GALA DAY IN NELSON.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 97, 21 October 1905, Page 5

GALA DAY IN NELSON.

TRAFALGAR CELEBRATIONS. THE NEW NELSON COLLEGE. LORD PLUNKET LAYS THE FOUN-DATION-STONE. [Br TELWJBAPH-— rEESS ASSOCIATION.) 15 NELSON, This Day. Trafalgar Day was celebrated here today with great enthusiasm. The weather was dull, succeeding heavy rain and storm, and one or two showers fell, but not enough to mar (he proceedings. The Governor arrived by the TutaneKai after a somewhat stormy passage, and was received at tho port bjr the Mayor and Council. Volunteers, citizens, school children, friondly societies, and other bodies had assembled, and' an imposing procession to town was formed. The buildings were decorated with flags, and streamers hung across the streets. The usual local addresses were presented on reaching town, whoro thoro was a great gathering at the Cathedral steps. The chiof function of, the forenoon was the laying of the foundation-stone of the new Nelson College, %to replace the bnilding destroyed by firo on 7th December last — the anniversary of the laying of the foundation-stone in 1859. 'There was a largo and representative gathering, and tho stone was laid with all the proscribed formalities. A silver trowel and a silver-mounted mallet, all locally made of New Zealand products, and engraved with Lord Plunket's coat of arms and crest, were presented to His Excellency by the contractors, Messrs. 'Robertson Bros., Ltd. The new College will cost £25,000, with £900 for levelling a recreation field, subscribed by old boys throughout the Empire. The new building will be an exact replica of the former one, with Tudor facade and pillared colonnade, which was regarded as the most beautiful in thi colony. The design of the new College reproduces the distinctive features of the old one, but with modern equipments and improved appliances added. It is a massive quadrangular struoturo of two stories, tho upper story lor dormitories and residential uses, tho lower for twelve large classrooms, diningroom, Principal's study and reception room, etc. New features are a large handsome assembly hall 70ft x 40ft, on the site of tho old gymnasium at the east of the main structure, and three classrooms attached to the north of this hall. A gymnasium is being erected on tho site of the old vegetable garden. As this is of wood, it is placed apart from the main structure, which is to be of red brick with cement and plaster facings. The central tower will be higher and more imposing than the former one, the height to the parapet being 85ft. After the laying of tho foundationstone' tho Governors of tho College entertained Lord Plunkct and visitors and representative citizens at a luncheon. The afternoon will be devoted to a military review on Trafalgar Park, patriotic addresses, and military sports. The town will be illuminated to-night, and a torchlight procession, fire brigades' demonstration, etc., are to be held.