THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SITE.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 36, 10 August 1895, Page 2

THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SITE.

Considering the weather, there was a good attendance at the Princess Theatre last night at the pnblio meeting to consider the question of a site in Wellington for University College purposes. The Mayor of Wellington presided, and read a letter from Mr. Hoby, suggesting the sito of the present Terrace Gaol as an alternative reserve, in 05.30 Government did not see its way to grant tho Mount Cook Gaol sito. The Very Rev Dr. Watters moved-.— " That tbis mooting affirms the urgent neressity that exißta for the establishment of a University College in tho City of Wellington for the Middle District of New Zealand in tho interest of all classes of the people, and that whereas the Mount Cook Prison Kescrve, of no immediate nor prospectivo use to the country, and having ooat the country practioally nothing but the prison labour expended upon it, would bo a suitable Bite and endowment for suoh University College, tbis meeting respectfully urges upon the Government the desirability of handing over the Mount Cook building and reserve for University purposes." He advocated a thorough system of education in this city, which could only result from the establishment of a University College. The meeting -was doing the Government a good turn by offering to take off its hands a bnilding for whioh it had difficulty in finding a use. Dr. Chappie, in Beaonding the resolution, said the Mount Cook reserve consisted of 11 acres, at present a wilderness, and whioh must remain so if the building upon it was a gaol. On the establishment of a college npon it, I he reserve would becomo a valnable asset of the oity. In addition to this consideration, the meeting had the beauty of the city to consider. He had the opinion of a oity architect that the gaol building would be easy to convert for University purposes. If not, what was the building to be ? Wellington wonld not suffer the site to be occupied by a gaol or a lunatio asylum. A University was not a olass institution ; it was to the sonß of artisans and tradesmen that a University College was valuable. There was no reason why in Wellington the sons of working men should not have this avenue of education opened to them. It had been said that the Government was not in harmony with this movement. . No Government could afford to treat with contempt the unanimonsly expressed opinion of the people. The Government had shown a certain amount of sympathy with the poople of Wellington ; and if the peoplo were sincere in their efforts to obtain a site 'for the University College he felt Buro that tho Government would listen to them. The Boy. Mr. Crewes proposod an amendment to the effect that the Mount Cook building be used as a lunatic asylum, or that if the site bo granted for an eduoational purpose it should be as a site for a oentral technical school. Ho said tho treatment given to lunatics in tbis colony was a disgrace. Tho money spout in favour of tho few for University education was altogether out of proportion to tho amount spent on technical education for the many. A central technical school was what was wanted in this city and elsewhere. Tho Hon. S. Shrimski seconded the amendment pro formd, but on the question being raised as to whothor he was a ottizen of Wellington, Mrs. Flayer rose and seconded it Sir Robert Stout said no modern scientific man would propose to place a lunatic asylum on 14 acres of land. No philanthropist would over agree to such a course, A University now-a-days was only tho highest technical school. Tho chief function of a University was not to teach Latin or Greek. He referred to the School of Mines in the Otago University and to the success of its students. Throe-tenths of tha students of the New Zealand Universities wero the eons of poor peoplo. Tho question was entirely ono for the masses. The rich men of the country now Bent their sons to Oxford and Cambridge. He hoped that the meeting would show a unanimity that would impress the Government and show that tbe people of Wellington were determined to have their University College The resolution was carried with only one dissentient. Mr. M P. Cameron proposed — " That tho oxistonco of a gaol in the oentre of a populous city is opposed to modern principles of prison, as well as sooial, reform ; and that precedent justifies, and publio morality demands, that whero such exists it should bo removed at aoy cost." The Rev. W. Biumber soconded tho motion. Mr. Thos. Orr having spoken, the motion wus carried. Mr. Allan Ward, President of tho Trades and Labour Council, moved — " That a oommittee, consisting of the Mayor and members signing the requisition, with power to add to their number, bo formed to obtain signatures throughout tho city to a petition to the Minister for Public Works in favour of the objoot of this meeting, and to present such petition together with the resolutions passed." Mr. A. Collins seconded the motion. Mr. J. M. Richardson hoped that no counterdeputations would be got up. The reaolu. tion was then put and carried. A vote of thank? to the Chairman conolnded the business.