community would undoubtedly suffer, and the tone of public morality would decay. I rejoice to know that this colony has not been insensible to this, for we have schools which have already shown their efficiency by the success achieved by their pupils who have travelled homowai'ds to compete with those educated in Euglaad at our own older institutions. (Applause). I think wo should greatly err were we to regret that the most promising of our pupils resort to the mother country for the completion of their education by availing themselves of its superior institutions. On the contrary, I believe the beat results will flow from the taking the brightest of our youths where they may obtain that higher education which is to be found in the seats of learning of Europe, especially those of England and Germany, where they may acquire that liberality of information which is to be found by converse with the world. But I trust that many who go home for the completion of their education will not disdain to return, and dedicate their acquirements and exertions to the welfare of the colony from which they have spnmg. Such a course will, I believe, be of eminent advantage. We should have amongst us men whose education has been wider and deeper than wbat we can hope to give here ; but we must look in the main to colonial institutions to give us all the essentials of education. This institution, which I hope will open a new and brighter chapter to-day, is not a new one. I have been furnished with a statement of the history of this institution, but I will only trouble you with one or two of tbs leading features, which I should do wrong in not recalling to your recollection. Wellington College was founded twenty-one years ago by my distinguished predecessor, , Sir George Grey, whose forethought and judgment are deeply marked in the history of New Zealand by the establishment of similar institutions to this, to which he made sundry endowments vested in trustees. In 1872, an Act of the General Assembly was passed, incorporating the present Governors, who have built the present college at a cost of about £9OOO, towards which the Provincial Council has voted £ISOO, the trustees of the late Savings Bank £I3OO, private subscriptions £ISOO, the remainder being still an encumbrance on the endowments of the college. The college is affiliated to the University of New Zealand, which contributes £3OO per annum towards the salary of the natural science lecturer (Mr. Thos. Kirk, F.L.S.). Further endowments in the shape of reserves of land have been made by the present Provincial Government. The scholastic arrangements are in the hands of Mr. Kenneth Wilson, A. B. Cantab, who was specially selected for the post by Dr. Yaughan, Reader of the Temple, late head master of Harrow. A donation of £IOOO has just been made to the college by Mr. Walter Turnbull of this city—(loudapplause)—for the endowment of two scholarships of £25 each, and two annual prizes of £ls and £lO respectively, the scholarships tenable by undergraduates of the University of Now Zealand attending the Wellington College. There are also four scholarships,open to all pupils attending the primary schools of the province, capable of being held either before or during their undergraduate course, the two series of scholarships thus giving an opportunity of obtaining a complete course of education. The governors have supplied ample accommodation for a library and museum in connection with the Natural Science Department, and, assisted by Mr. Kirk, have already formed the nucleus of a natural history collection, towards which it is hoped and expected that the general public will contribute liberally, a contribution of £25 towards the library having. been already given by Mr. Travers, F.L.S. Ladies and gentlemen, I should not think on an occasion like the present of entering more widely than I have done already into the general question of education, and I would only say this, that while we cannot aim at a degree of scholarship too high, we should, in my opinion, be doing wrong to insist upon too wide a scope for the youth of the colony. Some of the greatest scholars of England have objected to the insistence upon the study of Greek, even in grammar schools founded especially for classical learning ; and I am glad to know that it is possible for young men to receive a thorough education without aiming at high classical and mathematical attainments. I trust that the degrees which are obtained in the older universities may be obtainable in this, and that a liberal encouragement will always be given towards the development of higher scholarship and the placing it within the reach of all ranks of the people, not confining it merely to those who can find time to go into the higher branches of learning. I trust also that in this institution the education of the body, which tends greatly to the benefit and accomplishment of the individual, will be attended to as well as that of the mind. On the whole, I think from what we have seen we may augur favorably of this institution. I think the colony will owe a debt of gratitude to those gentlemen who have placed themselves at the head of this institution. Although it is now my pleasing and important privilege to occupy the first place on this occasion, I can take no credit for that, when I remember the services of those gentlemen to whom I have referred ; and while we wish success with all our hearts to an institution calculated to do so much good to the colony, let us remember and cordially recognise the governors of the college, and at their head Hia Honor the Superinterfdent. (Loud applause.) I therefore give you “ Prosperity to Wellington College, and health to the Governors, and especially His Honor the Superintendent.” Drunk with enthusiasm. Band—“ For he is a jolly good fellow.” His Honor the Superintendent : Your Excellency and ladies and gentlemen, I should be insensible indeed if I did not heartily thank you for the kind manner in which you have received the toast of the health of the Governors of the College, including my own name. If I were to say that to-day was not a day of unwonted pleasure, of unusual gratification, a day which, according to an olden expression, should be a day marked with white chalk, I would be laying myself open to the charge of affectation. Nevertheless the part I have taken is only that of one amongst many others, and had I not been loyally supported, all those efforts and aspirations must have fallen to the ground. I feel, therefore, that while my name has been coupled with this toast, a great portion of the praise is clue to others beside myself. It is needless for me to detain you by any references to the advantages that flow from a diffused education, because I feel they are fully manifest to all your minds ; but whatever the benefits may bo that are conferred by education in an old country, they are doubly so in a new country. I believe we have to-day, by this inauguration, set our faces, as it were, iu another direction, and declared that there are other objects worthy of living for than simply amassing a fortune. After all, our efforts in connection with this college would be of no avail whatever if those higher instruments were not the appropriate instruments for the occasion. In reality the whole success of this institution, at the particularly critical period of its inauguration, depends upon how the present governors of the college happened to find the right men in the right place. In that selection I am very hopeful I have the greatest possible confidence in the sound judgment, combined with the high scholastio attainments of Dr. Vaughan, and I think experience has justified us in believing that the true man for the position has been selected. In returning yon my sincere thanks on this occasion, I cannot conclude without proposing the health of the new principal of the college. The toast was drunk with honor*, and one cheer more for Mrs. Wilson.

Mr. Wir.soN said ho could assure them that he was not at all prepared to be called upon on that occasion to respond in person, but he was not the less sensible of the kind manner in which they had received his name. Still he felt perfectly conscious that the statements re-

garcliug himself must arise rather from a sense of something expected than from gratitude for favors received, because they could not ye know whether he could fulfil their expectations or not. He could at any rate assure them that ho entered upon his duties with a full «ense of the responsibilities entailed. He felt that from the first day he was nominated, and nothing had since been wanting to impress that fact upon his mind. He could say that he had come here to remain, and to be prepared to do his utmost in the service of that institution, and in the promotion of education in the province of Wellington. They came there with no thought of the future; they came out bringing all their household gods with them, without any thought as to what the future might bring. Let the future provide for that. Their step had been the result of feeling. He was glad to see, from the present company, that there was no want of spirit to provide work for them to do. The only thing was whether they were equal to do it, but that the future only oouid decide. He would mention, to impress upon all those there that day, in respect to children educated at that college, that ho hoped the system adopted there would be such as to provide a thoroughly efficient training and education in the real sense of the word. They did not profess to simply provide instruction in this or that branch of knowledge, nor did they make it their first aim to prepare youths especially for this or that profession or examination. They had every confidence that their pupils would be able to hold their own against the world, at all events against New Zealand, in business professions, Civil Service, and in other examinations. But these were not their first aims. Their first great aim would be to select those subjects, and such a course of study, as should conduce to the inoit efficient training and education of those committed to their charge; and they would leave it to them to decide afterwards as to what particular course they would devote themselves to, or what their circumstance in life might suggest; and he would ask all those interested in the question to bear that in mind, and to consider that the course of education given in that institution must be taken as a whole, indivisibly, not taking exception to this or that branch. In judging of their work it should be remembered that exception could not be taken to one part ■without destroying or at least injuring the efficiency of the whole. . They hoped their pupils would succeed as well or better than others in whatever special branches of work they might devote themselves to; but they' trusted they should indelibly impress upon them that the aim and end of education was not the attainment of any cei-tain number of marks, nor the qualifying of one’s self for the fulfilment of some particular duty—that education is worth having for itself, and that a man who has a thorough and efficient training possesses resources in himself against all the adversities which can possibly come upon him in this world. This was their work, and they looked to those around them to support them in that work. His Honor the Superintendent had said that the success of auy institution like that rested with those who had the control of it. Well, he would feel disposed to pass that on, and say that the success of the institution really rested with the parents who sent their sons there. (Applause.) Mr. Wilson then returned his heartfelt thanks for the Idnd manner in which the toast of his health, and that of Mrs. Wilson, had been responded to. Mr. Gisborne said it had been said by an old classical authority that it was always proper to mix that which was useful with that which was sweet. Hia toast was of the latter character, for it was “The health of Lady Fergusson and the Ladies.” He was sure they must all regret the absence of Lady Fergusson and its cause, and equally sure that all would express their hope that she would soon have renewed and restored health ; and that however short her stay will have been in. New Zealand, she would, however much the enjoyment of that, stay had been marred by bad health, ever associate it with recollections of a pleasing kind of both the people and the land. Generally, the fair sex is the best, the most agreeable, and the most educational institution of mankind. As children, we owe our education to our mothers, and perhaps, in some cases, to affectionate female relatives ; as wo grow older, we are taught sentiment by young ladies, and without sentiment this world would indeed be a world without a sun; while generally, when we become children of an larger growth we enter into and graduate in the school of matrimony. He was sure that in this presence he need not dilate upon its advantages, which were, moreover, more easy to be imagined than described. Benedicts know from experience the great scholastic advantages of the institution, and bachelors are always bidding for matriculation iu it. With that short prelude he would ask for that enthusiastic response which he knew they were ardently longing to give to the toast—“ The health of Lady Fergusson and the Ladies.” The toast was responded to, with several cheers more added.

His Excellency replied on behalf of Lady Fergusson, who, he said, was deeply sensible of the kind consideration which had been shown her by very many ladies in the colony. In connection with the toast, he said he hoped it would not be forgotten that there was one lady upon whom, to a very great extent, the success of the college would depend, namely, the wife of the principal. It was very encouraging to those who -wished the institution success to know that Mrs. Wilson took a groat interest in the boys committed to the care of her husband, and he was sure that her gentle influence over the boys would be long felt with advantage. The company then broke up.