Land endowment for education in New Zealand: the Masterton Trust Lands Trust

Abstract

"The whole question of educational endowments in New Zealand is a study in itself deserving treatment in a separate volume. Suffice it to say that they have been the subject of frequent enquiries and reports by Royal Commissions and Special Committees of Parliament and of frequent legislation in consequence. And the contrast between the terms of the original trusts established in connection with many of them and their present disposition is, to say the least of it, very marked." - A. G. Butchers "Young New Zealand" page 63. Published 1929 Since the above was written there has been no comprehensive volume published on the subject of land endowment for education. The reason is not hard to see. So many detailed, intricate and exhaustive studies would have to be made over a long period of year. The sources are varied but would include examination of land origins and titles in the Land Office and related correspondence, legislation concerning land sales and educational development, access to church and missionary records, a detailed examination of all newspapers published in the colony prior to 1877, a study of all existing private schools, trusts and Maori land. Still further is required a study of personalities such as Governor Grey, Bishop Selwyn and E. G. Wakefield.