Meanwhile, Walter Kennaway, in a motion to the Provincial Council on 10 December 1872, articulated the growing awareness in Canterbury that there was a desire for “superior education” and that land should be set aside for it. William Rolleston, as Superintendent, in his opening speech to the Council on 2 May 1873, indicated: “An Ordinance will be submitted to you providing for the establishment of a College, and for bringing under one body the administration of the trusts and the management of several departments of Superior Education, for which you have made provision. You will be asked to sanction the acquisition of a site suitable for the erection of the buildings required for this purpose.” 23 The Canterbury College Ordinance was passed on 16 June 1873. 24 That was not the end of the Canterbury Collegiate Union. At a meeting of the Governors of Canterbury College on 29 January 1874, it was reported that the Union had received a grant from the government that would enable it to carry on its lectures in the Lent term, until the professors appointed by Canterbury College arrived. 25 Finally, on 19 May 1874, the Governors of the Collegiate Union met to decide on its dissolution. Charles Christopher Bowen recapitulated the work of the Union in providing well-attended lectures, and the “liberality and kindness of the gentlemen who undertook the duty of lecturers”. The meeting concluded “after some conversation” and it was moved by WJW Hamilton and seconded by Tancred. “That the Canterbury College, having been affiliated to the New Zealand University, and having undertaken the work originated by this institution, the Collegiate Union determines, according to previous resolution, to dissolve. “That the books, papers, apparatus belonging to the Collegiate Union be handed over to the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College. “That the surplus funds in hand belonging to the Collegiate Union amounting to £109.2.6 be handed over to the Board of Governors of the Canterbury
College, with a request that the sum should be expended in the purchase of standard classical works for the Public Library.” 26 The Press 20 May 1874. As far as Christ’s College was concerned, CC Corfe and EA Worthy no longer had to prepare lectures, but no doubt missed the extra remuneration. William Rolleston, Henry John Tancred, and Charles Christopher Bowen maintained their links to the museum and the Collegiate Union as members of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College. They were joined by Henry John Chitty Harper, Thomas Maude, and Henry Barnes Gresson. However, until 1922, in the south-east corner of the Quad, a visible reminder of the Canterbury Collegiate Union remained. The building that had been designed by Alfred Charles Barker in 1872 continued to be used by the College for all manner of events, and by the Diocese of Christchurch as a Synod Hall and Diocesan library. Its demolition, and the building of the Dining Hall, could have consigned it into oblivion. However, no. The front door was transported to Upper. It now serves as an entrance and an exit.
Above: The Collegiate Union buildings from the Quad. Head Album. CCPAL38/14 Christ’s College Archives Below: The Lych Gate
23 The Press 3 May 1873 24 http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/can_ord/cco1873243/ 25 The Press 30 January 1874 26 The Press 20 May 1874
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