Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Jubilee History of Nelson: From 1842 to 1892.

Foundation and History of Nelson College

Foundation and History of Nelson College.

We have seen in the first chapter, that out of the price to be paid by the land-selectors for their sections, a special sum was to be devoted by the N.Z. Company to religious and educational page 164purposes. The establishment of a College in Nelson had been specially mentioned in the prospectus of the terms on which the land was offered to the public by the Company. A number of trustees was therefore appointed, to whom were to be entrusted the Nelson Trust Funds for the purposes of education. The first trustee so appointed were David Monro, Samuel Stephens, William Oldfield Cautley, Francis Dillon Bell, Francis Jollie, Alfred Fell, and John Waring Saxton. They were appointed by Act of the Imperial Parliament, and remained in office until 1st January, 1855.

In 1854 the General Assembly passed "The Nelson Trust Funds Act," which provided for the election of trustees to administer the whole of the Trust Funds, education included. The election took place on 1st January, 1855, and the first elected trustees were:—Alfred Fell, David Sclanders, Charles Elliott, David Monro, William Wells, John Danforth Greenwood, and John Wallis Barnicoat.

Owing to the impecunious state into which the New Zealand Company drifted, and their ultimate breakdown owing to the small quantity of land sold, together with the native and other troubles, the liability created by the contract between the Company and the land purchasers remained unpaid for years. In the meantime negotiations were being carried on between the Company and the Home Government, with the ultimate result that the latter took over all the assets and liabilities of the Company.

The first appointed trustees having only the English Government to deal with, immediately appointed as their agent Mr. James Stuart Tytler, one of the earliest Nelson settlers, but who had returned home and was practising as a writer to the 'Signet' in Edinburgh, Mr. Tytler went into the matter with hearty good-will; and chiefly by his efforts, aided however by some friends, especially Mr. H. Seymour and others, who had considerable influence with the Government, the amount due to the Trust Funds, and interest for the time it had remained unpaid, was recovered.

The trustees elected under the Act of 1851, set about its appropriation. By deed, dated 14th November, 1857, they founded and endowed the College with a sum of £20,000, vesting its management in a Visitor, and nine Governors named in the deed. They incurred some odium by naming themselves in the deed, with the addition of some others, as first College Governors. The deed also provided that the first Governors should hold office for four years, by which time it might be expected the institution would be firmly established.

"The Nelson College Act, 1858," incorporated the Governors of the College, and vested the property and management in the Corporation; subject, however, to the terms and conditions of the deed of foundation, which is annexed as a Schedule to the Act.

page break
Boys' College

Boys' College

page 165

In terms of the deed and the Act, the Visitor is his Excellency the Governor for the time being.

The following constituted the first Council of Governors under the above authority:—John Danforth Greenwood, Charles Elliott, David Monro, John Waring Saxton, John Wallis Barnicoat, Charles Bigg Wither, William Wells, Alfred Domett, and Henry Cooper Daniell.

"The Nelson College Trust Act, 1858," transferred certain valuable and extensive lands in the Town of Nelson, at Motueka, Opawa and Massacre Bay, reserved as endowments towards the support of a College, and a Grammar or Grammar Schools in the Province of Nelson; from the first trustees to the trustees created by the deed of November, 1857, and "The Nelson College Act,. 1858 "; and the College property was thus largely increased.

The Deed of Foundation declared the object to be to establish an educational institution, to be called "Nelson College," for the advancement of religion and morality, and the promotion of useful knowledge, by offering to the youth of the province general education of a superior character.

It further provides that "the funds of the institution having arisen from the contributions of persons of different religious persuasions, creed cannot be admitted as a disqualification either as regards teachers or pupils."

The Governors were, by the Act, to be elected periodically, the electoral body being that constituted under the provisions of "The Nelson Trust Funds Act," which included, subject to certain limitations, and with cumulative voting powers, nearly every owner of land, and every occupier of land paying a rent of not less than £15 a year. This provision was repealed by "The Nelson College Amendment Act, 1870," and the power of appointment of Governors has, since the date of that Act, been vested in the Visitor.

The Deed of Foundation also provides that "the course of instruction shall also include the English language and literature, one or more modern languages, geography, mathematics, classics, history, drawing, music, and such other branches of art or science as the Council shall at any time determine." It is also provided that "no pupil shall be admitted under the age of nine years, nor unless he able to read fluently, to write with tolerable accuracy from dictation, and be familiar with the first four rules of arithmetic."

The Governors are also empowered to set apart at least £300 a year out of the annual proceeds of the rust estate, for the foundation of exhibitions or scholarships.

The Council of Governors were also authorised to spend not more than £8000 upon the necessary buildings for the College, out of the funds handed over to them, and to sell certain lands set apart for College purposes, and to purchase a more suitable site.

page 166

In 1856, the College was opened in temporary premises in Manuka-street, but the present beautiful site, containing twelve acres of land, having been purchased, it was decided to erect thereon a suitable building.

The design of Mr. Beatson was approved, and on the 7th December, 1859, the foundation stone was laid by his Excellency Governor Gore Browne. The building, which has received some additions since, has cost, including the land, £13,000.

The first Head-Master was the Rev. J. C. Bagshaw, M.A., and since his retirement the following have been the successive Principals of the College:—Mr. Geo. Heppell, M.A., Mr. R. Broughton, M.A., Mr. J. D. Greenwood, Rev. C. L. Maclean, M.A., Rev. F. C. Simmons, M.A., Rev. J. C. Andrews, M.A., Mr. W. J. Ford, M.A., Mr. J. W. Joynt, M.A.

In 1882, the Governors were empowered, by Act, to expend a portion of their funds in the erection of a College for Girls. Accordingly the site, containing about three acres, was purchased for £1400, and the present commodious building was erected at a cost of over £5000.

The sites of both Colleges are extremely beautiful, and most healthily situated on high ground, overlooking Blind Bay.

The first Lady Principal of the Girls' College was Miss Kate Edger, M.A., who shortly after her marriage to the Rev. W. A. Evans resigned the post, and was succeeded by Miss E. B. Gibson, M.A., late of Canterbury College, who is the present Principal.

The following Nelson College boys and girls have graduated at the New Zealand University:—B.A.: J. P. Barnicoat, Wm. D. Andrews, Ellen Gribben, F. M. Jones, E. P. Bunny, J. Firth, Emma F. Ainsworth, and Jessie Knapp. M.A.: Jas. H. Harkness, G. A. Harkness, T. E. Fleming, A. G. Talbot, F. G. Gibbs, and W. P. Evans. L.L.B.: T. R. Fleming. The following have taken their degrees at English Universities after being grounded at the Nelson College:—A. Atkinson, B.A,. Oxon.; Percy B. Adams, M.A., Cantab.; H. A. Sharp, B.A., Cantab.

Thirteen Senior Scholarships and Seven Junior Scholarships have been won at the New Zealand University, and there are at present in the Nelson Colleges eighteen under graduates of that institution.

The "Endowed Scholarships" were founded respectively by Mr. E. K. Newcome, Major Richmond, Sir E. W. Stafford, G.C.M.G., Mr. Alfred Fell, and Mr. John Tinline; all of whom were amongst the earliest and most respected settlers of Nelson.

The "Governors' Fees Scholarships" are derived from the interest of a fund formed by the abstention of the Governors from putting those fees into their own pockets, which they are by law entitled to.

page break
Girl's College.

Girl's College.

page 167

The following are the Scholarships tenable at the two Colleges:—

Boys' College.
Scholarships. Tenable for Amount per Annum.
Endowed- £ s.
Newcome 3 years 24 0
Richmond 3 years 24 0
Stafford 3 years 20 0
Fell 3 years 16 0
Tinline 3 years 52 12
Foundation-
1st Classical 1 year 20 0
2nd Classical 1 year 10 0
3rd Classical 1 year 5 0
1st Mathematical 1 year 20 0
2nd Mathematical 1 year 10 0
3rd Mathematical 1 year 5 0
Governors' Fees-
1st Modern Languages 1 year 12 12
Chemistry 1 year 12 12
1st English Literature 1 year 12 12
2nd English Literature 1 year 12 12
Education Board-
Nelson Town 2 years 12 12
Nelson Town 2 years 12 12
Nelson Town 2 years 12 12
Nelson Town 2 years 12 12
Nelson Country 2 years 52 12
Nelson Country 2 years 52 12
Nelson Country 2 years 52 12
Nelson Country 2 years 12 12
Nelson Country 2 years 12 12
Nelson Country 2 years 12 12
Nelson Country 2 years 12 12
Marlborough 2 years 52 12
Marlborough 2 years 52 12
Simmons Prize Annual 6 0
Girls' College.
Scholarships. Tenable for Amount per Annum.
£ s.
Tinline 3 years 52 12
Edger-For girls over the age of sixteen 2 years 15 0
Edger-For girls over the age of sixteen 2 years 15 0
Governors' Fees-
For Girls over the age of sixteen 2 years 15 0
For Girls over the age of sixteen 2 years 15 0
Education Board—
Nelson Town 2 years 12 12
Nelson Town 2 years 12 12
Nelson Town 2 years 12 12
Nelson Town 2 years 12 12
Nelson Country 2 years 12 12
Nelson Country 2 years 12 12
Nelson Country 2 years 52 12
Nelson Country 2 years 52 12
School Commissioners 2 years 12 12
School Commissioners 2 years 12 12
School Commissioners 2 years 12 12
School Commissioners 2 years 12 12
School Commissioners 2 years 12 12
School Commissioners 2 years 12 12

There is to be a re-arrangement of the Scholarships, by which a larger proportion of the Foundation and Governors' Fees Scholarships will be allotted to the Girls' College.

At the Boys' College there are a library containing a large number of books, and regularly supplied with periodicals; an extensive cricket and football ground; and a gymnasium, with the usual appliances. There are also a Cadet Corps and a Fire Brigade, and all boys are drilled twice a week.

At the Girls' College there are a library and debating room, two asphalte tennis courts, and other means of exercise and page 168amusement. Attached to the College, is a good studio, well furnished with casts and models.

The present Governors are:—The Hon. J. W. Barnicoat, M.L.C., C. Y. Fell, Alfred Greenfield, Albert Pitt, the Hon. J. C. Richmond, M.L.C., James Sclanders, John Sharp, and the Hon. Joseph Shephard, M.L.C.

The staff of the two Colleges is as follows:—

Boys' College.

Principal: Mr. John W. Joynt, M.A., Trinity College, Dublin: Ex-Scholar, Senior Classic, Double Firstclass-man and Double Gold Medalist at Degree. Second Master: Mr. W. S. Littlejohn, M.A., Aberdeen. Third Master: Mr. F. G. Gibbs, M.A., New Zealand. Fourth Master: Mr. E. F. W. Cooke. Music and Drawing: A Visiting Staff. Drill Instructor: Sergt.-Major Nixon. Science Master: Mr. W. S. Littlejohn, M.A. Resident Masters: The Principal, Mr. Gibbs, and Mr. Cooker. Lady Matron: Miss E. B. Bell.

Girls' College.

Lady Principal: Miss E. B. Gibson, M.A., New Zealand. Assistant Mistresses: Miss E. Gribben, B.A., New Zealand, Miss Watson, and Miss Catley. Science Master: Mr. W. S. Littlejohn, M.A. Music Mistresses: A Visiting Staff (at present of five teachers). Drawing Mistress: Miss Morgan (late of South Kensington School of Art, and Pupil of Ludovici).

Following this description of the efforts made from the beginning to promote education, we may appropriately pass on tonarrate as well as the somewhat meagre facts obtainable will permit, the history of the Churches.