ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18075, 27 April 1922, Page 8

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE.

NEW BLOCK OPENED. THE MEMORY OF SELWYN. "RELIGIOUS LEARNING, INDISSTm'.' Tho official opening of the new block at St. John's College, Tamaki, took place yesterday morning, tho ceremony being performed by the Governor-General, in the presence of about 300 guests. Included in the gathering were visiting members of synod, tho Mayor, .Mr. J. H. Gunson, and Mrs. Gunson, and a number of leading citizens. i

The opening ceremony was followed b; a dedication service, conducted by t'h< Acting-Primate, Bishop Julius, who de livcred the dedicatory address, and Bisho] Averill, Anglican Bishop of Auckland. His Excellency, for whom a guard o honour was provided by the King's Col loge Cadets, under Captain V. Maxwell was welcomed to the college by Bishoj Averill chairman of St. John's Coliegi Trust Board and Board of Governors, ii a brief speech he referred to the circura stances which had rendered necessary tin domoliition of tho old collego buildings upon the site of which the new block stood. The provision of extra accommodation would now permit the work to gr forward in the manner intended by rae founder of the college, Bishop Selwyn, ir honour of whom the new building "would henceforth be known as the Selwyn Block. Lord Jellicoe referred to the old-time associations wihch made St. John's College unique in the Church history of New Zealand. Tho college was founded by Bishop Selwyn in 1844 at Wairaate, in the Bay of Islands, and moved to Tamaki in 1846 The first synod meeting held in New Zealand took place at Waimate in 1845, and tho second at Tamaki in 1847. His Excellency drew attention to the fact that the college had been closed during tho war, the warden and students leaving on active service, and eight of the latter having made the supreme sacrifice for the Empire, Ho concluded with a tribute of high appreciation of the fine record of service attained by those of the clergy who, as padres, served with the troops during the war. The entrance doors to the new block having been opened by His Excellency, those present joined in sinking the hymn, '' Oh God, Our Help in Ages Past," the Rev. W. Chitty presiding at the organ. The building was then dedicated by the Acting-Primate " to the perpetual service of Almighty God for the promotion ol true religion, sound learning, and useful industry," the dedication address hoping followed by prayers, read by Bishop Averill, for present and past tutors and students, for the founder of the college, its departed benefactors and members, and especially those v/ho gave their lives in the great war. Bishop Julius, in his dedicatory address, said that few provinces of the Church had so romantic and interesting history as that of New Zealand, nor was there any in which were enshrined the memories of more godly and noble men than those who had laboured for their Church in the early

days. St. John's College was founded for the education of all races and classes without distinction, in sound, useful, religious learning and industry. It was also founded for the reception of new settlers. and as a refuge for the poor and sick, and in the early davs had nobly fulfilled these obligations. He referred t<? the splendid work done by Bishop Selwyn, his wife, : and little band of followers in the founding of the college, work so hard and tinremitting that verv few would be willing to undertake it in the present dav. "li deeply rejoice in the growth of the col-, lege, he concluded, " and in the fact that the. work so dear to the heart of Bishop I Selwyn mav now so forward strongly. I T hope that from this college men mav go forth not merelv to strengthen the ranks of New Zealand clergv, but to thfi far fit Ids of Melanesia, and Polynesia, and thus brine mmv souls into the knowledge ard love of God." , Upon the conclusion of thu service His Etcellencv and other guests wero shown over th". n»w block by the warden, Canon P. T. Williams.