PRINCE ALBERT COLLEGE CLOSED.

A SMALLER ESTABLISHMENT

POSSIBLE.

Prince Albert College, an educational institution under Methodist management, situated on an imposing site at the top of Queen-street, is to be discontinued. The decision has been arrived at for financial reasons, the free scholarships and other facilities for secondary education now afforded by the Government having affected the college. The closing of the college had been in contemplation for some little time past, and when Mr. S. Stephenson, M.A., (who succeeded Mr. T. Jackson, M.A., a year ago), recently resigned the headmaster ship to take up a position in Victoria, it was felt that the time was opportune for closing the college. It was therefore decided not to make a new appointment, but to close up. The college property will probably be sold.

The Prince Albert College building has been an educational centre for a very long period. The early Wesleyan missionaries first bought the land and established the " Wesley School," appointing the Rev. J. IT. Fletcher as principal. Then Dr. MeArthur, now S.M. at Wellington, took over the school in what is now the upper building. The Prince Albert College, under AVesleyan management, came into existence about ten years ago. The excellence of the work clone at the school has always been recognised, but the heavy financial strain and the slackened support of the last few years have been more than the funds available could bear, hence the step taken to close the college.

The Probert estate, represented by property opposite Messrs Dumpers store in the Great North-road, had for years past, under the will of the testator, paid the cost of training about six theological students at the college, and the question of making provision to continue this work will be discussed at the next annual conference. At the present moment two alternative solutions seem to offer themselves. Either the theological students can be sent out to the "Wesley College" at Three Kings, which is considered scarcely desirable; or smaller premises may be secured about tho city for their reception and the reception of a number of ordinary scholars. If the latter course be determined on, some time must elapse before the new school can be in working order, so that there seems to be no way of avoiding a distinct break in the educational work. The ordinary pupils at the college today number just over a. 100. The teaching stafl' consists of eight teachers and three visiting teachers. Four of the former have lately secured other positions. The college was closed nominally on December 31st. The pupils, however, left on December ISth for their summer holiday, will have 'to find new schools for the re-assembling date in February next.