ENDOWMENT OF UNIVERSITY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24865, 3 May 1946, Page 6

ENDOWMENT OF UNIVERSITY

EXAMPLE OF FOUNDERS ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN OF COLLEGE COUNCIL ' The view that the most liberal endowment the founders had given Canterbury University College was their example was expressed by the chairman of the college council (Mr J. H. E. Schroder), when he spoke at the Commemoration Day ceremony last evening. He referred to a bequest made by a young man who had died in the war as4an example of the acknowledgement of a graduate’s obligation to the college. Mr Schroder said it was the purpose of the ceremony to commemorate thankfully the founders and benefactors who had endowed the college. The founders had liberally endowed the college, but this had had one disturbing result: the college was stiff regarded as a wealthy institution. On the contrary, the college was pow a poor institution, because of the decline in its revenue and the increased demands made ori it. The college had been most liberally endowed in the example of the generosity and foresight of its founders. Had not the province, the city, and the college to sdfce extent failed through congratulating themselves on the wisdom of the founders and neglecting -to improve and enlarge the foundation with the same wisdom and vision? Mr Schroder asked. But he believed there were dear signs of awakening, and in the university not the least clear signs, which he hoped would win the response of the State and the community. He quoted the establishment of the electronics and industrial chemistry sub-branches, and the expansion of the music department as instances where this had been obtained. He mentioned that the latest gift recorded was £.lOOO from Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd., as a memorial to Mr G. H. Whitcombe, founder of the firm, and said a concert grand piano would be bought for the department of music. Mr Schroder said they rightly honoured the, war service of members of the collet in the battle against the threat of political and economic enslavement, and more than that a battle for those standards of intellectual integrity, spiritual freedom, and human dignity which the university guarded. The battle was won in part by the service of men and women who had learned to respect the idea and ideal of the university.

He thought at that moment of one name in the list of benefactors. Nevile Barker, who had the qualities to go far but died in the war. He left £lOO to the library of the college. That was an example to be reflected upon. Most graduates were able to draw from a long life the full proof of their obligation to the university. More of them might do something or in gift to acknowledge and requite it. Mr Schroder mentioned other benefactions the college had received, and especially the notable generosity of Mr and Mrs Arthur Sims. He reviewed the college’s present accommodation problem.