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The people of Canterbury take a pride in their educational institutions, which play an important part in the life of the community. It was the object of the founders of the province to make the city of Christchurch as much like an English town as possible. To attain this end they gave special attention to the subject of providing for education. While material open air advantages, such as squares, parks, and recreation grounds were not neglected, much attention was given to the intellectual training of the younger generations. Those who came out to Canterbury to build here another England fully recognised that education—primary, secondary, and university—must be open to the children, if the new community were to take a leading place in the onward march of progress. The result has been the establishment of a system of education, which has helped to give Christchurch the title of “the Cambridge of New Zealand.” Canterbury College occupies a fine block of buildings close to the Public Gardens, and near to it is Christ's College, which has been established on the traditions of the great public schools in the Old Country. These colleges have sent forth brilliant men and women, who are now engaged in politics, literature, art, or the professions, and are taking prominent parts in building up a great colonial nation in these islands, while many old students have gone to the Mother Country, there to occupy responsible and honourable positions. The Boys' High School and Girls' High School, and the Normal School, have also turned out noted scholars. Two large primary schools are established within the boundaries of Christchurch, and there are many other schools in the suburbs and districts adjacent to the city. Concerning all, or nearly all of these, particulars will be found in this section of the Cyclopedia.