On this day in Yorkshire

February 23, 1925

The rumour that a wealthy citizen is going to supplement. Mr Ferens’ gift of a quarter of a million pounds towards the cost of University College at Hull is merely a guess, and, so far as we can learn, it has very little foundation.

What will probably happen will be the opening of a University Fund, and in that event it is certain that handsome donations will quickly pour in. Nothing definite will done, however, until Mr Ferens’ return from the Continent. This will about a week or so. Meanwhile, the matter is being considered by the educational and legal experts.

Some time ago, as was stated in The Yorkshire Post, Mr Ferens gave sufficient land to form the site of a new Technical College on the Cottingham Road at a time when the Board of Education did not feel disposed to sanction the purchase out of the public funds, and as there is pressing need for new a Technical College - the present buildings in Park Street being overcrowded - a start to bring a University College into being will probably be made in that direction.

Although the statement that a Hull citizen has promised to double Mrb Ferens’ gift and so increase the nucleus to half a million is not, as yet, verified, it is likely that several donations will run into five figures.

It is expected that an appeal to Hull and East Yorkshire will made during the Mayoralty Councillor A. Digby Willoughby, who had honour of announcing Mr Ferens’ gift and acknowledging it on behalf of the city.