Nelson College

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 156, 3 July 1937, Page 1 (Supplement)

Nelson College

OPENED in 1856, Nelson College is one of the oldest schools in New Zealand. It owed its foundation to the educational and religious ideals of the early setters of the colony. The New Zealand Company decided to devote to" educational purposes a certain portion of the money received by it for its land. Accordingly, after much delay, certain moneys were set aside, a deed of foundation drawn up, and the school suitably endowed as an undenominational school "for the advancement of religion and morality and the promotion of useful knowledge, by offering to the youth of the district general education of a superior character." 1 Later, in 1858, a Nelson College Act was passed bv the Legislature, and the deed of foundation of the .Nelson College was thus placed upon record amongst the laws of the land. The «ollege first opened with a mere handful of pupils in a building in the town of Nelson. It soon moved to a new wooden building on its present site, where its commanding position overlooking the town, and its architectural beauty, made it one of the most handsome wooden buildings in the colony. The school grew rapidly, particularly under one of its most famous headmasters, Mr. W. S. * Littlejohn, who later became principal of Scotch College, Melbourne. When His Excellency Governor Gore-Brown laid the foundation stone of the old wooden school in 1859, the architect referred to the school's one enemy—fire. In 1904, exactly forty-five years later, .his forebodings were fulfilled, and fire destroyed the school. Nelson College then ceased to be a private school; the Government took over, rebuilding the school in brick. From then dates the introduction of the free place system into the school. Unfortunately, by building in brick the authorities did not provide against another" enemy, earthquake, and in 1929 the school was again destroyed. Temporary classrooms were built, temporary boarding accommodation was found,"and the school carried on. Since then new houses

have been built for the boarders, and it is hoped that this year a start may be made at rebuilding the main school on the old site overlooking the playing fields. The new houses, earthquake-proof and fireproof in structure, are probably the most up-to-date and best-equipped buildings of their kind in the Dominion. The latest addition to the school is a technical block, for Nelson College, though preserving its academic traditions, in some respects tries to mould itself upon Oundle. the English public school, maintaining that for many boys great value is derived from the training of hand" and eye, and that true education lies in the development of all the senses. From its mere handful of original pupils the school has now a roll of some five hundred and fifty boys, two hundred of whom are boarders coming from all parts of New Zealand and even from overseas. Situated on a hill—College Hill —the school looks down upon the quiet town of Nelson. There are three houses in which the boarders live: Rutherford House, Barnicoat House and Fell House, all named after families prominent in the history of the school. Barnicoat House, nestling at the foot of "Flaxmore," one of Nelson's many hills, commands a wonderful view of Tasman Bay. Rutherford House overlooks the main playing field, while Fell House is set among English trees in picturesque surroundings a few hundred yards from the main building. The Scriptorium is the school war memorial—a quiet place well sMKrked with books where boys may go and browse. Tennis courts, fives courts, swimming baths and gymnasium offer facilities for sports other than the major games of cricket and football. As in most New Zealand schools, sport lias always been an important part of the boys' lives. There are on record descriptions of cricket matches played as early as 1562. A tale is told of one player, in the 'seventies, taking seven wickets with seven consecutive balls. (Continued on page 359).

In what was virtually the first inter-provincial Rugby piatch in New Zealand, played in IS7O. between Nelson and Wellington teanir= r 12 of the players were old Xel?onian>. The firet inter-school match was jilaved against Wellington College in 1870. f>ne iuight heve mention two forma of outdoor activities which have become traditional features of Xelson College. One in tramping, the other is its cadet work. In the early days of the school on© hears of a certain headmaetor setting forth on holidays and returning laden with venison. Encouraged, perhaps by his example and by the keenness of later masters, the boys have always taken a delight in tramping. "Tramp-days" early became a feature of college life, and still several times a year, whenever there is a special holiday, boys go off in groups over the " recognised tramping routes. Of course, in order that no foolhardy exploits might be attempted, strict supervision is exercised by the house-masters and the common sense rules of tramping thoroughly instilled. Another institution which has become traditional in the life of the school is the cadet corps, which maintains a high standard of excellence. There is no militaristic purpose in this; the machinery of the cadet system is used both for the teaching of some of the ba6ic principles of ; citizenship and for giving to the senior boys as X.C.O.'s a training in leadership which has been proved to be very valuable in after life. All schools have old boys, of whom they are particularly proud. They justly claim that the ultimate test of a school's worth is the type of men it fiends into the world. Lord Rutherford is Nelson's most famous pupil, but many others have gone from the school to become distinguished figures in the professions they have chosen. Nelson College is more concerned, however, with the rank-and-file, attempting to send into life a body of citizens who have learned something of true citizenship, and who carry with them ideals worthy of a school of great traditions.