ST. MARGARET'S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14984, 3 June 1914, Page 5

ST. MARGARET'S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION

; STONE. | (PRESS AfISOCtATIOK TELEGRAM.) | DUNEDIN, Juno 2. The foundation stone of the new building of St. Margaret's College waa laid to-day by tho Primo Minister. The building was really begun in March, "and should be completed about 'October. Mr W. S. Fitzgerald (president of the College Council) said that the movement for the foundation of the college originated with tho late Dr. Nisbet (of the First Church), and the Dunedin Presbytery set up a committeOi At first there was some misunderstanding as to tho purposes of the college. The Presbytery deserved the t_u_nks of the public for establishing a first-class hostel, and from his experience as Rector of the training college, and from what he had learned as. Inspector of Schools in visiting teachers, there was an urgent need for such an institution, liut this ono went further. Girls coming for tho first time to the training college and the university were, so far as character went, in a critical position, and the Presbytery, for the sake of character development, had founded St. Margaret's College. Tho Council wero proceeding in faith in the liberality of the people of the Dominion, being convinced that when it was realised that tho college was capable of producing excellent results, tho burden of debt would be gradually relieved. . . .

Tho 6-ction had cost £3000, and the building contract was. for £3200. There had been an unexpected demand for £2000, and tho Council hoped that in the near future they would bo enabled to meet it.

Mr Massey said that Otago had always been in the van in tho encouraging of education, especially of higher education. He mentioned the establishment of lona College in Hawke's Bay, and expressed tho hope that what Hawke's Bay had done, and Otago was doing, would bo copied in other parts of New Zealand. He paid a particular compliment to the Presbyterian Church in Otago for tne establishment of Knox College and St. Margaret's. Tho Rev. A. Cameron stated that it was hoped by and by to provide college tutors as well as quarters. A collection made by the St. Margaret's students realised no less than £123.