Re College of S. Columba.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 November 1910, Page 7

Re College of S. Columba.

To the Editor, Waiaptt Church Gazette. Sib,— For the benefit of. the Rev. C. W. Robinson, and possibly others, I beg to furnish, the following 1 information taken from Truth. Cautionary List for 1910 :— "College of S. Columba, 48 Old Elect, " Durham. — A joint stock enterprise formed " under the name of S. Columba's College " and Universities' Publication Society, Ltd., "m March, 1909. The leading spirit is a " Rev. John Highwood, of The Laurels, " Staplehurst, Kent, with whom are associated a number of other clerics, amongst "them the Rev. Jamea Sowter,. the Secretary "of the Company. It commenced operations, "by offering the titles of A.Ph., or F.Ph., " on a payment of 635, with the privilege of " sporting a hood of scarlet cloth, lined with " green cloth, to the graduate!^" Here is oneof the touting circulars issued on behalf of S. Columba's College :—" Holme " Vicarage, Peterborough, January 11, 1910. " — Dear sir — Dr. Highwood wrote you some "time ago re Foundation Fellowship m " Philosophy, England. The school has now " been instituted m London, and the privi- " lege of the above Fellowship. is open, to you "for a limited period as follows:— (1) By " writing the current essay from a 3/6 text " book which we supply. (2) By paying the "£4 4s fee. (3) By promising to read the "annual book on philosophy-^-the current " book is 4/4 post free. Your early answer "will oblige yours faithfully, J. Sowter, "p.p. E.R. , Secretary, etc." From the printed heading of this document it seems that Mr Sowter has himself gained, the " coveted mark of distinction," " F.Ph." This may show that he himself values the decoration which he is retailing for general consumption — always supposing that he paid the full fees himself and bought the necessary 3/6 volumes ; — but his method of advertising the qualifications and terms is not exactly calculated to add lustre to so "coveted a mark of distinction." I may say that the details of the College of S, Columba are culled from a list of people m England who are showing special activity on the part of concerns which make it their business to supply bogus honours and distinctions. Further comment is needless ! I am, etc., F. E. Teliing Simcox. Porangahau, H. 8., October 18th, 1910. ;