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236 HISTORY OF BRANT COUNTY "That in the opinion of this meeting it is highly desirable that a Ladies' College be established in Brantford; that it is desirable that as a guarantee of the educational and moral training of the pupils, said College should be in connection with one of the Evangelical denominations; and that as the Episcopal, the Methodist and the Baptist Churches have already successfully established such institutions in Ontario it is considered advisable that the said College should be in connection with the Presbyterian Church." A committee was appointed and on September 16th, 1874, the incorporation of a company took place with an authorized capital of $60,000. The first Board of directors consisted of A. Robertson, Manager of the Bank of British North America, President; H. W. Brethour, Vice President; James Kerr, Treasurer; B. F. Fitch, Secretary; W. Watt Sr., Rev. Dr. Cochrane, G. H. Wilkes and Thos. McLean. Purchase was made of the handsome residence and grounds of Hon. E. B. Wood on Brant Avenue, (site of present Collegiate), and the building was extended so as to afford accommodation for about eighty boarders. For the structure! and the improvement of it $50,000 was spent. The inscription stone was laid on August 24, 1874 by her Excellency the Countess of Dufferin, and the college was formally opened in the following October. The first principal was Dr. Clarke, and then Rev. A. F. Kemp, but neither remained for any lengthy period. In 1878 Mr. T. M. Mclntyre was appointed and held office for many years. He was succeded by Mrs. Rolls, Miss Philpotts, and Rev. Mr. Cruickshank. The resident pupils came from all portions of Canada, and there was also a large attendance of day pupils. In addition to the literary course especial attention was paid to music, the fine arts, and other accomplishments. From the first, Dr. Cochrane, who had taken a very active part in the founding of the College, was associated with the staff as President of the Faculty. In later years others who became associated with the directorate were, W. Buck, H. B. Leeming, Dr. Nichol, C. B. Heyd, G. Foster and Robt. Henry. After an existence of twenty six years during which a very high standard of excellence had been maintained, it was decided that the Collegiate Institute course quite completely met local needs and the institution was closed in 1900. The art and musical departments were transferred to the Conservatory of Music which Mr. W. N. Andrews, who had been musical director, established in the same year. Thus came to a close the career of an establishment which for a quarter of a century had filled a very important and effective part in the life of the community.