WESLEY COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19649, 30 May 1927, Page 11

WESLEY COLLEGE.

A MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

THE LATE MR. W. H. CAUGHEY.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOOL.

The new hospital block at WesleyCollege, Paerata, built and equipped by Mrs. W. H. Smith in memory of her nephew, William Henry Caughey, was officially opened by the donor an Saturday afternoon. There was an attendance of about 'SOO people. In welcoming Mrs. Smith, Mr. H. P. Caughey, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said there were 112 pupils in residence at the college besides, a large teaching, farm and domestic staff. For a long time there had' been urgent need of a well-equipped hospital building. When informed of the difficulty in isolating infectious sickness, Mrs. Smith had written to the board offering to erect and equip the building, which had accommodation for 16 patients and contained an isolation ward, sun verandah, dispensary, nurses' quarters and kitchen. Mr. Caughey then paid a tribute to his brother, who, at the age of 29, had died while on active service in Cologne. "This is the second important function we have had at the college within a year," said Mr. R. C. Clark, the headmaster, in welcoming the visitors. "Only those who have to deal with the sickness of large numbers of boys know the need of such a hospital as'this. We are in many ways an., old college—the foundation stone vfas laid 80 years ago. With such a staff as we have at present, and with public interest such as is shown by to-day's attendance, we can predict a great future for the college and for the young people of the Dominion." A Memorial Tablet. After the Rev. E. Drake, chairman of the college committee, had offered a prayer of dedication, Mr., "Caughey handed Mrs. Smith a gold key, with which she opened the door of the hospital. On entering the building the Rev. Dr. H. Ranston, president of the Methodist Conference, unveiled a memorial tablet to the late, Mr. Caughey erected inside the main ward.

In speaking of the late Mr. Caughey Dr. Ranston said he had been a great lover of Home and" parents; gracious in spirit; loyal in promises; and ever thoughtful of the needs of others.

"Wo are planting another milestone in the highway of Wesley College," said the Hon. George Fowlds, president of the council oi the Auckland University College. "It is a beautiful thing that Mrs. Smith has done. This hospital is a memorial "worthy of Mrs. Smith, and William Caughey was worthy of the memorials"

Mr, Fowlds said that,had it not been for the wisdom and foeesight of the Rev. J. H. Simmonds, an ex-headmaster, the college would not have been removed from Three Kings to the present magnificent site. Mr. Clark, the present principal, had the right ideals of education, and the institution was destined to become one of the greatest boys' colleges in the Dominion. (Applause.) The Spirit of Sacrifice.

The next speaker was the Hon. L. M. Isifct, M.L.C., who stated he had come from Christchurch especially • for the occasion. "I am here because I know and loved William Caughey since a boy," said Mr. Isitt. "There are some good but mistaken people who Jiave done the greatest wrong to the men who gave their lives for their country. They have spoken of such men as being actuated by the lure of glory and the instinct for fighting. There were men who went to the war led by these motives, but the majority were moved by a nobler spirit and a nobler purpose. " These men hated war with all its lunacy. They loathed its violence and hideous destruction of hfe, resulting in anguish of body and mind. Yet in safeguarding the nation they resolutely faced the very things they shrank from and turned their backs on home and love. These men who stood oil the, threshold of life, many dreaming of a wifd, a home and children, and looking forward to years of honourable service and citizenship were not led bv the spirit of adventure,, but by the spirit of sacrifice. William Caughey was in this section, and there were few more devoted and noble spirits,' concluded Mr. Isitt. . ■ , The ceremony terminated with the singing of the Doxology and the National Anthem. The benediction was pronounced by Dr. Ranston. _ During the afternoon the visitors inspected the grounds and buildings and were entertained at tea by the boys in the college dining hall. _ The hospital was designed by Mr. .A. Pearce and built by Mr. A. Or. Grinter.