ST ANDREW'S COLLEGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12066, 23 July 1917, Page 5

ST ANDREW'S COLLEGE.

APPRECIATION OP RUTHERFORD REQUEST. "T would like to take this, the firstpublic opportunity." said lhe Rev A. T. Thompson at. St Andrew's Church, yoftnrdny morning, "of expressing appreciation of the very great gift given by one of our worthy Presbyterians to the college with which we have been associated. lam sure it is with very great, appreciation and gratitude that we acknowledge this handsome gift, which practically has assured for us the success of tho college. dust bandy a month ago 1 received from the late Mr Duncan Rutherford a sum of X'oO which be sent unasked, gratuitously, io the funds of our college. In thanking him for this spontaneous gift and more for the evidence which it gave ns of his interest in our project. I wont oil to point out to him that we were meeting with a measure of success that was encouraging us to go forward, and incidentally referred to the fact that- we would be faced with an expenditure of at least i'oOOO immediately, but wo wanted to do something worthy of the traditions of our Presbyterian Church, something of which we as Presbvl.onan.s could be proud, and something that would enable us io make a contribution real and worthy to our national life, through the medium of this college. This meant that the plant, bad to be put, down by our good Presbyterian friends who had never failed us in any worthy object. Tho plant down, and tho work well done, we could confidently rest the future; of the institution on tho shoulders of the lads that we "were training in that institution. Without any appeal ho lias given us this sum. Avhich was mentioned. It has given us great encouragement to go forward, nnd indeed wo fee] that the .sign of approval of the Most High is upon this movement. " Friends," Mr Thompson added, "we want all your help and support and whilst wo acknowledge our appreciation of this great gift it, should inspire us to do what we can. As a matter of fact, to place, our college upon a, worthy footing, to enable us to do what we would like to do in the way of hostel and class, rooms, wo would want a sum of at least, £'lo,ooo. I have received another gift from a member of that family, and I hone wo shall be able to perpetuate the name, but there are others who possibly might, like their name perpetuated in connection with this movement.

''However, T just Avished especially to take this the first poblio opportunity of recognising ibis magnificent gift and of expressing our gratitude on account of it."