JOHN M'GLASHAN COLLEGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 43

JOHN M'GLASHAN COLLEGE

_ There was a large number of representative citizens at the- "opening ceremony of tho John M'Glashan College, which took place on Tuesday morning last. The Rev. Graham H. Balfour (president of the Board of Governors) presided, and was supported by Mr Walter Gow (vicepresident) and Mr C. G. White (secretary). Miss Margaret M'Glashan, ono of the ladies who gave the property to the Presbyterian' Church, sat on the right of the president. Amongst those present were Miss Frances Ross (principal of Columba College), the... Rev. W. Gray-Dixon (Moderator-elect of the General Assembly), Dr Waddell, the Rev. R. Evan Davios, the Rev. A. Whyte, the Rev. A. W. Kinmont, the Rev. John Miller (Moderator), the Rev. John Kilpatrick (clerk of the Dunedin Presbytery), the Rev. A. Don, the Rev. C. A. Gray (of Riverton),. and the Rev. F. J. Tylee (of'Dipton). Tho proceedings opened with prayer by tho Rev. C. A. Gray, Scripture reading by tho Rev. A. W. Kinmont (who chose the* wisdom verses from tho book of Job and the preaching of the Cross passage from' Ist Corinthians, Ist chapter), and then the hymn "0 God of Bethel." The President said that at the opening of tho John M'Glashan College jt was wonder« ful how the way had opened up step by step. The thought of a college such nfl tho ono being opened occurred to a number of people independently. And while thof matter was being considered the unsolicited offer of tho Misses M'Glashan was mad© to the Church of their home for a boys' college. The gift was gratefully accepted. And • they wished to acknowledge their indebtedness to the Misses M'Glashan for their generous gift. He wished also to say that! tho gift was made without conditions, though the desire was expressed that the school should bear the name of their revered father. The board gladly foil in with tin's wish, and at the same time felt how appropriate it was that tho memory of one who had taken such an interest in education in the early days of this provinc* should be perpetuated in that way. The Board of Governors was a strong andi re* presentativo one, and had given earnest attention to the important matters which con» cerne'd the initiation of an enterprise snob I as that was. The chief concern was theobtaining of a principal. After very serious consideration Mr A. G. Butchers, M.A., was appointed, and they were satisfied thai they had got the right man._ They felt that' parents might entrust their boys to the care of Mr and Mrs Butohers with the utmost confidence. With this care and with ideal surroundings for a school, the boys should! have a healthy and happy school life. They stood for tho Christian education of boys. Their schools was not established with a view to foster any narrow sectarian spirit. They would receive pupils of all denominations; and they may attend the. Church of their parents' choice. "V trusted that they would bo able to in some measure at least, tho ideas seo before them. To do that they must have , the support of church members. They were grateful .tfor the sympathy and practical help already' received j but much more s would be needed in the future. In time they would probably have to spend £BOOO or £IO,OOO to meet the requirements of the college. They hoped that friends in the country as well as the town would stand! bv them. It was tho people in the country who would specially benefit by the board* ing establishment. Ho hoped that the boyr would create such a fine spirit that it wouli. be handed down from generation to genera* tion as a great and worthy tradition. They believed the John M'Glashan College would vet be a great school, and that those of the! boys who answered their names when the roll was called would in future be proud that they were present on that historio ocension.

The dedication prayer was offered by the Rev. W. Gray-Dixon. Miss M. M'Glashan then declared thtf college open. ... Mr A. G. Butchers, the principal, said that ho did not propose to. make any remarks as to the occasion, but -would atj once proceed to call tho roll, and content' himself for the present "with expressing the feeling of honour and responsibility with which Mrs Butchers and himself entered upon their duties. Twenty-one b'oys answered "Adsum' a» their names were called. Mr W. L. Craig tendered a. welcome to Mr and Mrs Butchers and the pupils on behalf of the Maori Hill congregation, ana said that the church would make every possible effort to provide for the regular worshipniner at the church of. the boys and the staff of the college. The President read extracts from a copy of the Edinburgh Witness of date October 23, 1847, relating- to the then new colony of Otago, and signed by John M'Glashan, secretary to the association. The proceedings terminated with a verso of the National Anthem and the benediction.