PRINCES' COLLEGE

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1937, Page 2

PRINCES' COLLEGE

EXCLUSIVE TRAINING GIVEN. ESTABLISHMENT IN INDIA. Five of the most exclusive schools in the world are located in India. All cater solely for Indian princes, and the viceprincipal of one of them, Rajkumar College, Raipeur, Western Provinces, ar- j rived from Sydney recently by the Mau- j nganui. He is Mr. V. S. Forbes, and he intends to spend four months' holiday in New Zealand. Mr. Forbes, who has been four years at Rajkumar Gollege, said that at present there were 55 sons of the aristocracy of India attending the coilege. As was only to be expected, the roll was not very' large, but despite this _ 15 Indian masters and a principal and viceprincipal were required to administer the needs of the scholars. The reason for this was that the coilege was a seat of learning for pupils from the ages of seven to 21, and thus the various grades had to be maintained. In some cases the classes would consist of only three or- four pupils. Students completed two years of the degree courses at tlie coilege, and if they wished they then pass-, ed on to a university. Mr. Forbes explained that the title of the coilege, Rajkumar, meant "son of the ruler." This particular coilege catered for tlie Eastern States Agency, which I consisted of about 40 States. Many of |the pupils were from the smaller and relatively unimportant States, but they were all sons of Indian aristocrats. The school curi-iculum was similar to that of any English public school except that there was an Indian bias to suit the conditions. Latin, for instance, was a subject that was not essential for the purpose of educating the Indian. The coilege enjoyed ten weeks' vacation in the summer, a month towards the end of the year, and ten days at Christmas. The coilege was founded by the generosity of the Rajah about 40 years ago, and it was very elaborately equipped. The fees were comparatively small as the institution was well endowed. Sport was an Important aspect of the school curriculum. Each morning at 6.30 the boys commenced physical training. Every pupil must learn to ride a home, and for this purpose the coilege, maintained twenty-five horses. Sports in which the pupils participated were polo, boxing, wrestling, athletics, tennis, hockey and football. Hockey was a favourite game, and the boys were remarkably efficient on the field. While in New Zealand Mr. ;Forhes intends to enjoy the winter sports at Mount Cook.