VICTORIA COLLEGE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1749, 13 September 1905, Page 47

VICTORIA COLLEGE

/ -« * IMPROVING THE SITE. MORE MONEY PROMISED. On- the site of the new Victoria College,- jus; below the building on the city side, tennis grounds are to be formed for the students’ club. A “working bee,” composed of students, professors, and college councillors, met at the site on Saturday afternoon, and began the work of levelling, which has to be carried out to make ground for the four tennis courts required. The Minister of Education, Mr Seddon, gave encouragement to the movement by attending and “turning the first sod.” O'n his arrival he was heartily cheered. After taking off his coat, Mr Seddon shifted a heavy sod, and lifted it, amid applause, into a wheelbarrow. Then addressing the workers and onlookers, he expressed pleasure at being present. The surroundings and the object for which the pleasing duty had been performed were cheering in the extreme. It was only reasonable, as there was some digging to be done, that an old digger should be asked to turn the sod. The- large number of students present were diggers for the day, and reminded him of the young men he met on the diggings forty years ago. „Ho did not think they would strike any gold that day, but they would be richly rewarded by the recreation they 'would obtain. Physical development was a source of mehtai improvement, and the traditions of the race proved that those who had been fond of sport, and had excelled in physical recreation, had been, the foremost men in the country. There would be great strain on the mental faculties of students in the adjoining building, and they would have recreation on the ground they were about to form. Dr C. P. Knight, a member of the College Council, thanked Mr Seddon for being present and performing the duty. It was a pleasure to see him there both as Minister of Education and Minister of Labour. Mr Seddon, replying, said he had heard with very much pleasure that in endeavouring to assist their college the students had raised about £260 among themselves. It show r ed that their heart was in the University. There seemed to be a good spirit among them—the spirit that prompted those who had been to Oxford and Cambridge. Referring to the request recently made by the College Council for a further vote of £6OOO for furnishing and extra expenses in connection with the new building, Mr Seddon said he would let those present into a secret, although by so doing he was to some extent anticipating the Public Works ■(Statement. Parliament would be a sited to provide the extra money asked for. The intimation was greeted with prolonged applause. After shifting a barrow-load cf earth, •Mr Seddon departed. .Another round of cheers was given. The students and their helpers continued to work through the afternoon.