UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 7480, 26 March 1888, Page 3

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

# A special meeting this afternoon was attended by the Chancellor, Mr J. Allen. M.H.R., Mr J. Fulton, M.H.R., lion. W, H. Reynolds, Dr Brown, Ur Hoeken, Mr R. L. "Stanford. Mr E. B. Cargill, Mr J. M'Lean, Mr G. 0. Russell, and Mr J. Roberts. up. ULACK and Tiir. rnuss. The Chancellor mentioned that he had received a letter in which Dr Black intimated that he would no longer be able to conduct the teaching of metallurgy and assaying in the School of Mines. His reasons were : In the first place, that he found his time taken up by the chemistry classes ; and, secondly, that his teaching in the metallurgy and assaying classes had been denounced in the Press as inefficient, the article having been written by a member of the University Council. The Chancellor, being asked what article was referred to, said that he bad no doubt most of the members had seen an article in the ' Daily Times' in which Dr Black's teaching was denounced as inefficient, and it was supposed that the article had been written by a member of the council. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds said that Dr Biack must not get into a pet in this way because the papers printed something that he did not approve of. On the motion of Mr Alle.y, it was resolved that consideration of the matter be postponed for the present. INSTRUCTION IN INSANITY. The Chancellor announced that arrangements had been made by which Dr King would give clinical instruction at Seacliff to the students. The course would be for a three months' term during the winter months. TIIE BOLOGNA UNIVERSITY. The draft of the reply to be sentto the Bologna University, in connection with the invitation to send delegates to the eighth centenary celebration, was read by Mr Stanford and approved of. THE MUSEUM ENDOWMENT. An application having been received for the reduction of the rent of the museum endowment, an opinion was read from Messrs Smith, Chapman, Sinclair, and White on the following points:—" (1) In the case say of the museum endowment, has the covenant of the original lessees to pay rent been waived by the subsequent action of the University, viz. («) consenting to their assignment of the lease to Orbell, (b) reducing the rent payablo by Orbell, and taking the reduced rent from year to year for two yeirs ? (2) AVhat would be the effect on the original liability of the University now entering into a contract with the assignee (Orbell) to reduce his rent permanently, i.e., for the rest of the term, five years ? (3) What is the legal duty of the University with regard to the remission of rents, i.e., looking upon tho council as trustees for a public purpose ; what is the proper rule to guide them in dealing with such matters?'' The opinion was in effect (1) that the original liability of William St. Paul Gellibrand, Sir Francis Smith, W. B. Gellibrand, Mary Selina Gellibrand, and James Smith remained unaffected by the subsequent dealings with their property, though sanctioned by the University ; (2) to contract now with Orbell to reduce his rent permanently, i.e., to the end of the term, would have no effect on tho lessors; (3) the legal duty of the University was to look after its own interests and no other, and it might make concessions to or reductions in favor of tenants, if it probably thereby conserved its own interests. The new legislation was not primarily intended for the relief oi tenants, but was designed that that relief might be given in order to save leasing authorities from worse consequences which might ensue from strict enforcement of leases. The bankruptcy of a tenant might, for example, be a worse misfortune to the University than the loss of a portion of his rent. The council must then conEider what is really the best and most prudent course to pursue, having regard to the peculiar features in each ca3e. Taking, for instance, tho two cases of the Museum Reserve and Barewood, it would have to consider the question with reference firstly to the probable solvency of the actual tenants and original lessees in each case. In the case of the museum reserve it would also have to consider other circumstances—viz., the probable attitude of tho original lessees; considering the shortness of the remainder of the term and the circumstance that an action would be a little more expensive than in an ordinary case. After some discussion Mr J. Roberts said that he would guarantee the'payment of the rent now due, and the next half-year s rent, and the application could come up again. It was minuted :-«'Mr Ofbell'B application for a further reduction of rent withdrawn through Mr Roberts, his agent.

r " : " THE BAKEWOOD RUN. # The Chancellor said that an application had been also received for a reduction of the rent of this run. , The Hon. W. H. Reynolds said that the council had made certain arrangements and

would be unable to cany on if they reduced their revenue.

Mr Roberts pointed out that last year their income was L 545 over their disbursements.

The Registrar remarked that three more lecturers had been appointed since then which would materially reduce the income. After further discussion Mr Bethune, the applicant, was introduced, and in answer to questions said that he had put about L 9.000 into the run. He had worked the place very economically, but had got neither salary nor interest upon his money. The Chancellor asked how Mr Bethune, as a business man, came to give L 2,000 for tie run and now asked for a reduction. Mr Bethune replied that at the time he took the run he had not been long in New Zealand, and he had been led to believe that it would carry 20,000 sheap. He afterwards found that it would not carry more than 15,000. A difference of 5,000 was a good deal. He believed that the run would not carry more than 17,000, even before the rabbits were so bad. The Chancellor, said that tins was a matter of life and death to tho Council as well as to Mr Bethune, for they had to pay their professors' salaries. What rent would Mr Bethune be able to give, and still carry on? Mr Bethune said that he believed Barewood was worth L.1,750 a year. The Chancellor : That is a reduction of L 250.

Mr Roberts: Are you prepared to offer that sum ?

Mr Bethune said that he was. He believed he would be abl« to get a salary out of the run with that rental. But if he could sell his sheep he would rather give up the run altogether than take it at even L 1,500. Mr Roberts inquired whether Mr Bethune asked for a reduction for this year only. Mr Bethune replied that that would be of no use, as he would have to ask the council again next year. Mr Stanford asked Mr Bethune if he could get a guarantee for the payment of the rent during the remainder of the lease, Mr Bethune did not know ; but he could try. Mr J. M'Lean suggested that tho council accept Mr Bethune's offer from year to year, and if things improved they could raise the rent again. Mr Bethune professed himself satisfied with that arrangement, and On the motion of Mr Caroill it was rosolved—"Ttat the council having heard Mr Bethune, agree to remit the sum of L 250 for the year commencing April 1, 18S8, provided that the council have the legal power to do so. The matter to be referred to the council's solicitors." THE SCHOOL OF MINES. The Chancellor said that he had received a communication from the Minister of Mines stating that the council could not count on the Government subsidy of LSOO being continued after the present year. Mr Fulton remarked that the Government had promised to continue this subsidy if they remained in office, but Parliament could of course only grant the money for a year at a time. It was resolved that Messrs Reynolds, Fulton, and Allen interview the Minister of Mines on the subject. THE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOHY. Professor Parker applied for an assistant during the winter months.—Consideration of the application was postponed. THE COUNCIL AND THE HOSPITAL BOARD. Au application was read from the Hospital Koa;\l for a contribution of L2OO towards tho completion of the operating room at the hospital, the letter also intimating that a deputation from the Board would wait en the council to urge the claim. The deputation did not put in an appearance at the time arranged, and it was resolved that owing to straitened circumstances the council were unable to entertain the demand. A moment after this was carried Messrs Robin, Solomon, and Black came in, and the resolution was announced to them by the Chancellor. The question was, however, re opened, and after discussion it was decided that a joint deputation from the Univeisity Council and tho Hospital Board should wait on the Premier when he arrives in Dunedin and endeavor to get from him a promise that the Government should pay the L4OO as undertaken by their predecessors.