22 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION, 



the iDoint of view of the community; they were each 

 and all dependent entirely on the ability of the gentle- 

 man conducting them, and lacked stability in the event 

 of his ill-health or death. For still higher education no 

 provision whatever was available, and colonial students 

 were forced to tx-avel to the Old Country for this pur- 

 pose. In addition to the expense thus involved, it must 

 be remembered that a voyage to and from Europe in 

 those days occupied a considerable portion of a year, 

 and these two disadvantages combined to close this avenue 

 to all but the rich. Those with moderate incomes wer<i 

 forced to see their sons growing up with educational aa- 

 vantages much inferior to their own, and this at a time 

 when the value of education to the community as a whole 

 was beginning to be fully recognised. 



EARLY ATTEMPTS. 



In 1826 an attempt was made in the Northern part 

 of the State to form a Collegiate Institution for the educa- 

 tion of youth and the advancement of science. It was 

 proposed to erect buildings, to govern the College by a 

 Director of Patrons, and to establish a. Public Library 

 and Lecture-room. 



For these purposes a fund was contributed, and 24 

 persons subscribed £50 each on the spot, and a com- 

 mencement was made at Norfolk Plains; but the project 

 failed, and sank into a Private Acadeni}'. 



In 1828 the Government determined to esta,blish a 

 School at New Norfolk, called "The King's Grammai- 

 School." The Members of the Grovernment were tne 

 Board of Guardians ; the Master was in Holy Orders 

 This effort was also frustrated. (West's "History of Tas- 

 mania," Vol. 1, page 124). 



In 1833 the project was revived by Governor Arthur. 

 He seems to have desired to commence a Collegiate In- 

 stitution, and in March of this year took advantage of 

 the fact that the Venerable Archdeacon Broughton, after- 

 wards the first Bishop of Australia, was then visiting the 

 Colony, to confer with him as to the establishment of 

 such an Institution. 



Considerable interest appears to have been taken 

 ill this project, and the inhabitants of Hobart Town pre- 

 sented a Memorial to His Excellency on the subject, whilst 

 in consecutive i'lsues of the "Courier," then the leading 

 newspaper, the leading article dealt exclusively with this 

 subject. 



In his address to the Legislative Council on August 

 28th, 1833, the Lieutenant-Governor remarked: — "It is 



