VICTORIA COLLEGE BUILDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 206, 29 August 1904, Page 5

VICTORIA COLLEGE BUILDINGS.

FOUNDATION-STONE T,ATT>. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Sunday. The foundation-stone of Vicoria College Buildings in Salamanca-road, overlooking the harbour, was laid on Saturday by His Excellency the Governor. Lord Plunket referred to the principle followed of having the main portions of the university examinations conducted by English examiners. This was an unique feature in a colonial university, anl greatly enhanced the value of tht New Zealand degree throughout the whole Empire. Colonel Pitt (Attorney-General) said when the Government was being criticised adversely" regarding its financial aid in' this matter, it should be remembered there were limits beyong which the Government could not go. However desirous they might be of assisting secondary education, primary education must not be starved. Sir Robert Stout said if they were to be suceesesful in the colony with their higher education they must adopt American rather than English methods. If the munificence displayed in the United States in helping higher eduea tion was followed in New Zealand they would not have to be continually asking money from this one and that one, and from the Government. The colleges were at present starved, and not able to provide that high standard of education which struggling competition between nations demanded. He hoped our wealthy people would give money for education, which was the greatest act oi patriotism a man could perform.