WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 2

WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

THE PROPOSED REORGANISATION. '

A deputation, constating of Messrs S. Brown, R. Gardner, J. E. Evans, E. W. Morrab, W. N. Blair, R. Hannah, J. G. W. Aiiken, A. Macdougal), F. Stevens, D. M. Luckie, and 0. A. Hickson, waited upon the Board of Governors of the Wellington College and the Girls’ High School for the purpose of presenting a memorial which had been got up in consequence of Dr Newman’s proposal to reorganise the College. The memorial was as follows :

“Gentlemen, —We, the undersigned, parents of children attending the Wellington College, and others interested in the welfare of the institution, observe with regret that a proposal is to be submitted at next meeting of the Board, having for its object the re-organisation of the College staff, the cause assigned therefor being the financial difficulties into which the Board has drifted. We are perfectly satisfied with the education afforded and discipline observed at the Wellington College, and have every confidence in the administration. We, therefore, view with uneasiness any proposal to make radical changes in the management of the school, or constitution of the staff. It is well known that frequent changes of this kind have had a most injurious effect on the secondary schools of the Colony. We are aware that there has been a considerable falling off in the attendance of pupils at the Wellington College for several years past, but we believe this is not due to defects in the school curriculum or discipline, or to mismanagement of any kind. In our opinion the diminished attendance is the result of causes over which the staff has no control. One of these is the high standard of education available gratis at the State schools, which induces parents to rely entirely on these schools for the education of their children. There is also growing up among a large section of the community a strong feeling in favour of religious instruction in schools which results in the active encouragement of denominational cchools, and as no special effort is made to promote the interests of public institutions like the Wellington College, these institutions necessarily suffer. We further venture to suggest that yet another reason for the falling off in the attendance is the desponding tone of the discussions at meet ings of the Board regarding the financial and other difficulties of the College. We believe that this has a very damaging effect on the reputation and usefulness of the institution. The Wellington College has done and is doing good. work. Its record is excellent throughout, so also is the record of the Principal, both in Nelson and Wellington, and many of our leading men have received their education at his hands. While admitting that, as in most institutions of the kind, there may be room for improvement in minor details, we should view with great regret any proposal that involves a change in the general administration of the school. We therefore respectfully submit, that any proposal for re-organising the staff should be treated with extreme caution by the Governors.”

Mr Brown explained that the memorial contained the signatures of over 100 parents of pupils at the College. There wore, he believed, a great many persons who had an entirely erroneous opinion of the College, and he might say that as mayor of the city he had been brought in close contact with the institution, and he had been very much surprised at the great pains and the amount of care that were taken to give the pupils a proper training. He had sent his boys there, and he was quite satisfied with the training they had received. He went on to state that what they suffered from in Wellington was a want of appreciation - of their local institutions, and this certainly applied to the College. Mr Evans thought that if proper inquiry was made they might find ar opening for some alterations at the College. His own opinion was that there was more attention given to the training of lawyers at the College than any other work, and he thought that more time should be given to training for commercial occup »- tions. Mr W. N. Blair stated that, as one of those who was instrumental in bringing the memorial forward, he tad been very much gratified at the cordial support they had received. They did not wish to make it a big public matter, for an institution of this kind was like a delicate piece of machinery, and they must be careful how they interfered with it. No doubt it wanted oiling and repairing occasionally, but they must strongly depieeate the smashing-up policy. As a parent of three children who had attended the College, he must say that he was perfectly satisfied with what went on at the institution. The College had certainly not received that loyal support which it ought to have done, for situated as it was in the capital of the Colony, he thought that it ought to be the first educational institution of its kind in New Zealand ; and if all who had any interest in it would only put their shoulder to the wheel it would be ao. Mr Luckie said that he had had four sons under the tuition of the Principal of the Coilege, and he was perfectly satisfied with the progress they had made. He regretted that more support was not given to such an admirable insUtqtion,

The Chairman of the Board (Mr J. R. Blair) said there was a very great misconception in the community aB to what the College was really doing, from a modern point of view. The College was not a classical school; it was essentially a modern school, ’

After somo further discussion, Mr Brown thanked the members of the Board for their attention, and the deputation withdrew.

Subsequently some discussion took place as to whether Dr Newman’s motion should be discussed in committee, the Rev J. Paterson expressing the opinion that much harm was caused by these secret deliberations. Eventually it was agreed that the Board should not go into committee.

Dr Newman then moved his motion, “ That on account of the financial position, it is at once necessary to reorganise the Wellington College.” He pointed out that the College was in vsrv serious financial difficulties. Already they had had to apply to the Government for LIOOO, and it seemed from the accounts which had been laid before them that rooming that they were still going to the bad, and in the face of this the Governors must face the position and see what could be done. The real reason of the trouble was that the College was not attractive enough. The fist of boarders and scholars was really startling. Six years ago they had 60 boarders, next year the number decreased to 42, the next to 29, and then 20, and now it was only 10. The number of scholars on the roll six years ago was 180, now it was only 95. There had been a steady decrease in the number every year, and if they allowed this to go on they would have to close the institution for want of funds. He did not think the College wa3 modern enough,and he agreed with Mr Evans that they should pay more attention to j the modern side. H e felt certain that iE this was done there would be a greater number ot pupils at the College to-day. He then formally moved his motion.

Sir James Hector seconded the motion, explaining that he did so because the matter, as put by the mover, showed plainly that they mus< do something to remedy the present state of things. Sir James expressed the opinion that sooner or later the whole question of secondary education would have to be considered as a matter of necessity. Ho also thought that they should keep separate accounts for each institution.

Rev J. Paterson said he could not support a motion of such a radical nature. Amotion of this kind was injurious to the College, and it would tend to lower its reputation instead of improving it. There was not a larger decrease in the number of pupils than at other similar institutions! They had a very excellent staff, and they should have confidence in them. He suggested that the matter should be postponed, and that they should invite Mr Mackay to confer with them with a view of seeing whether they could not make the institution more attractive. After some further discussion the motion was put and carried, the Rev J. Paterson being the only dissentient. It was then decided, on the motion of Dr Newman, that the Board should resolve itself into a committee of the whole for the purpose of carrying out the resolution, and that a report should be presented at next meeting. It, having been decided that the committee should meet on the next Thursday, the Board adjourned.