More Info →Gathering at Laying of Massey Agricultural College Foundation Stone

Description

This audience is gathered to observe the laying of the Massey Agricultural College Foundation Stone by Governor General, Sir Charles Fergusson, accompanied by his wife, Lady Alice Fergusson. The vice-regal party were out of shot on a stage to the front right, facing the crowd.

The dignitaries included, George William Forbes (Minister of Agriculture), Sir George Fowlds (chairman of the Massey College Council), and Professor Geoffrey Sylvester Peren (College Principal). Also present was James Alfred Nash (former Mayor of Palmerston North, 1908-1923), whose wife, Elizabeth Nash, is seated on the left in the front row (next to the woman with the fox fur on her lap).

The bunting above the audience was at the old Batchelar homestead, site of the new main building in construction. The mortar and trowel appear on the right side of the photo, next to the edge of the foundation stone.

The Manawatu Standard reported, "The function was described as an epoch making event in the agricultural history of New Zealand, and as marking a great forward movement." It was expected that 200 students would be enrolled by the following year.

Identification

Object type

Image

Relation

Z Collection - 2017-60

Date

December 4, 1929

Digitisation ID

2017P_2017-60_023270

Format

B&W print

Held In

"Coolstore"