STUDENTS OF SELWYN

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28180, 19 January 1957, Page 3

STUDENTS OF SELWYN

DUNEDIN COLLEGE’S REGISTER , [Reviewed by L.G.W.I The Selwyn College List: the Reof Students of Selwyn College, Dunedin, New Zealand; from 1892 to 1956. The Selwyn College Association. 144 pp.

The foundation stone of Selwyn College was laid by Bishop Julius of Christchurch in 1891. The dedication of the building took place on January 25. 1893. It consisted of 16 rooms and a lecture hall, now incorporated in the Castle street block. A semi-detached house inside the grounds was the Warden’s Lodge. The Wardens of the College are as follows: The Rev. J. p. Fallowes, 1893-4; the Rev. Canon (afterwards Bishop) Richards, 1895 - 1900; Canon Alfred Neild, 1900-1905; Archdeacon R. A. Woodthorpe 1905-1917; Archdeacon L. G. Whitehead, 1919-1950; the Rev. F. W. B. Perkins. 1950-1955; the Rev. D. S. Millar, 1955.

A Collegiate School for boys was built in the grounds in 1905 and continued in existence till 1911, when it became part of the college. In 1908. a dining-hall was built adjoining the Lodge. Owing to the absence of students during the First World War, the college was closed in 1918 and when it re-opened in 1919, had only 16 students. On his return to New Zealand, Sir James Allen raised funds to enlarge the college and in 1930 a new wing was opened in Castle street. When Archdeacon Newcombe, as sub-: warden, bought the houses and land south of the college the College Board acquired this property from him and was able to build Sargood Hall at right angles to the former building and there were then 72 resident students. Since then, further rooms and a common-room have been added and the present roll is 81. This achievement had its origin in the mind of Bishop Nevill who, about 1890, declared his hope that the diocese would establish ‘‘a hostel for the general reception of the students of the University belonging to our Communion, among whom our Divinity students may be lodged, and thus secure some, at least, of the advantages of the English University System.” In 1939, S. Morris N. Watt obtained from the College of Arms a patent giving Selwyn College the right to bear arms—“ Per Bend Or and Murray a Torch inflamed proper, and for the Crest, on a wreath of the Colours,’ a Torch erect inflamed grasped by a dexter and a sinister hand each couped at the wrist all proper.” From 1908 to 1920 Selwyn was granted the status of a college associated in Durham University. Students could keep terms in Selwyn for the Durham L.Th. and B.D. and a number of ordinands took the former degree. The college has a remarkable library the major part of which consists of books given to the college by Mrs Arderne Shoults from her husband’s collection, especially valuable for their historical interest, 22 of them having been printed before 1500. This account is taken from the book under review which contains in addition a record of the institutions connected with the college: its governing body; the students’ association; the association of former members; and the college sporting societies. A considerable part of the book is taken up with a list of the former and present members. Some account is given of the distinguished men who have assisted the growth of the college. This book will be of interest to all who have belonged to Selwyn College and also to those who are concerned with history of education in this country.

S. W. R. Morris is to be congratulated on the issue of a work which owes more to him than to anyone else.