College Opened At Ilam

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 12

College Opened At Ilam

The striking new buildings of Christchurch College at Ham were dedicated bv the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt Rev. W. A. Pyatt) and officially opened by the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake) on Saturday.

Held in the quadrangle of the £265,000 Anglican hall of residence for men, the ceremony was attended by about 500 guests.

“The past can lay a dead hand on us, but it can also inspire us for the future,” said Bishop Pyatt in his address of benediction, for which he chose a text from the Book of Joshua: “Be strong and of good courage.”

The establishment of the new college buildings proclaimed a trust in the future, and an acceptance of its challenge, he said. “Already the great scientific and technological revolutions of one lifetime have

caused us to look at the universe in new ways.” Strange, even uncanny prospects should not cause either Church or University to lapse into mere obscurantism.

“Rather, we should reach forward eagerly and grasp the opportunities which God is showing us.” Trust in the future did not mean a blind stepping into the unknown, Bishop Pyatt said. “The God of Israel is still with us. We must rethink our thoughts of him, in relation to our new knowledge of the universe.” After concluding the dedication service, Bishop Pyatt, as warden of Christchurch College, thanked all those who had assisted the building project. “It has been very much of a co-operative effort,” he said. The Government contribution towards the cost of the buildings was £173,000, and £30,000 had been received from funds raised through the combined church halls of residence appeal. He also paid tribute to the architects and contractors. “This is something very excit-

Ing which has been put up here,” Bishop Pyatt said. “This is a very proud moment for the university,” said the Chancellor of the University of Canterbury (the Kt. Rev. A. K. Warren). Associating with those involved in other disciplines was one of the many benefits from living in halls of residence, said Bishop Warren, who was the first warden when the college became autonomous in 1957. The principal of Christ-j church College (Canon J O. Rymer) said the college had been given the tools to make a worthy contribution to the life of the university. The university, too, could take advantage of the opportunities for study which the institution offered. The hall accommodates 120 students, and additions for a further 80 are planned. Students in undergraduate gowns attended the opening ceremony, and afterwards showed many of the guests through the buildings. The Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev, W. A. Pyatt) is shown speaking during the ceremony.