The Press. TUESDAY. MARCH 13, 1877.

Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 3643, 13 March 1877, Page 2

The Press. TUESDAY. MARCH 13, 1877.

We were of course not aware* when writing the article that appeared in yesterday's issue, that the vacancies in the Senate of the University had been filled up.. The Gazette notifying the new appointments only reached us yesterday _ afternoon. We observe, however, that the Order in Council by which the new Fellows are nominated, is dated March Bth; some while after the session of the Senate had actually begun. It thus appears that the vacancies were kept open till the very last, and were not filled till it was scarcely probable that any of the nominees would be able, at so short a notice, to attend this yearns meeting.

In other respects the appointments are simply a farther illustration of our remarks. They are made on exactly the same principles as of old. We ought perhaps to except Mr. Justice* Bichmond, whose appointment is perfectly satisfactory. A gentleman of his high culture and intellectual attainments cannot fail to be a most valuable acquisition to the University Council. Dr. Hector, again, may be taken as representing the claims of science to adequate recognition in the University course. But with respect to Mr. Bichmond, it is at least doubtful whether a Judge of the Supreme Court ought to be included among the number of Fellows. However well qualified otherwise, his judicial engagements are such as amount to a practical disqualification. For the Senate is a peripatetic body, holding its annual meetings at each of the chief towns of the colony in succession, and never at the same town twice running; while absence from: two conae--cutive annual meetings involves forfeiture of a Fellowship. But there are only a few weeks in the year when a Judge is at liberty. Unless, therefore, the Senate- meets during that time (which as yet, by the way, it has never done) it is impossible for a Judge to be present except on the occasion when it becomes the turn of his own town to be the place of meeting; and forfeiture for non-attendance is inevitable. In the present case, for example, the law vacation is over and the Judges are wanted in their respective districts. Consequently, no Fellow who has a seat on the Bench can take any part in the proceedings of the University this year, except as a proxy voter, unless he is stationed at Nelson. afraid, then, that the appointment of Mr. Justice Bichmond is rather of the nature of ft French compliment. And at best, we imagine, it is but a happy accident. "We strongly suspect that he has been selected, not on account of his eminent personal fitness, but merely to take the place of Mr. Justice Chapman, retired. And as for the remaining five, their appointment is exactly such as we commented on yesterday.. Looking through the list, it is obvious that the number is made, up either by the re-nomination of those who bad lost their seats, or by the substitution of persons filling precisely similar public positions; The list bears evidence on the face of it that the members have been chosen for nomination, not on any of the j -grounds that ought to be the cardinal motive of choice, but merely in deference to their official status, or for political reasons, or as representatives of religious denominations.