SCHOOL FOR BOYS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 7

SCHOOL FOR BOYS

FOUNDER'S GIFT

MUNIFICENT GESTURE

ESTIMATED VALUE £100,000

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February. 7. ' In order to perpetuate his idea and ideal of a first-class preparatory school for boys in New Zealand, Mr. A. F. B. Broadhurst has handed over to a board of four private trustees the whole of his interests in St. Peter's School. Cambridge. The property consists of 264 acres of land, school buildings, and equipment, and the gift represents more than £100.000. The firsi trustees are Mr. Broadhurst. Mr -T A H Oh phant, solicitor. Auckland; Mr. N. M. P Gibson, headnfester of DiJworth School, . Auckland: and Professor W Riddet. of Massey College, Paimerston North. Under the deed of trust and subject to reasonable conditions, each trustee has the right to, nominate his successor. During his lifetime or till he retires, Mr. Broadhurst will continue to be headmaster. t

'The terms of the trust provide for maintenance of the school as founded and at present carried on by Mr. Broadhurst for the education of boys up to 14 years of age and, in special cases, up to 15 years. Scholars are to obtain a sound intellectual, classical, mathematical, manual, physical, and general education of a junior, nature. Provision is also made for non-sectarian religious instruction for all scholars, subject, however, to special arrangements for religious instructions in accordance with the teaching of the Church of England. Full facilities are and will be granted for scholars of other denominations to attend their respective places of worship. FOUNDER OF SCHOOL. The official opening of the school in February, 1936, by the Minister of Education (the Hon P. Fraser) was regarded as the completion of one of the most ambitious projects ever embarked upon in the Dominion. It also represented the fruits of the enthusiasm of Mr. Broadhurst, who, 14 years ago, while a director of the. Manchester firm of Tootal, Broadhurst, Lee, Limited, began to interest himself in the education of boys. As a result he resigned his directorship and took up teaching. After eight years on the staffs of various English preparatory schools, Mr. Broadhurst determined to found a school of his own. Selecting New Zealand as an ideal place for his scheme, he finally chose the site of Gwynnelands, near Cambridge, as the location for his school. The property was purchased in 1934 and a start was made in 1935 in the construction of the most modern block of educational buildings in the Dominion, surrounded by a wealth of old trees, on an elevated site. The main block 'is arranged in the form of a horseshoe, enclosing a quadrangle, and this group is flanked by a chape) on one side and a gymnasium on the other. Cloisters in the rear of the main building lead to other essential blocks. A handsome cricket pavilion looks across "a natural sports ground of eight acres and a full-size swimming bath, built on the most modern principles, is also provided. In its design, equipment, and curriculum, St. Peter's is regarded as one of the outstanding preparatory schools of the Empir^. For this reason Mr Broadhurst's decision to perpetuate his ideals in the form of a trust is regarded as a munificent gesture to New Zealand education.