PRESBYTERIAN GIRLS’ COLLEGE

Evening Star, Issue 15538, 7 July 1914, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN GIRLS’ COLLEGE

REPORT OF COMMITTEE. At the meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery this morning the Rev. A. Whyte submitted the report of the committee set up in connection with the Presbyterian Girls’ Go.llege, which is to be dedicated in .September. The report is as follows;

-It will be remembered that this committee was set up on October 7 last to consider an offer made by Miss Ross, the principal of Girton College, in this City, and Mrs Xisbet, the head of the boarding establishment of the same college. These ladies offered their services to establish a Presbyterian Girls’ College in Dunedin, the second of its kind in Xew Zealand and the first in tins island. La November the Presbytery unanimously adopted a report of the committee recommending the establishment of a Presbyterian college, which, while giving a higher education within the atmosphere of tho Church, would accommodate girls of other denominations besides tho Presbyterian, allowing them liberty- to attend* their several churches. The committee reported that no more suitable ladies could be found to preside over the college, they believed, than those wife) had offered themselves.

“In December tho committee published a scheme involving the collection of £2.000 ami tho purchase of tho properly of Bishopscourt. In February the convener received leave of absence to raise the money, a hearty verdict having already been received from representative parishes in tho Presbyteries of Ciutha, Matanra, and Southland, In April tho Presbytery authorised the committee, when funds were sufficient, to establish the college under a board of 15 governors. On the same day the Synod of Otago commended the college to all presbyteries and sessions. “Already'the sum of £2,219 has been promised, including over £SOO from the Presbytery of Oamaru and about £9OO from the Presbytery of Southland. About £1,550 may be regarded as in hand. Almost every instalment due has been naid. Money oh debenture has been so freely offered that it seems possible to comprise, even from tho first, all tho liabilities of the college under debentures held parr passu by a number of sympathisers. “The committee, deeming tho--.t?um iu hand sufficient for a. beginning, have proceeded to incorporation. The constitution, dated June 27. has been signed by the following 15 governors:—The Rev. Messrs Balfour, Barton, Cairnev. Gray Dixon, Kilpatrick. Spence. Sutherland. "Whyte, with Messrs G. M. Thomson, M.P., W. S. Fitzgerald. C. R. Richardson, P. ,G. Prydo, W. Downie ihewart, Walter Gmr, and J. B. Waters. Three members of the committee were absent from the district when called upon to sign the constitution. The committee recommend that these three (the Rev. Messrs Aitkcu, Davies, and Kininont) be added to the board. The title of tho board is ‘The Otago Presbyterian Girls’ College Board of Governors, Incorporated.’ “The constitution provides for a college or colleges in Otago. Governors may be appointed at any time by the Presbytery of Dunedin. It is possible for a. committee, sitting with powers at Oamaru or Invercargill, to carry on a college there. In this way the successful finance of one college may contribute to the promotion of another college. Over each college there is to be a principal, having the control of all tho internal arrangements of the college. Tho Moderator of the General Assembly is ex officio a visitor of the college. “The committee have resolved to purchase Bishopscourt. They have directed the architect to use all diligence to have the college ready' for dedication in September. To-day'the committee intend to open tenders for alterations and additions. They have agreed also to a.ccept the offer of the Misses Miller of the goodwill of Braernar House School. They have asked the Misses Miller to act as principals till the end of the year. They have further resolved to offer* the permanent appointment as principal to Miss Francos J. Ross, M.A., and tho office of lady superintendent to Mrs Xisbet, as from January 1, 1915.

“On tho suggestion of the Misses Miller, the committee have decided that this first of the colleges under the board be called ‘Columba Girls’ College.”’

Convener moved that the Presbytery thank the other presbyteries of Otago for their generous help to this Presbytery's scheme; thank the Press of Otago for the earnest advocacy' of tho scheme ; thank the office-bearers oi‘ the congregation of Port Chalmers for their hearty assistance, and the committee of Presbytery for their labors; appoint tho Dev. Messrs Aitkcn, Davies, and Kinmont additional members of the Board of Governors; and commend the college to the favor of the great Head of the Church and to the support of sessions and congregations. The convener added that the report covered all that was necessary, but he wished to point out that the name of the college was decided'on after a full and thorough discussion. Tho Rev. W. Gray Dixon seconded themotion, remarking that they must all feel that Mr Why to was to Ire very heartily congratulated on his scheme having m.ttyget! eo well. Tim committee had been ab!y supported by a number of business -Key, bit the convener had proved himself a business man also. He was full of intellectual and spiritual energy, and the speaker had greatly appreciated his business ability. Mr W. 11. Adams, while admitting that the work of Mr Whyte was beyond all praise, said lie thought it was a pity that the committee had not taken tho Presby--1 tery more into their confidence. He com sidered that a fabulous price hud been ! paid for the good-will of Braemar House. , It seemed to him a, monstrous’■ thing, and he was of opinion that the business men had not gone about the matter in a very businesslike manner. Tho whole of the £2.000 would be swallowed up in initial expenses. There was a great need for this college, but where in the name of common sense was the business principle in paying a fabulous price for a goodwill. They wore, going far too hurriedly into the matter.

Tho motion was carried, and tho Dev. Mr Whyte conveyed , his thanks fo the piesbyterv for the assistance he had received.