ultimate result was an Act to Establish a University for the Colony of New Zealand. 6 Initially, Christ’s College was prepared to apply for affiliation on its own account. 7 However, at the next Board Meeting, the Warden and Bursar reported that they had received overtures from Canterbury Museum, 8 proposing a coalition between the two bodies. Representatives of the two groups met at the Superintendent’s office and, after discussion, it was decided that they would apply for affiliation “under some title as to be agreed on as, for example, that of the Canterbury Collegiate Union”. 9 It became increasingly clear when the requirements for affiliation were examined that the decision for coalition was a wise one. The conditions stated that lecture rooms, with suitable apparatus, were required, as well as lectures in at least three of the following branches of education: • Classics • Mathematics and Natural History • Modern Languages other than English • Physical Science • English Language and Literature • General History • Mental and Moral Philosophy 10 The role of Henry John Tancred 11 in this process cannot be underestimated. One of Christ’s College original fellows, he remained a member of the board until 1884. During this time, he was Upper Department Hulsean-Chichele Professor of Modern History, a Governor of the Canterbury Museum, on the Canterbury Provincial Council (1853–1857, 1864–1876), and the first Chancellor of the University of New Zealand. It is his letters, in his latter formal capacity, that are copied into the Board Minutes, seeking information about the conditions that had
been laid down for affiliation, including building size and location, and staffing. 12 After much delay, the inauguration of the Collegiate Union on 23 July 1872 took place in the cold and draughty Big Schoolroom, “somewhat relieved by a number of flags draped around the walls”. Charles Christopher Bowen, President of the Collegiate Union, welcomed “a very fair sprinkling of ladies, a considerable number of our most important settlers, a large number of College boys” and “several masters of outlying schools” and called on Tancred to give the address to about 200 people. It was reported at great length in the Lyttelton Times . Tancred acknowledged the University of New Zealand and its commitment to some funding in return for staffing, appliances, apparatus, lecture rooms, and yearly examinations. He also made comparisons between the stereotypes of the past and the possibilities of the unfettered present in respect to the availability of learning. He also pointed out the importance of the acquisition of “a habit of vigorous, logical and independent thought” and expressed concern about the loss of the “native language” and recommended a scientific investigation to retain everything that still existed. 13 What did the Collegiate Union mean in practical terms? The lectures initially took place at Christ’s College in a lecture room (30 feet by 18 feet), the Somes building (28ft x 20ft), and a small laboratory. Although the first portion of the museum was opened on 1 October 1870 on its present site in Antigua Street (now Rolleston Avenue), it was not until an additional two-storey wing was opened in June 1872 that some lectures could be transferred. 14
6 http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/nzua187033a34v1870n90404.pdf. See also Gardner, WJ, ET Beardsley & T E Carter 1973 A History of the University of Canterbury. Christchurch University of Canterbury pp22–29 7 Christ’s College Board Minutes 30 June 1871 and 11 July 1871 8 The Canterbury Museum was established by The Canterbury Museum and Library Ordinance 1870. http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/ can_ord/cmalo1870371/ 9 Christ’s College Board Minutes 7 August 1871 10 The Press 23 June 1871
11 Bohan, E. 2022 Tancred, Henry John. https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/6t14/tancred-henry-john 12 Christ’s College Board Minutes 4 April 1872 pp615–620, including replies with details pp621–625 13 Lyttelton Times 23 July 1872 14 https://www.canterburymuseum.com/about-us/museum-history
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