Peachey Allan: Christ’s College (Canterbury) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
Peachey Allan: Christ’s College (Canterbury) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:667;Page:14232] 
ALLAN PEACHEY (National—Tamaki) 
: 
 It is interesting that I have been given an opportunity to speak on the second reading of the Christ’s College (Canterbury) Amendment Bill. I am not from Christchurch and I am certainly not an old boy of Christ’s College. In fact my schooling probably could not be any more different from what one would have had at Christ’s College. Ruapehu College is a long way from the august historic grounds of Christ’s College. In fact I suspect that for the first time ever Ruapehu College and Christ’s College have been mentioned in the same sentence—and it happened in this Parliament. There are certainly no Ruapehu College amendment bills on the books that I am aware of. I doubt whether I will ever have the privilege unlike my fine colleague Nicky Wagner of bringing such a bill to the House. 
Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the debate this afternoon has been hearing of Mr Gilmore’s experiences of playing cricket on the hallowed green grounds of Christ’s College and noting that he made a duck. I once made a duck in an interschool cricket match. It was against Taihape College. I remember it well. It was 45 years ago and it was my first game as the captain of the Ruapehu College first eleven. 
Grant Robertson 
: There were only 10 players. 
ALLAN PEACHEY 
: We always struggled to have 11 players; I can tell Mr Robertson that I think my sister filled in. I remember it well. We arrived at the ground in Taihape and the first thing we had to do was clear the sheep off the paddock. It was on a school day so classes were in. We had to mop up the droppings mark our own wicket get changed behind the tree and proceed to play the game. But it was very character-building I am bound to say. 
This is a very simple bill. It amends the Christ’s College (Canterbury) Act 1910 to remove difficulties in administering property vested in the college. I suppose we could say it is legislation for pulling things into the 21st century. I have been very impressed during the debate by all the great talk of the Government Administration Committee—is that what it is called? 
Grant Robertson 
: That’s right. 
ALLAN PEACHEY 
: I had never heard of it before. But clearly it plays a very important role in this Parliament because it gives Chris Hipkins something to do. It gives the young man some purpose in life so all credit for that to Nicky Wagner. I commend the committee for tightening up the provisions of the proposed bill and for calling on the wording of the Charities Act. I think it shows the value of having a committee like that and of the select committee process generally. 
I conclude my brief remarks by paying tribute to the member whose name this bill is in. Nicky Wagner is a very fine representative of Christchurch. She works very hard for the people of Christchurch. I have spent time with her in central Christchurch and know how widely recognised and appreciated is the work that she has done. It is to Nicky Wagner’s credit that the bill has come for its second reading. In the great tradition of Ruapehu College I wish Christ’s College well and commend the bill to the House.