Historical papers found behind old college clock

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 1

Historical papers found behind old college clock

Valuable records of the history of higher education in Canterbury have been discovered by a Papanui postman. The records include the entire accounting system of Canterbury College from 1873 to 1940, copies of college statutes and policy reports, and papers considered by the original board of governors of the college. They were found in the clock tower of the Arts Centre at the junction of Worcester Street and Rolleston Avenue, by Mr H. A. Chant. Canterbury College was established in 1873 to manage the administration of the various facilities of higher education in the area. These included the public library, the museum, the university, Lincoln College, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch Girls’ High School, the technical college, and the Workers’ Educational Association. The records found by Mr Chant account for “every single penny” spent by these institutions In their first 67 years. The documents had been

stored on the shelves behind the clock face in the tower and must have been overlooked when the university moved from the building to its present site at Ham.

“A lot of people knew there were piles of old papers in the clock tower but they were ignored because they were so filthy,” said Mr Chant. The Arts Centre receptionist had told Mr Chant about them and because he was interested in old magazines and records he decided to inspect them. He found the papers covered with dust, insects, mould, and up to Bcm of bird droppings. He spent 170 hours cleaning and sorting them and had them fumigated by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is believed that the documents were put in the clock tower about 1915. They include handwritten reports of board meetings and monthly reports by the heads of each institution. The meetings were held in committee and reports were often altered or rewritten for publication in the press.

Letters from farmers who owned the land now used by Lincoln College describe why their land was suitable for building “the proposed model farm.”

An 1873 list names subscribers to a plan to transform the old literary institute into the present public library. The list includes many prominent names of the time.

An 1876 minute book describes how members of the board decided where the college building (now the Arts Centre) should be built.

It took some time to decide where to send the records because they concern the history of all the institutions managed by the college. The Canterbury University library was decided on because it last had custody of the building and can provide the necessary air-conditioned space to store them.

The documents will be moved. to the university on May 17. Mr Chant estimates that it will take three van-loads to do the job.