New Lincoln College Refectory Opened By Governor-General

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27502, 9 November 1954, Page 16

New Lincoln College Refectory Opened By Governor-General

The Governor-General, LieutenantGeneral Sir Willoughby Norrie, officially opened a fine new refectory at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, yesterday. The new building, with its spacious high windowed dining hall—a modern version of a traditional dining hall—a kitchen full of shining new stainless steel cooking equipment, and staff and sick quarters attached, cost between £85,000 and £90,000 to build. It is the second of four major buildings on the development programme for the college.

At the opening ceremony the Director of the college, Dr. M. M. Burns, recalled that the first had been Hudson Hall, the new dormitory block which had been opened by the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, in April last year. On the same day Mr Holland had also laid the foundation stone for the refectory. “Today. 18 months later—thanks to a fine effort by the contractors, who are some months ahead of schedule—we are assembled ■for the opening of the refectory itself.” said Dr. Burns.

“The history of the college has included many long periods during which times were difficult and money for renovations and additions was not available,” he continued, “but over the last few years the real worth of the work of the college in the community has been appreciated and substantial grants have been made to provide the essential facilities of a residential university institution. “We acknowledge with sincere appreciation the full measure of support which we have had from both the present Government and its predecessor. Certainly there have been exasperating delays and voluminous correspondence, but if look around you you will see clear evidence of progress. ... We still have a long way ter go before we are adequately equipped. First and foremost is a library to match this building and situated about 150 yards east of here, and then a teaching block opposite to and matching Hudson Hall. That is not a dream—it is the next two steps in an accepted programme and we hope that day will not be long delayed when you will be with us again at the opening of our library.”

Another Milestone The chairman of the college board of governors, Mr W. H. Gillespie, M.P., who welcomed Sir Willoughby Norrie and Lady Norrie and the Prochancellor of the University of New Zealand, Mr L. J. Wild, said the opening marked another milestone in the steady progress of a time-honoured institution—the oldest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It represented a further advance in the realisation of building plans which would enable those who worked at the college to give better service to students, who in turn would be better equipped to fill their various jobs. “I think it would be true to say that no other institution in New Zealand has done, dr will do, more for general agriculture in this country than Lincoln,” said Mr Gillespie. “It has

been said that Canterbury is the granary ot, New Zealand. Perhaps it. as been the efforts and work of this college that has brought that about.”

“I think you people have certainly got the art of getting buildings,” said Sir Willoughby Norrie when he rose to speak. But buildings of this sort would pay dividends not only for New Zealand, but for the whole of the British Commonwealth and the world. Lady Norrie and he had formerly farmed at Upton Grove, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, said his Excellency. Only about 10 miles away in Cirencester was the Royal College of Agriculture. “In many ways Lincoln ieminds me of it,” he said. “Each is a foundation college in its own country and the types of farming with which they deal are the same. The whole atmosphere is, therefore, very similar.” Sir Willoughby Norrie conveyed to his listeners the best wishes and greetings of a former Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. In Gloucestershire they lived quite close to Lydney, where Lord and Lady Bledisloe lived. “Lord Bledisloe is 87,” he said. “He still thinks and dreams nothing else but New Zealand. He writes to me ’once every six weeks, and he asked me to pass on to you his best wishes and greetings. “I am not going to try and emulate him by giving you a lecture on farming because you should know your subject more intimately than I do. I might be able to tell you about the breeding of racehorses, but I might fail in giving you the winners,” said Sir Willoughby Norrie amid laughter. Congenial Surroundings Turning to the task of opening the building. Sir Willoughby Norrie said that eating was a vital necessity—“although I know many of us eat far too much”—but it was none the less more pleasant when it was done in congenial surroundings and in congenial company. “This excellent building supplies the first requirement and you, I feel sure, will supply the second. . . . I hope that this refectory will be regarded like the officers’ mess in the Army—‘once a member always a member’—a place where former students can return and have the right to hang up their hats and put their feet under the table at any time. . . .” Mr Brian Cameron, president of the Students’ Association, said students at the college appreciated the improved facilities being made available for them. Their work had improved as a result of the better facilities for study in the new Hudson Hall dormitory block, and they had also been able to live fuller and richer lives.

“This is one of the happy occasions when we have a contract ahead of time,” said Mr J. S. Fletcher, representing the builders of the refectory—the Fletcher Construction Company. He made a small presentation to Sir Willoughby Norrie. • After Sir Willoughby Norrie, Lady Norsie, their son, Mr George Norrie, and their party had been shown over the new building, it was thrown open for inspection by members of the public attending the opening ceremony.