The Wellington University College.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 108, 9 May 1887, Page 2

The Wellington University College.

DETAILS OF THE PBEMIEB'S SCHEME. In pursuance of a resolution passed at a meeting of the University Graduates' Association, held at the Wellington College on Saturday evening, a deputation consisting of the Eev. W. H. West, 8.A., LL.B. (President of the Association), Messrs. J. Mackay, M.A., Kenneth Wilson, M.A., A. de B. Brandon, BA., and T. E. Fleming, B.A. (Secretary) waited upon the Premier this morning to suggest amendments iii the Wellington University College Bill. The Ber. Mr. West, in introducing the business, conveyed to Sir Bobert Stout a resolution of thanks accorded to him by the Association for the great interest which he had taken in the establishment of a University College in Wellington. There had been, Mr. West said, a considerable amount of public apathy in the matter, bnt it was hoped that when the College was established abundant proof would be furnished that there was need for such an institution, and that an additional appetite for higher education would be'oreated. Education was the great equaliser, and it ought to be within the reach of the humblest person in the community to enjoy the advantago of a University education if so disposed. The principal point with regard to which it was desired to amend the Bill was the provision for the representation of graduates in the Council. It was suggested that the Council should oonsist of 11 members, as in the case of the Auokland University College, instead of nine as provided in the Bill, and that the graduates should elect four of these instead of two, as proposed. The Premier pointed out that graduates could not have any representation until the College was in working order, when they would have equal representation with the Governor, Parliament, and the Education Boardß. Mr. Kenneth Wilson asked whether it would not be possible to have the graduates of the New Zealand University now resident in Wellington taken as the constituency, so that it would be possible to elect their representatives at once. Mr. Mackay observed that there were at the present time more than 30 graduates residing in Wellington alone. The Premier thought that if the present graduates were drawn in, matters would become complicated. It would not be possible to have an election until there were graduates of the college. In the course of further conversation the Premier pointed out that the Wellington College would be the largest in the colony, becanse it would be fed by the Straits Settlements, as well as the Wellington district. Sir Bobert promised to consider the request of the deputation for increased representation. He had, however, hoped to place the committal of the Bill at the top of the Order Paper for to-morrow, so as to get it through the House and into the Legislative Council, to ensure that it would pass this session. It would therefore be as well not to obstruct its progress with any amendments, but to leave them to be made in " another place," if thought desirable. -

The question of the insufficiency of the endowment was then brought up. The Premier said that Government had not the funds to endow tho institution thoroughly. If they had proposed an endowment of say £4000, tho Bill would simply have beon kicked out of the House. But if the College showed that it had students, Parliament would doubtless consider an application for further endowment at a futnro time. His idea was to make a start with Dr. Hoc tor and his staff in soienoe, and also a professor of classics. In the oourae of a year or two they might get another professor either by means of endowments or in some other way, and he thought that the next appointmont should be that of a profsosor of either phyßics cr biolofry. They should afterwards keep in view the foundation of a professorship of law, which ought to be made a special feature. The Bill was a day of email things, and could not be regarded as laying down a complete system of University work at all. The students would have the use of the General Assembly Library, and he had no doubt that thoro would be more elasticity about, the arrangements than at present. Mr. Webt said that graduates had lately had the opportunity of using tho library, bnt tho restrictions were such as to make men chafo under them.. The Premier said that his proposal would be to throw open tho library to everybody bnt the members of the Athenarum, with which he did not wish to clash. Some minor matters connected with the Bill having been discussed, tho deputation thanked Sir Kobort Stout and withdrew.