JOHN M'GLASHAN COLLEGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3398, 30 April 1919, Page 21

JOHN M'GLASHAN COLLEGE

DEDICATION OF BALMACEWEN HOUSE. A NEW DORMITORY. The official opening and dedication of Baimacewen House, the new dormitory building of the John M'Glashan Boys' College, took place on Saturday afternoon. The ceremony drew a large gathering widely representative of the Presbyterian and other churches, of the professions, and of educational and other interests. Both before- and after the formal proceedings the visitors took full advantage of the invitation to make an inspection of the building, and keen admiration and approval of tiw very thorough, up-to-date, and handsome provision made for the boys was expressed on all hands.

The Rev.* Graham H. Balfour, president of the Board, of Governors, pre.-ided over the gathering that assembled outside the main entrance of the building. He opened the proceedings with the recitation of the Scripture sentence, ' Except the Lord build the house, they labour in' vain that build it; except the Lord watch the city, the watchman waketh but in vain,'' and the offering of prayer of 'invocation. The united singing of "0 God of Bethel" was followed by the reading of Psalm xix, 8-14, and Matthew v, 13-16, by the Rev. H. H. Barton.

The President then delivered a short address, stating-that they were met there to acknowledge God's guiding hand in the establishment of the school, and to dedicate to the glory of God and to the advancement of education among boys this fine, new building, to be known as the Bal--macewen House. This marked a great forward step in the history of the college. The building had been planned with the utmost care so as to meet all the requirements of a modern school dormitory. Besides the bedrooms there were common room, preparation room, library, cloak room, music rooms, change room, carpen-. ter's shop, dark room, etc., and very fine bathroom accommodation. It was heated throughout by a hot-water system, and the ventilation had been arranged on the fresh air principle. In addition to that provided for the boys, there was accommodation for the matron and one or two house masters. It had cost between £Booo' and £9OOO. It was the intention of the board to develop the school on the house principle, each house taking 40 boys, or thereabout. By this means the personal touch would be maintained: The present building was already almost full. Altogether, the number attending the school—including boarders and day boys—was 85. The board was now considering the erection of a new building to meet the requirements of next year. This, of course, meant money; and they had to depend upon the friends of the school for donations or loans in order to provide the necessary finance. No funds whatever in the hands of the Synod were available for their purposes. The college was well staffed with able, scholarly, and efficient teachers, and they believed it would continue to grow in favour with the public. They stood for the all-round Christian education of boys. The school Avas not established with a view to foster any narrow, sectarian spirit. Pupils of all denominations were welcomed, and a home under Christian influences was provided for boarders. They believed they were supplying a public need. Of necessity considerable anxiety and sacrifice had been involved in starting an institution such as this. They asked their friends to justify them.

The Rev. W. Gray Dixon (Moderator of the General Assemby) offered up the prayer of dedication. The Maori Hill Band, which was in attendance, under Mr Matheson, led in the singing of the doxology, the Rev. W. Trotter (Moderator of the Dunedin Presbytery) pronounced the benediction, and the singing of the National Anthem brought the programme to a close. The Moderator of the General Assembly 'opened the door with a golden key presented by Messrs Fletcher Bros., the contractors, and thereafter those present inspected the building and took advantage of the invitation of Mr A. G. Butchers, the principal of the college, to enjoy afternoon tea in the science room and new dining room.