Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

King's College

King's College, Boarding and Day School for Boys (“The Tower,” Remuera). Auckland, Visitor: Rev W. Beatty, M.A., Viear of St. Mark's Parish, Remuera. Principal: Mr. Graham Bruce, B.A. (with honours at London University), formerly vice-principal of Wellington College, Salop, England, and later one of the principals of St. John's College, Tamaki. Resident assistant masters: Mr. G. Bigg-Wither, B.A.; Mathematics and Science Master, Mr. Arthur Plugge, B.Sc. of Victoria University, England, formerly Assistant Master at Archbishop's Holgate's School, York; Classics and English, Mr. E. H. Strong, M.A., with honours of the University of New Zealand; Junior Form Masters, Mr. J. Stuckey, B.A., Mr. A. W. Short and Mr. F. Worley. The College was opened on the 12th of February, 1896, by the Rev. W. Beatty, under the most favourable circumstances, there being about seventy names on the roll at that date. This number has steadily increased, and there are now one hundred and twenty, of whom forty are boarders. Owing to the unprecedented success that has already attended the college, it has been decided to provide accommodation for a larger number of pupils, and steps will accordingly be at once taken to make such alterations and improvements as shall be found necessary to avoid having to refuse pupils. The principal, who has had twenty-three years' experience in teaching, was for some years vice-principal of Wellington College (Salop), one of the largest private boarding-schools in England, numbering over one hundred boarders; and was also for five years one of the principals of St. John's College, Auckland. In the system of education adopted at the college, in addition to the preparation of boys in the ordinary school course, what is aimed at is the ineulcation of gentlemanly habits, a manly spirit and a high moral tone. It was with this object in view that the motto “Virtus Pollet” (manliness prevails) was chosen as the motto of the college. The college is entirely unsectarian. All the boarders attend St. Mark's Church. Remuera, on Sundays, with the principal. In the case of boys whose parents object on religious grounds, special arangements are made. A Bible class is held on Sundays, at the college, by the principal, and prayers are read every morning and evening, at which all boys are required to be present. The college is situated on high ground in the healthiest suburb of Auckland, and commands a magnificent view of the harbour. The grounds are twelve acres in extent and are beautifully laid out with spacious lawns for tennis and other games. Ample paddock accommodation is also available for cricket and football. The college buildings, which have for many years been known as “The Tower,” were built by Mr. Jas. MeCosh Clark, and are familiar to many influential gentlemen throughout New Zealand who enjoyed Mr. Clark's hospitality at the time of his mayoralty of Auckland. A large amount of money has been spent in adapting the buildings to their present requirements, and they are now replete with all the conveniences that are essential to a first-class school. There are seven classrooms. These are large, lofty, and well ventilated. The school furniture and appliances are of the most modern character. The desks have been specially manufactured for the college on the dual system. Each boy has a separate desk provided with lock and key. Regular classes are held in gymnastics by Professor Carrollo; the building for this purpose was specially erected by the principal. It is sixty feet in length by thirty in breadth, and is one of the largest in New Zealand. The apparatus is most complete; the windows are cased with
King's College, Remuera.

King's College, Remuera.

page 203 wire frames, and the apparatus is removable, so that in wet weather the room may be used as a play-room. Near the gymnasium are the work-shops for the instruction of boys in carpentry, fitted with a lathe and treadle fret-saw, besides a large assortment of tools for different kinds of work. In order to ensure good results in this department, and to avoid careless use of tools and wood, a small charge is made as a guarantee of interest in the work. Boys wishing to keep their own tools will be provided with lockers for their safe keeping. The cadet corps numbers about sixty members: the corps is drilled twice a week between 12 and 12.45, and is regularly inspected by Colonel Banks. All boys are instructed in military drill, and, when of the necessary age and height, are required to join the cadet corps; exceptions are, however, made in the case of boys physically unfit for the ranks. Too much importance cannot be attached to the good that is to be derived from this department. The cadets are required to wear the uniform of the corps, which is provided at a nominal charge per term. The sanitary arrangements are of the most complete description, the system of drainage being of a very elaborate nature. There are several bathrooms, one of which the day-boys have the use of; hot and cold water baths are available for the boarders, and there are several shower-baths. The water supply is perfect; the well, which is a hundred feet deep, is supplied by a splendid spring, which provides a perpetual flow of the purest water. A gas-engine has recently been connected with the force-pump, and the water is now placed in communication with tanks in every building, so that there is no possibility of any department running short of its supply. The Auckland Board of Education awards three triennial scholarships, each of the value of fifty guineas, on the result of the senior district scholarship examinations. Any boy from this college elected to a district scholarship has the option of declining it, and taking one instead, tenable at King's College. One of the value of thirty guineas is open to boarders under fifteen years and is tenable for one year, and one, value £12, is open to day-boys under fifteen years and is tenable for one year. The successes of the school at the various public examinations, 1896–1900, have been as follows:—Six boys, Senior Civil Service, and one boy passed with distinction, and was second in New Zealand in 1900; twenty-eight boys, Junior Civil Service; matriculation, twelve boys; two boys qualified for Board of Education Senior Scholarships in 1899, obtaining fourth and fifth places, and one boy obtained free education for three years on the same examination; one boy passed “with credit” the University Junior Scholarship examination in 1899.