&.—5.

116

B. P. HADFIELD

about 'the public demanding an explanation from the trustees of their future intentions.' The public have no more right to interfere than they have with the Wesleyan and Roman trust given at the same time, and for the same reason, a grateful acknowledgment by the Crown—not by Parliament, which did not then exist in New Zealand—of the services of "their religious bodies t> the Crown in the matter of education. General Synod is the only legal body the trustees have to report to, though as a matter of courtesy an annual report is sent by the trustees to the Diocesan Synod. The reporters of the various Wellington papers are present, and can publish verbatim, if they like, the report of any trust that is laid upon the table of the Synod. They do not do so, and, therefore, I suppose, they do not think the public want it. In conclusion, I ma)- observe that at one time Sir William Fox, Sir Julius VogeL and Mr. Ballance combined in Parliament to upset the grant. Mr. Ballance afterwards repented, and supported the school vigorously. But whether the grant were upset or not, it was admitted on. all hands that several provisions of the trust could not be carried out, and there was no suggestion whatever of turning the institution into a charity school. Sir George Grey supported the school on the grounds of justice.—l am, &c, Arthur Towgood." On the 26th June, 1895, my late father wrote to me as follows: " The alleged departure from the terms of the trust is one of degree only. It is not alleged that the funds derived from the property are devoted to any other purpose than the education of youth, but only that the class apparently contemplated in the deed is now practically debarred from any benefit from it. Assuming this to be in some degree the case, the obvious explanation is that the funds at the disposal of the trustees would not enable them at the present time to carry on the school on any other system. Money has been borrowed to enable buildings to be erected, which must be repaid before an indigent class, whether English or Native, can be received into the school." In forwarding me Archdeacon Towgood's letter, my father wrote as follows: "On another occasion a Committee of the House of Representatives, of whicii the late Mr. Ballance was Chairman, investigated the state of the trust. All that was recommended was that tnore should be done to carry out the object of the trust. It was in consequence of this that the trustees after much difficulty (as trustees cannot mortgage) made an arrangement with Mr. Harvey, by means of which they were able to borrow money wherewith to erect the present buildings." George Edwin Anson examined. 126. The Chairman.] You are a medicai practitioner, residing in Wellington? —Yes. 127. You are also one of the trustees of the Wanganui Collegiate School Endowment trust? —Yes. 128. When were you appointed?—ln 1903. 129. Prior to that had you anything to do with the school? —In the old days I was second master there for five years. The period ranged from 1876 to 1884, although during part of that time I was at Home. 130. Who was the headmaster? —Mr. Saunders. I was also under Mr. Harvey for a year. 131. During the time you were teaching at the school, what was the general system of educa-tion?-—At that time it was an ordinary classical, mathematical, and English education. 132. Was any attention given to the industrial side of the trust?— Not at that time. 133. When did the question of industrial training first come up?—l cannot tell you. It was during Mr. Empson's time. 134. What is the nature of the industrial training in vogue at the school 2—There is a carpenter's shop and a chemistry laboratory. 135. Any drawing?— Only geometrical drawing; no mechanical drawing. 136. I suppose since you have been a trustee you have taken an interest in the school? —As much interest as I possibly could. 137. Have you paid attention to the question of the general health of the students?— Yes; I have watched it very carefully 138. I would like to have your opinion on the sanitary condition of the school?—ln my opinion it is very good indeed. Of course, there have been all sorts of rumours to the contrary ; but the more rumours the more carefully I have attended to the matter. I cannot say the school is an unhealthy school. When I was at Wanganui the other day I went to Dr. Christie, who has been regularly attending the school, and he considers it one of the most healthy schools he has ever known. 139. Dr. Christie can give us information on this point?— Yes. There is no doubt about it, but at one time our dormitory space was not sufficient, and our windows were too small. That was reported upon, and we have done our very best to alter it. We put the work in hand during the last holidays, and I believe our new alterations have put that all right. 140. In the event of an epidemic breaking out or of sickness, is any report made to the trustees? —I do not think any official report is made. That is left entirely to the headmaster and the medical attendant, If there was anything serious we should hear of it. We have just these holidays put up a sick room with five beds, a detention room for doubtful cases, and a nurse's room. 141. Have the trustees ever received any complaints from anybody in regard to the conduct of the school ?—I do not think so. We have heard rumours. We have had no official representations. 142. There have been no official representations to the trustees in regard to the way in which the trust has been managed or performed?— No. 143. Do you think it would be desirable, if it could be done, to erect entirely new buildings on a different part of the estate? —Personally, I think it is not at all necessary now. I think it may be in ten years' time. I do not think a wooden building that is only from twenty-five to thirty years old ought to be thrown away at present. We have been keeping it as much up to date as our funds would permit.