24 October 2003 Roll Book Takes Lincoln Students Back to Great-Great-Grandparents Day

Studying at Lincoln University is a family affair for cousins Hamish Murray and David Fulton and as the place starts to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its founding there couldn't be anyone around with much closer historical connections.

Both are great-great-grandsons of Harry Arthur Knight of Coalgate, the very first student enrolled when Lincoln opened its doors as a School of Agriculture on 19 July 1880, two years after its foundation.

Furthermore their great-great-grandfather's nephew, Canterbury Provincial Councillor AC Knight, sponsored the local government resolution for a land endowment that eventually led to the establishment of Lincoln University's forerunner, the School of Agriculture at Lincoln.

As the University goes through its archives in preparation for the Labour Weekend 125th jubilee Hamish and David were delighted to be shown the original roll book from 1880 in which their great-great-grandfather's name is entered as the first student.

Later in life H. A. Knight went on to become Chairman of Lincoln's Board of Governors and he was the principal benefactor behind the construction of the University's Memorial Hall.

Down the years several other descendants of H. A. Knight have been students at Lincoln including David's father Gordon Fulton.

David and Hamish both entered Lincoln University as Sports Scholars in 2001 and they are wrapping up their degrees with their final exams this month. David, a Cricket Scholar, has been doing a Bachelor of Commerce and Management in Accounting and Economics and Hamish, a Rugby Scholar has been doing a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture).

During their time as Sports Scholars David has played cricket for Canterbury Country and Hamish has played rugby for Canterbury Country and Canterbury Colts.

Great-great-grandfather would have approved – he was a keen rugby player and captained the Lincoln School of Agriculture's rugby team.

Since opening day 19 July 1880 over 25,000 students have passed through what is now Lincoln University.

Pictured left: Gordon Hamish Fulton, David's father and descendant of H A Knight. 1970 V.F.M.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand