MEMORIAL BLOCK OPENED

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30822, 6 August 1965, Page 1

MEMORIAL BLOCK OPENED

An £lB,OOO agricultural course instruction block, provided by the Burnett Valley Trust in memory of Mr T. D. Burnett, was officially opened at St. Andrew’s College yesterday. In two storeys it contains wordwork and metalwork shops, a wool-classing room, and two classrooms. The college is the chief beneficiary of the trust. Mr K. R. Wallace, representing the college board of governors, said that Mr Burnett addressed the prize-giv-ing ceremony in 1936 about Scottish tradition and ideals

in education and religion. He spoke of “softening tendencies” among youth. Apparently from that time he found the college matched his own aspirations. The trust set up on his. death in 1941 had provided equipment and text-books for the agricultural course, a substantial grant to the mountain lodge, and now this self-con-tained department. It was thrilling to receive such a gift, said the rector (Mr L. T. Galloway): Yet in a school, buildings were not as important as the boys who used them. Mr Burnett’s own thoughts on this were incorporated in the commemorative plaque. Mrs R. St. Barbe Baker, daughter of Mr Burnett, said it was pleasant that the trust

was able to provide a building which would carry on the traditions of both the college and her father, “Even if you do not follow the pursuits of the land, what you learn in this building will always be us- ful,” she said. "It seems fitting that it typifies what my father stood for.” Mr P. B. Foote, a trustee, said that Mr Burnett clearly stated his objectives of encouraging education, thrift, self-reliance, and sound moral principles. The fund was now about £52,000 (subject to some life interests) and provided an annual income of about £2OOO. It was possible this could be doubled. With the other trustees (Mrs Baker, Mr D. M. Burnett and Mr L. W. Stewart) he subscribed to Mr Bur-

nett’s precept (inscribed in another building): “Toil and sweat.” The plaque unveiled by Mrs Baker says the building was presented by the Burnett Valley Trust in memory of Mr Burnett, “who loved the land and by his projects sponsored its pursuits to keep youthful hands and minds busy.” The bronze tablet is surrounded by a framework of rock and stone from Mr Burnett’s Mount Cook station, made by Mr Charles Groves, who built the Cave Church on Mr Burnett’s instructions.