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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The Auckland Grammar School

The Auckland Grammar School was founded under an Act of the Provincial Legislature in 1869, with the name of “The Auckland Grammar School.” The Provincial Act was repealed by an Act of the General Assembly in 1877, which designated the institution as the Auckland College and Grammar School, and under this name it was for some time affiliated to the New Zealand University. On the establishment of the Auckland
Hanna, photo.Auckland Grammar School.

Hanna, photo.Auckland Grammar School.

University College affiliation ceased, the term College became inapplicable, and the school reverted to its original name in pursuance of the Auckland Grammar School Act, 1899, which embodied in one measure the statute of 1877 and several amending Acts. The endowment for the school was due to Sir George Grey, who, during his first Governorship of New Zealand, set apart, in the years 1850–53, certain lands in the City of Auckland, Parnell, North Shore, Epsom, and Pakuranga, as an endowment for the maintenance and support of a Grammar School on the isthmus on which Auckland stands. These lands were carefully husbanded by the Provincial Government for sixteen years, and after a considerable conflict of opinion between the Superintendent and the Provincial Council for three years, the school was opened by the Provincial Government in 1869. Great difficulties were at first experienced in getting suitable housing, but these were solved by Parliament making a grant of £5000 for the erection of the present building in Symonds Street. The school was subsequently enlarged, making the total cost £10,000, and the school buildings and apparatus are insured for £7400. Originally the school was founded as a boys' school, but on the withdrawal of the Government grant from the Auckland Girls High School the Board of Governors, in 1888, took over that institution, which has since that time been worked as a separate branch of the Grammar School, though in the same building. There are 344 pupils—212 boys and 132 girls; the curriculum embraces the usual grammar school subjects, and especial attention has always been paid to technical and commercial work. The workshop, gymnasium, and laboratory are fully equipped. Sir Maurice O'Rorke, LL.D., and Speaker of the House of Representatives, has been chairman of the Board of Governors for the past twenty years, and has always taken a great interest in the affairs of the school. At present (December, 1900) the other members of the Board are:—Professor F. D. Brown, M.A., vice-chairman; the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. Theo. Cooper, Mr. S. Luke, Mr. Bagnall (chairman of the Board of Education), the Hon. W. Jennings, M.L.C., the Hon. J. A. Tole, B.A., LL.B. (Sydney), Dr. E. Roberton, M.D., and Professor A. P. W. Thomas, M.A. Mr. W. Wallace Kidd, of 302 Victoria Arcade, is secretary; and Mr. O. Mays, Palmerston Buildings, treasurer. The staff at present consists of the headmaster, Mr. Tibbs, M.A., Oxford, twelve assistant masters and five assistant mistresses—namely, assistant masters; W. J. Morrell, M.A., J. F. Sloman, B. A. (Sydney), J. G. Trevithick, P. Marshall, M.A., B.Sc., F.G.S., the Rev. J. King Davis, M.A., J. H. Turner, M.A., H. J. Mahon, B.A., R. A. McCullough, M.A., S. W. Entrican, M.A. (Royal University, Ireland). Assistant mistresses: Miss E. G. Wallace, Miss A. C. Morrison, M.A., Miss W. Picken, M.A., Miss Haultain, Miss B. Blades. Mr. K. Watkins is visiting master, and Mr. W. M. Carrollo, instructor in drill and gymnastics.