MIDDLE DISTRICT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 4, 4 July 1895, Page 3

MIDDLE DISTRICT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

» The first meeting of the newly-appointed Council of the Middle District Uoiversity College was held at the Education Board's offices this morning. There wore present — Sir feohert Stout, M.H.R., Dr. Newmin, M.H.R., Mr. Buiok, M.H.8., Dr. Wallis (Bishop of Wellington), Dr. Chappie, and Mr. A. W^rburton. Sir Eobert Stout, who was voted to the ohair, said at present they had no endowment or investments. The first buMuesß would be to appoint a President, fix the dates for future meetings, and they might also arrange to interview the Minister for Education, and ask what provision the Government intended maHne for the College. He believed one reserve had been set aside. Seeing th»t the colony gave iUOOO a year to the Auckland College, which had several endowments, they abonld atk the Govornment to make some permanent provision for this College. Dr. Newman nominated Sir Robert Stout v the first President. Sir Robert declined , and suggested that Mr. J. E. Blair should be appointed. Mr. Blair wu.9 accordingly •looted. It was rosolved that the Council should meet on the third Wednesdny in every month at 11 o'olook. Power was given to the President to call a speoial meeting on three days' notice, and it was directed that special meetings might a'so be edlorl on the requisition of five members of the Coincil. A sub-committee, consisting of Sir Bobert Stout, Dr. Wallis, and Mr. Warburton, was appointed to draft by-laws. It was resolved tbat the whojo Council ■hould interview the Premier and the Minister for Education with reference to the question of endowments, &o. Sir Bobert Stout nndortook to arrange for the interview. Dr. Chappie submitted a drawing, showing what the Mount Cook Gaol would be •when completed. The design if oarried out would result in a buildinsr which would be sufficient to contain the_ whole of the long-sentenoed prisoners in the colony. This was not required. The building might be converted into a University College with very little trouble, seeing' that only a portion of it was now finished. It was one of the best sites in the oil?, and the Government chonld be asked to give it. • . Sir Robert Stout said the matter might be mentioned when the deputation waited on the Government. The Terrace, Gaol, in his opinion, was Bnlfioient% for present prison purposes, and there was amp'e room to extend it if required. They oonld not expect to have a full-sized college for many years to oome, but with the land around the Mount Cook Gaol as an endowment, and a small money grant from the Government, they could get along very well for some time. Dr. Chappie said he understood it was proposed to remove the prisoners into the gaol shortly. Unless steps were taken beforehand, there might be some difficulty in getting the building afterwards. Mr. Buick eaid this was a matter in whicl the oitizens of Wellington would no doubi * be glad'to assist the Council. Dr. Newman snggested tbe advisablenesi of oomninnicating with the various loca bodies and societies, asking tbeir hell in supporting the University. He undertool to draft a letter and snbmit it to the nex meeting of the Council. This oonuluded the business.