“OXFORD.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19250, 14 August 1924, Page 8

“OXFORD.”

THE TOWN AND UNIVERSITY. ADDRESS BY MR COLIN GILRAY. A very interesting address on “Oxford," which was given by Mr Colin Gilray in the Coronation Hall, Maori Hill, last night, attracted a large attendance. The lecture was one of a series which is being given under the auspices of the Maori Hill Presbyterian Church, and the use of very fine lantern elides of the beautiful surroundings and architectural gems in tho town and university of Oxford greatly enhanced the vaiue of the address, Mr T. Rosa presided. Mr Gilray first dealt with the early history of Oxford, which, he said, was a town of considerable importance even at the time of the Danish invasion of England, and tho origin of the university was something of a mystery. It had probably sprung from a cathedral school in medieval times in the same way that the famous University of Paris had sprung from the cathedral of Notre Dame. It was probable that tho University of Oxford had sprung from tho priory of St. Frediswydc. Merton College was the first collegiate building erected in connection with the University of Oxford. Cardinal Wolsley founded what was then known as Cardinal’s College, but when he fell into disfavour Henry VIII appropriated the college and the funds which the cardinal had set aside towards its upkeep, but at the .same time, strangely enough, established the Bishopric of Oxford. It was now known as Christ Church. All Souls’ College, continued the speaker, was founded in memory of the soldiers of Henry V, who had fallen in the wars in France. It was now a college of legal research, and there was no undergraduate life in tne ordinary sense of the word. Balliol College was one of the most famous of the Oxford colleges, and it was the second earliest of the collegiate establishments. To secure a Balliol scholarship was the aim of every ambitious buy in the great English public schools. Mr Gilray also dealt with the New, St. John’s, and the University Colleges, and described their origin, mentioning the names of some of England's famous men who had studied there as undergraduates. The slides gave a wonderful idea of the beautiful architecture of various periods of the town and University of Oxford, and the ancient edifices containing much of great traditional and historical interest. At the conclusion of the address Mr J. Beg" moved that Mr Gilray be accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and the motion was carried with very enthusiastic applause.