PRESBYTERIAN RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 7 April 1908, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE,

(Per Press Association;)

DUNEDIN, April 6. The foundation stone of the Residential College of the Presbyterian Church was laid by Mrs. John Boss at 'NorthEast valley to-day before a large and representative gathering of spectators. The Rev. A. Don (Moderator of the General Assembly) presided, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. A. Canaeronr the Hon. George Fowlds, and: the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr. J. London). A warm letter of greeting was read from the Baptist Union of New. Zealand, rejoicing at the success of the' enterprise. :■ ''.'-■■ ■

.In.his address the Rev- Cameron said that for six years a committee of the General Assembly had been quietly at work, and at the end- of the year they hoped to see the College ready ior occupation. The cost of the building would be; £18v607. .This would give a£ commod'ation for 30 students iii residence, each having a separate bedroom and a study between two in addition to class rooms for the Theological College, common room* dining-room, and servants' offices. The building would be three storeys, with a five-storied tower. In the future accommodation for 50 students would be provided, with a library, chajpel, and assembly hall. The speaker touched upon the value of the College in training candidates Mr the Ministry in the knowledge of the ways of men. The College was broad based and catholic, and was a Christian College home for students of all classes. Mr. John Ross had been the real founder of the College, by reason of his princely gift of £10,000. Altogether the .donations received, with interest, amounted to £25,760. Prizes to competing architects and preliminary expenses had come to. £565. The result would not only enable them to open the College free of debt, but also to do something in the way of furnishing it. To avoid it becoming merely a class institution they must have endowments, and for this purpose they had set themselves to raise £15,000. Of this sum £1030 had already been promised. The Hon. George Fowlds said he looked forward to the time when other university centres would follow the example of Otago. In this respect it had been said that many ministers had a full knowledge of books> but little of men and life. In this College they would be able to get the latter experience. • •