FOR PRESBYTERIANS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15772, 13 December 1916, Page 12

FOR PRESBYTERIANS.

ST. ANDREWS COLLEGE

ESTABLISHED

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

APPOINTED

On oehalt of the College Committee set up by the Christchurch Presbytery, the Rev. -T. Patcrson reported at yesterday's meeting of the Presbytery the offer macie by the congregation of St. Andr.:iv'y pino- the St. Andrew & manse at-d grounds at the disposal oi tho Presbytery for tho purposes of a Presbyterian Roys' College.

The Rot. A. T. Thompson explainrd the steps taken by the St. Andrnr's congregation Kirk Session, and Deacons' Court-, and 6aid that they desired to make j-neh an offer t<> the Prcsbytcrv as shoukl roako a college possible in the. city, and also to make Each terms as should giro, the easiest posf.ibJe meanv of establishing such a eollcge. (Hear, hear.) Therq would bo no restrictions that "would in. any way endanger the .scheme. Mr Paterson detailed the stop> taken since the decision of tbo congregational mooting. He did not anticipate that tho • initial expenses Tvonild be very groat. The niau.se would provide accommodation for 20 hoarders, and there is plenty of room, in tho schoolroom. It was problematical how many boys theTo would be to begin -with, as most parents bavealready made arrangements for tic 00toing ye£r. He mentioned that there was a splendid opportunity of securing a headmaster in Mr S. It. Dickinson, one of the two men originally engaged as co-principals of Scots 1 College, Wellington. "You cannot serve two masters, oven if yon arc a schoolboy,'' Mr Patcrson added in explaining that, the co-principle idcf.r failed to "ffork satisfactorily. Mr Patcrson moved: "That the Presbytery . gratefully accept tho offer of St. Andrew's congregaticm of the me of their manse and grounds for a Boys' College, aptd express tte deep appreciation of the generosity and loyalty to be shown in it." Ho said that the present idea was that tho Board of Governors should pay a certain rental —about £l- r >o per annum—and the rates. Later, when the property was taken over, the improvements and so forth won Id be capitalised and the rental would vanish. At present they would pay rental in order to assist tho St. Andrew's people in getting a manse.

Mr Brown seconded tho motion. Tn reply to a question, it was stated that the college would bo for the South Island, and that at present two boys from the South Island were attending Scots College, Wellington. Mr Paterson, replying io another question, said ho could givo no idea how many boys would attend when tho college'was opened. The Moderator (Dr. Erwin) said they could havo no idea till the college was started.

lilt! Rev. F.Rule. said that thcro was qui to a large . number of Presbyterian boys in the Boys' High School Hostel. Tho Moderator said that from his knowledge of the past a number of Presbyterian boys nad passed through Christ's College., and thoy had lost them. Mr.Patorson said they would have to face the fact that for the first year thcro would he a (small number of boys..' , Mr Thompson said that he had already got the offer of tho first boarder; also a promise .of £'5 per annum for live years; also a promise of the first day .boy. . Rev. J. Dickson said that they all approved of tho scheme, but ho regretted ' tliat the Presbytery was much in tho dark regarding the financial arrangements. . Mr Thompson said that the Dcacons* Court was at work preparing the-finan-cial proposals. Mr Paterson: I don't think any congregation : could have acted more generousjy than' • St. Andrew's has done. The motion was agreed to. On the 'motion of Mr Paterscm, seconded by Mr Howes, it was agreed— ''That tho Presbytery authorise the institution of a Presbyterian Boys' College, to be called 'St. Andrew's College,' and appoint a board to the same." It - was further decided that the Board of Governors should consist of 15 members, two of whom are to be nominated by the Ashburton' PresbyteryMr Paterson said he had anticipated things by communicating with the clerk of tho Ashburton Presbytery; and that body would nominate its members of the College Board that day. Mr. Paterson . moved — u That the Board of Governors be authorised to raise £5000 for the expenses of building and maintenance in connexion with the college, and that this object be heartily recommended to the liberality of our people." He said that tho sum mentioned ought to cover development and other expenses for the next two years. Mr Brown seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was decided that tho following should comprise the first Board of Governors, and that they should be empowered to appoint three others:—Dr. Erwin, Revs. A. T. Thompson, C. Mur.ray, J. Paterson, and W. H. Howes, Messrs A. Ferguson, Wm. Goss, C. McCrostio, John Deans, and W. McGibbon. It was further decided that the minister of St. Andrew's be appointed chaplain to the College. The first meeting of the Board of Governors was fixed for 2.30 p.m. today. ; The resolution of the Otago Presbytery (already published), congratulating the Christchurcli Presbytery on tho steps taken by it to a Boys' I College and commending the College to j Presbyterians in Otago. Mr S. R. Dickinson was introduced to the Presbytery, and briefly addressed it on the subject of Presbyterian education.