South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Thursday 28 November 1867, page 4


THE PRINCE ALFRED COLLEGE.

The idea of erecting a College primarily for the purpose of training youths connected with the Wesleyan body was not matured in a day. As early as 1854 when the Rev Mr

Draper held the position of Chairman of the Adelaide District, it was mooted, and a resolution was carried at the District Meeting held in that year that a first-class educational establishment should be formed in each colony. It was not thought probable that any school existing, or likely to exist, in other provisoes would meet the wants of South Australia, and hence it was desirable, without delay, that the benefits of a good sound Wesleyan education should be afforded to the inhabitants of the colony. But the resolution met with the common fate of abstract propositions. Nothing came of it, and for long years the subject remained in abeyance. On the arrival of the Rev. J. Watsford in the colony it was once more revived, and the rev. gentleman urgently commended the necessity of an institution of that nature. For a time his efforts were unsuccessful ; but they produced one good result— they brought the subject prominently before the minds of those who held office in the Churches of that communion, who recognised the importance of the suggestion, and only waited a favourable opportunity for giving it practical effect. On September 18, 1865, a wonderful step in advance was made. On that day a number of ministers and friends met. and without any subscribed funds to go upon resolved to bid for the block situated in Kent Town, facing and having a frontage of about 500 feet to the Park Lands, and containing about 13 acres. It was knocked down to them for £2,750 or over £211 an acre, and soon after it was resolved that a sum of £10,000 should be collected to go towards the accomplishment of tbe project. At the Conference early in 1866 a general opinion favourable to the consummation of the work taken in hand was expressed, but arrangements did not proceed with particular rapidity. The real start was made in July last, when a highly satisfactory meeting in the form of a public breakfast took place in the Pirie-street Lecture Hall, with a view of inaugurating the affair. Many excellent speeches explanatory of the aim and intention of the institution were delivered, and a substantial proof was given that its utility was admitted, for before the close of the proceedings some £'2,750 was actually contributed or promised. Thi3 sum has now reached the figure of £4,000, and by an enterprising and liberal people this is considered quite ample to justify the commencement of operations. The design for the building was furnished by Mr. D. Garlick, Register-chambers, who has, following the Elizabethan style of architecture, succeeded in procuring a neat, regular, and yet imposing edifice. The total length of the building is 256 feet, and the wails are to be of Glen Osmond rubble, with freestone dressings. A basement storey runs along the entire extent, and the main centre front, 62 feet square by 64 feet high to the ridge of the root, presents a bold and handsome appearance. This portion is to be erected first of all, and a contract is already out for the basement storey, comprising a large refectory, kitchens, lavatories, sculleries, ana servants' room3. On the ground floor the principal eutrance opens into a large lobby leading into the vestibule, whence the grand staircase springs. On one side of this are reception, hat, and cloak rooms, and on the other the masters' apartments and the study. At the rear is a capacious schoolroom, 57 feet by 27 feet, and of proportionate height. The first and second floors are divided into class and bed rooms. The wall of this principal front elevation terminates in a terrace with balustrades, and surmounting the ridge of the roof is a flagstaff. On either side of this front are wings 97 feet long by 37 feet wide and 54 feet high. Near each extremity is a tower, which runs up to a height uniform with that of the central elevation. These wings are provided with colonnades, and the apartments in them are to be devoted to classrooms and bedrooms. Along the whole ridge of the roof there is an iron crest. Due provision is made for lighting and ventilation. The total cost of completing the design is estimated at from £26,000 to £30,000. The contract for the main front is expected to be about £7,000. The object of the institution is to impart a good sound education to the sons, not only of members of the Wesleyan denomination, but to all others who may become pupils. It is to be conducted on mnch the same principles as St Peter's College, but is to be recognised at an appendage to the Wesleyan Church. The first tidings of the contemplated visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh to the colony suggested to those having the management of matters the desirability of requesting him to lay the foundation-stone and of allowing the College to be so named, that it should be a lasting memorial of his presence in South Australia. His Excellency, on being communicated with, assented so far as he was able to the pro

posal, and His Royal Highness, on being appealed to, willingly ratified that assent. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, November 5, and the following are the particulars of it. Great care and taste had been lavished in making the decorations worthy of the occasion. Opposite the entrance from Buikroad was a gable of evergreens beautified with flowers, and having at the summit a number of flags and devices. The whole gave admission into a wide avenue formed of pole3 concealed in evergreens with festoons depending between each, and having gay Hag3 floating above them. Approaching the building this avenue was made to deBcribe a complete circle, thus giving a free passage to the carriages all the way round. The Decoration Committee, consisting, we believe, of Mr. D. Garlick and the Revs. Messrs. Flockart and Knight, had discreetly gone in strong for foliage and flowers, and the general effect produced was exceedingly pleasing. The place where the stone was to be laid had been covered in with an awning, and every precaution had been taken to prevent overcrowding, and to have the proceedings conducted in an orderly and decorous manner. Around the stone wa3 a level space of considerable extent, all carpeted and furnished with chairs for the more highly honoured of the guests. On either side of this, north and south, rose platforms arranged with iscending tiers of seats, and capable of furnishing sitting room for 400 i-r 500 visitors each. The whole of the level space was carefully railed in. Over and below the awning floated flag3 of every texture and hue, including a large irray of the 'Welcome' streamers which hare become so familiar to the Adelaide public. A substantial-looking floral crown was suspended over the spot where His Royal Highness was to stand, and huge bouquets of flowm were disposed in different positions near the seat of honour. In full view was a table bearing a well-executed view of the front elevation of the building is it is intended to look when finished, the receptacle for the address to be presented, and the beautiful trowel and level to be used in the work. The address itself was a very elegant Bample of penmanship. It was ornamented with illuminated capitals, and it wa3 hnrdered by a handsomely coloured representation of fern-leaves and flowers. The case provided for its receptiou was of morocco, find bore upon it the words ' Address to His Royal Highness on laying foundation-atone I'rince Alfred College, South Australia.' The trowel, which was a very beautiful specimen of handiwork, was the mauufactureof Mr. J. M. Wendt. It was of gold, and the border round the edge of the blade was composed of delicately-engraved fern leaves, with the Sturt pea at intervals. The base of the j blade was ormmented with the rose, sham- i rock, and thistle springing from the root of ; the handle, which was also ornamented with j Erested work. The inscription it bore-was : ' — 'Presented to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., on his laying the foundation-stone of. I'rince Alfred College, in connection with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, South Australia, November 5, 1SC7.' The level had been elegantly carved out of Huon pine by Mr. B. Hall, of ! Bundle-street, from a design by Mr. Garlick. j The l-eam, about nine inches in length, con- | tained the crest and initials of His Royal | Highness, with the British lion couchant at the ends. Each side of the shaft displayed a cornucopia, a dolphin, and the flag of Edinburgh, with the Union Jack lying across the beam. Two anchors, with cables and tackle, were also carved on the shaft, which was surmounted by the shamrock, rose, and thistle surrounding the Prince's coronet. The plummet was of gold suspended by a silken thread. The design | of the building had a light and elegant appearance, very creditable to the architect. The stone itself was a line block of Maccleslield marble, four feet nine inches in length, two feet in width, and two feet in depth, weighing one and a quarter tons. The front of it was encircled by a carved border four and a half inches wide, and upon the space within the border were inscribed the following words : — 'This stone was laid by II U Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., on the fifth dav of November, MDCCCLXVII.' The entire block was olevated a few inches above its bed, and all tbe necessary tackle for lowering it was in readiness. Standing or sitting near the stone \rere a number of ministers of the Wesleyan Methodist body, including Rev. J. Watsford, Chairman of the District ; and Revs. J. G. Millanl and A. Rigg, of the First Adelaide Circuit. There were ako, besides others, the Rev. 1). J. 1 1. Ibbetsou (Church of England), Rev. C. J. Evan (Congregational), Key. G. Stonehouse (Baptist), Rev. J. Maughnn (Methodist New Connexion), Rev. J. G. Wright (Primitive Methodist), and Rct. J. 0. Woods (Unitarian). The Chief Justice, the Chief Secretary, Treasurer, and Commissioner of Public Works, the Mayor of Adelaide, and a number of members of both Houses, and distinguished colonists likewise occupied prominent positions near the centre of operations. The greater part of the platforms ou either side and a small one in the rear were filled with spectators, and an eager crowd occupied the common ground beyond the railing within the circular euulo3urc in front and along the sides of the avenue and Uuik-road. The total attendance must have numbered several thousands. The Buik-road, at its eutrance, was spanned with a neat triumphal irch, gay with evergreens and flags, having its summit faced with an oval shield, below which, on a coloured ground, were the initials of the Prince. At this spot it had been arranged that the official reception of His Royal Highness by the Mayor and Corporation of Kensington and Norwood should take place. With the view of carrying out this arrangement the Councillors and the Town Clerk (Mr. J. E. Mouldeu) in full official dress were in attendance. Near them were the guard of honour, consisting of the No. 2 (Scotch) Company, under Captain Buik, Mayor of Kensington and Norwood, numbering some 30 men, and the Regimental Band. The ceremony of welcome was wonderfully simplified. Shortly after 2 o'clock His Royal Highness drove up, preceded by an escort, formed of 10 troopers of the Goolwa Cavalry and two of the Rcedbeds Cavalry, under Lieut. -Colonel Higgins and Sergeant-Major Hemingway, ColonelCommandant Biggs, Lieut. -Colonel Mayo, and Surgeon Herbert being in attendance. Without waiting for the words of welcome which the impatient Town Clerk was ready to utter the Prince merely bowed to the civic dignitaries and passed on, arriving at the College grounds a little before a quarter-past 2. On eutering he was accompanied by His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Elliot Yorke, Lieut. Haig, Lord Newry, Mr. Brierly, Hon. Mr. Curzon, Colonel and Mrs, Hamley, Major Lucas, Mr. and Mrs. Souttar, Captain Deering, and others. A hearty cheer having been given, . The Rev. R C. Flockart gave out and the company sung the following verses : — 'From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator's praise arise; Let the Redeemer s natue be sung Through every land by every tongue. Eternal are thy mercies. Lord: Eternal truth attends thy word: Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise and eet no more.' The Rev. J. G. Knight then read the following appropriate selections from the Scriptures, which had been collated for the occasion: — Psalm exxvii. 1 ;? Psalm Ixxii. 1 ; Proverbs, iii. 13 to 17 ; Psalm lxvii. 1 to 3 ; Psalm cxliv. 12 ; Psalm Ixxii. 18 and 19. The Rev. J. G. Millard having offered an appropriate prayer, The Rev. J. Watsford approached His Royal Highness, who stood throughout the entire ceremony, and read the- subjoined address : — 'To His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., &c., Ac. ' May it please your Royal Highness— 'We, the Committee appointed by the Australian Conference of the We»leym Methodist Church to conduct its educational affairs in South Australia, beg leave to present our hearty congratulations to your Koyal Highness on jour safe arrival in Australia. ' Rejoicing as we do with all Her Majesty's subjects on this occasion, we bave embraced the opportunjty of very respectfully inviting your Royal Highness to lay the foundation-stone of a College, where a sound and superior education will be imparted both to the sons of the members of the Wesleyan Church and to all who may desire to avail themselves of its advantages. 'We humbly pray that your fioyal Highness will be pleased :o allow us to name this institution 'Prince Alfred College,' and thus add another to the many lasting memorials of your Royal Hichnesa's visit to this province. ' We respectfully request your Royal HighneaS, in lay ins the foundation-btnne, to accept the trowel which we here present for that purpose. ' Praying that your Royal Highness may receive every blessing of Providence and prace on earth, , and at list obtain a crown of life that fadeth cot ? away. ' We are, your Koyal Highness's moat humble ! servants, ' On behalf of the Committee, ' John Wats*ford. Chairman. ' O. W. Cotton, Hon. Bee. 1 ' Adelaide, Novembers, ISW.' His Royal Highness replied :— ' Gentlemen— 1 have great pleasure in receiving

tour invitation to lay the foundation-stone of this i Allege, which hi* so nnhje on object as a sound , itlucatun as well for ihe Ktnsof the Wesleyao. [Jrmrch as of other denominations. ' 'It gives tne great pleasure to accede to the request you have made that thi» initiation should ' be i tamed after me, and the trowel which you have , so kindly presented to me will ever remind me of ? this most eventful day. . : 'May Alinizhty Ood grant Hia blessing on this institution and the purpose for which it is intended. -'Alfred. 'To the Chairman and Committee of the ; Wesleyan Methodist Church, South Australia.' ; Mr. D. Garlick next exhibited to the Prince the design of the building, which His Royal Highness and His Excellency inspected with interest. He then read the ; following document as a copy of one which had been placed in the receptacle below the ; stone : — ' ThU foundation-f tone of a 'Wesleyan Methodist College, te be called Prince Alfred Collejre. was laid ; by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. K.H., &c, *c, on the 5th day of November, 1S67, being the 30th jear of the reifm of Her Most , Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, SirDominick ' Daly being Governor of the Province, the Rev. John Bedford President of the British Conference, and the Rev. H. H. Gaud President of the Aus- . tralasian Wesleyan Methodist Conference; the Committee for building this Prince Alfred College being the Revs. John Watsford (Chairman of the District of South Australia), Mathew Wilson, J. G. Millard, R. C. Flockart, Thomas Lloyd, Wm. . M. Bennett, Samuel Knight, G. W. Patchell, W. S. Worth. Henry Bath, H. T. Burgess, C. H Gold- ' smith, Alfred Rigg, Jas. Allen, Thos. Edmeades, ; D. S. Wylie. J. S. Greer, and Messrs. Jno. Colton, W. G. Coombs. J. B. Hack, L. Roach, M. Kings- borough, Wm. Rhodes, Thos. Padman, Jas. Scott. Wm. Scott, T. G. Waterhouse. G. W. Cotton, Jas. Robin, John Carr, G. W. Chinner, Theo. Robin, Wm. Longbottom, Henry Thompson, J. M. Shera, T.E. Acraman, R. N. Gault, and F. H. Faulding; Daniel Garlick, Esq., Architect; and Charles Farr, Esq., Builder. ' God save the Queen.' In addition to the above the following i were deposited beneath the stone : — The Register and Advertiser newspapers of the day, the last number of the South Australian Wesleyan Magazine, and the coins of the realm. Mr. T. G. Waterhouse, the Treasurer of the College Building Fund, then presented the trowel to His Royal Highness ; and after it had been used in spreading the mortar, the ? marble block was gradually let down into its ' position, the Prince himself assisting in steadying it during its descent. The mallet : and level, which were presented by Mr. J. C'olton, M.P., and Mr. G. W. Cotton, were then respectively applied, and His Royal Highness completed the operationby repeating , the words ' 1 declare this stone to be well ' and truly laid.' A loud outburst of cheers for the Prince, followed by another round for the Governor. His Excellency expressed the pleasure he felt at the commencement of a work, in which ho had taken a great interest ever since the fact that it was intended to under- , take it, and the benefits it would confer on the Wesleyan Church had been brought before him by Mr. Colton and the Rev. Mr. Watsford. His Royal Highness, with the patriotism and liberality which so distinguished hi3 family, had consented to lay the stone, and he congratulated the Wesleyan body on having seen the accomplishment of what they had desired. The National Anthem having been sung, the Rev. J. Watsford pronounced the benediction. The Rev. R. C. Flockart then mounted the stone, and in a stentorian voice called for three cheers for Her Majesty. This having been heartily responded to he gave the name of ' His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh,' which was received with equally demonstrative expression? of loyalty. 'His Royal Highness and suite then withdrew to their carriages. A few seconds' delay was occasioned by the breaking of one of the buckles of a traces belonging I to the Prince's team. The damage was speedily repaired, and a rapid dispersion of the spectators outside ensued. Those inside, however, entertained themselves by a closer inspection of the trowel and other articles which had been used. The whole ceremony was completed in less than half an hour. Mr. Duryca and other photographers were on the ground to take a view of His Royal Highness while laying the stone.