King’s College, Auckland.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VIII, 22 August 1903, Page 531

King’s College, Auckland.

Situated on the high ground of Reinu era, not far from Mount Hobson and the main road, with a splendid outlook over the waters of the Waitemata lies the buildings and grounds of King's College. one of the youngest, but not the least important, of Auckland’s educational institutions. Founded in 189(i by the late Mr Graham Bruce, B.A. (Lon.) the school soon made a name for itself. Air Bruce was a born teacher. leader and organiser, a man who felt he had call to further the interests of • •ducat ion. who saw his opportunity, made the most of it. and has left King’s College as his legacy to the cause of education in New Zealand. Though established but a little over seven years, the school has sent out boys into every department of life. They are to be found all over the colony, and not only so. but even in other lands, and one gave his life for the cause of the Empire. and now sleeps on the veldt. The College has ever set before it the education of" its sons in the widest sense ; not learning only, but manners; not passers of examinations only, but men with noble characters; such does it seek to send forth into the world. Such was 1 he ideal of its founder, and such is the ideal of the motto he chose for his school—“Virtus pollex” (manliness prevails). Character is not a thing that we can give any statistics of; it has to speak for itself. We can but say that is the first aim of the school. Some other statistics, however, we can give. Founded in 1896. the school can now. in 190.3, boast of a thorough and complete syllabus, of an elaborate boarding system second to none in the colony, of a careful and ample provision for physical development, and of a total roll of old and present boys numbering over 400. Let us add to this some sterling educational results. Since 1897 some .33 boys have passed the Junior Civil Service, one boy gaining third place in 1901. Six boys have passed the Senior Civil Service, one gaining second place

in 1900. From the year 189 G until the present time 19 hoys have matriculated. In 1599 one boy secured a credit pass in the Junior Scholarship examination, and secured a scholarship in the following year, when another hoy obtained a credit pass. All these names are carefully inscribed on the “honoris causa’* boards of the school. We come now to a more detailed account of school workings and institu-

tions. The scholastic part of the work is under the charge of Mr Geo. Bigg Wither. B.A. (N.Z.). assisted by a competent stall. As Mr Bruce believed that all true character is founded on religion, worship and Scripture are a feature of the school life. The boys assemble morning and evening for prayers, which are conducted by the chaplain, the Rev. C. Tisdal. M.A.. who also teaches Scripture in the school three periods in

the week, and assembles the boys for Bible class an<i catechising on Sundays. School each day is opened with short Scriptiin* reading and prayer. A special subject in the school cur riculuni is science. The laboratories, erected by Mr Bruce at considerable expense. consist of four rooms, chemical, physical ami optical laboratories, and

r furnace room. They are quite the best at present in Auckland belonging to any secondary school. The work in this department is under the care of Mr 'Arthur Plugge, B.Ss., of Victoria University, England, who is' an ’ enthusiast Iff his subject and abreast of all the

latest and most approved methods in the teaching of science. The laboratories were constructed under his supervision, and are therefore well up-to-date. In this work the boys do all their own experiments, and are trained carefully in making the necessary observations, thus hand and eye and brain are brought into use together and gain an expertness that can never be lost. A careful syllabus of work to be done in the laboratories is laid down. Tire ordinary course extends over a period of three years, and is arranged as follows:— First year, general science; second year, mensuration, hydrostatics, heat and the chemistry of the common non-metals; third year, light, sound, electricity and magnetism, and the chemistry of the metals of the organic compounds used in every-day life. There is also a class for agriculture and agricultural chemistry. These subjects, together with English and mathematics, constitute the science side of the school work. The other sides are the Classical and the Commercial. Under the former head fall English, Latin, Greek, French, German, with Geography, English History and Literature, and Roman History. Under the latter we find English, French, Writing, Mathematics, Book-keeping, and Shorthand, ami it is hoped shortly to add Typewriting. In addition to all the above Drawing, Gymnastics and Military Drill have to be taken by all boys. The gymnastic instruction is in the hands of Professor Carrollo. A number of boys also learn musie, both piano and violin, and Messrs 11. Leslie Hunt, Connell, and 8. Adams visit the school to teach this special provision of a piano and musie room being made. We cannot close our account of the school work better than by quoting the words of Dr. McArthur in his report of the examination for 1898: “I confidently state that the work of King’s College is equal to that of any Secondary School in Australasia, and better than most of them.”

The entire domestic arrangements are in the hands of Mrs Ashton Bruce, a large staff of servants is kept, and everything is done to secure the happiness and comfort of the boys. The dormitories are spacious and well ventilated. Every provision is made for escape in ease of fire. The gymnasium is a fine building, sixty feet by thirty, and the apparatus is of the most complete description. This building is used as a hall fqr school functions, such as concerts and prize-giving. There is also a carpenter's shop, where on two evenings a week the boys have regular instruction in carpentry and joinery. The school has a number of flourishing institutions. Of these the chief is the Cadet Corps. . All boys must join this when they attain the necessary age and height. The corps, since its inception under Mr C. Major, who obtained his majority and D.S.O. in South’ Africa during' the late war, and is now on the staff of Nelson College, has flourished exceedingly. In 1897 teams from the corps were most successful in the military tournament held in the Auckland Domain, and won several events.

In recognition of their splendid work, the corps was presented by Mr Duncan Clerk with a. very handsome silver shield, which is now a conspicuous object in the main school-room. The company still maintains its high efficiency under the captaincy.of Mr F. Stuckey, assisted by Mr F. P. Worley as subaltern. The strength at present is 60. Athletic sports find a congenial home at King’s College. Football, cricket and tennis all are entered into with zest, but football is the game that holds chief sway. , The school is fortunate in now : having the use of several acres of splendid ground close by for football practice. In-1900 th? school team came second in the Secondary .■ Schools*' Championship, playing, hine : matches, of which seven were ‘won and two lost, and scoring 101 points against their opponents’ 13. This year the school has had five fifteens in the field, as was also the ease in 1899. Annual sports are held in the Domain, and have produced some excellent events. There is a School Cup, which is run for every year, and already has seven names engraved on it. The present holder is C. F. Dickeson, of Kaikolie, Bay of islands. Photography is a subject keenly taken up by the lipys, and the school has a. flourishing Camera Club, with its dark room and accessories. Several photo-

graphic competitions have taken place, and last year a very successful exhibition was held.

The youngest, but not the least important, of the school institutions is the magazine, called the “King’s Collegian,” published at the end of each term and edited by the boys. Five numbers have already appeared. In the first number its aims and objects are thus stated: “First, we desire to bind old boys more together, and to keep them in touch with the school, and informed of the doings of their old schoolmates. Secondly, we desire to furnish the parents of the boys and the friends of the college with a general idea of the doings of the college.”

King's College possesses a most loyal lot of old boys. In 1900 an Old Boys’ Association was formed, which now has a large membership, und there is probably in Auckland no more flourishing and enthusiastic Old Boys' Association than that of King's College. No higher praise can be given for the school than this enthusiastic loyalty of its old boys.