UNIVERSITY COLLEGE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6696, 4 May 1883, Page 6

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING. A SPECIAL meeting of the Auckland University College Council was held yesterday afternoon. Present : Sir Maurice OVRorke (ia the chair), Rev. T. Buddie, Rev. D. Brace, Colonel Hnultaiu, Bishop Come, and Mr. Hesketh.

DEATH OF PROPESSQR WALKER.

The Chairman said it was his painful duty to commraunicate to the Council the sad intelligence of the accidental death by drowning of the Professor of Mathematics, George Francis Walker. Ttie circumstances of his death by drowning were so ■'•"ell known to the public that he would not Iwell on that phase of the question. He fe' -re that not only the hearts of all the ased gentleman's acquaintances had b'ib~ >"rung by his melancholy death, but he also kfcewas a fact that the heart of the community at large had been deeply touched by . the sad event. Born eight and twenty years ago iu Durham, he, nt the early age of nineteen, obtained a fellowship in the Durham University ; and proceeding thence to compote for the greatest mathematical prize that is offered in England—a wranglership at Cambridge— he, at the end of his three years' course, obtained tha second place amongst the wranglers of that year, 1879. Turning, then, from the mere acquisition of knowledge—to what he (the speaker) conceived to be one of the noblest callings—to the task of imparting knowledge, he was so successful in that career that, in a few years, one of his pupils —to his (the speaker's) astouishinent, and, he thought, to the astonishment of a"ll who took an interest in the superior education of women—a young lady student of Newnham Hall—passed so excellent an examination for a wranglership, a few years ago, as to be entitled to rank eighth on the list of wranglers of the year, had she not been disqualified by her sex. Taking some interest in educational matters generally, he re.-d with , astonishment at ttie tim« that a lady had taken such a high position. He was so struck with it that he made mention of the fact during a debate in J;he House of Representatives, and said he thought that the name of Miss Scott, of Lancaster, should be canonised amongst women for having displayed such great attainments. He felt, as soon as the Government undertook to procure professors from .England, that it would be a great matter if one at least of the four professors should have had experience of lecturing and teaching at Girton College or Newnham Hall—those two establishments at Cambridge solely devoted to the academic education of women. It was, therefore, with great pleasure that he learned that the AgentGeneral had sent out the very gentleman who had trained and taught the young lady who had attained such great distinction. He thought they were singularly fortunate in having obtaioed the services of Professor Walker, and he looked forward with intense pleasure to the long career of usefulness that he thought awaited him. But it had pleised a Higher Power to snatch him from them, and he was now to be lamented as dead ere his crime.

Ostendent tnrria Imnc tantum fata, ne.pie ultra Esse 3inent.* Notwithstanding all their efforts he still lies in his watery bier. In a long conversation he (the speaker) had had with the deceased gentleman shortly after he came here he had been very much struck by what he thought was the singular goodfortuue which enabled this Council to obtain such a professor. Professor \Y alker said, during that conversation, that at the latter end of last year he was travelling in Russia when he received a communication from a friend in England directing his attention to the advertisement in the English papers inviting candidates for the mathematical professorship at Auckland. He thought that such an appointment would suit him and accord with his tastes, and he at once set off for England, only arriving a few days before the time expired for sending in applications. He had only some three days in which to get testimonials, and he only sent in four. But, so excellent were they, that the two distinguished mathematicians Dr. Jellett, Provost of Trinity College, and Professor Tait, of Glasgow, recommended him for the professorship, and he was appointed.' He at once made arrangements to come to Auckland, and arrived, as they all knew, a few weeks ago. He (the speaker) would not harrow his own feelings, or the feelings of the members of the Council any further by dwelling on this most calamitous mishap which had befallen tliem in these the early days of their University College beyond these last words that he felt that they would all extend their sorrow and sympathy to the parents of the deceased, who still live in Durham, when they (the Council) think of the anguish that awaits them when the sad news arrives of the melancholy death of their distinguished son. Bishop Cowxk moved, seconded by Rev. Daviu Bruce, "That the Chairman be requested to communicate to the parents of the late George Francis Walker an expression of the deep grief this Council feels at the premature death of their distinguished son, and the Council's heartfelt sympathy with them in their sad affliction."—Motion put and carried. The Rev. D. Brcck proposed, and Mr. Heskktii seconded, and it was resolved :— "That the Chairman telegraph to the AgentGeneral requesting liirn to break the sad uews to the parents of the late Professor Walker." In reply to Mr. Hkskbth, the Chairman' said he was not aware whether or not Reuter had telegraphed the news. The Chairman- said that he had waited upon the Hon. Mr. Whitaker, the Premier, on the previous day, requesting that the Council might gave the benefit of the services of the Agent-General in selecting a successor to Professor Walker, and the Premier at once said that he would place the services of the Agent-General at the disposal of the Council for selecting a Professor if they made application to the Government to that effect. He (the Chairman) thought the new professor should be engaged, as the others were, directly by the Government. He moved, " That a telegram be forwarded by the Council to the Colonial Secretary, requesting him to apprise the Agent-General of the death by accidental drowning of Professor Walker, and instructing him to select a professor from the former candidates unless he should think it more desirable to invite fresh applications." Motion put and carried. TIIK PROFESSORIAL BOAItD. The Chairman then introduced Professors Tucker, Thomas, and Brown to the members of the Council. The first mi eting of the Professorial Board was fixed for Monday next at 11 o'clock, in the building at present occupied by the Council. The sub-committee who had been appointed to confer with Professor Tucker, were iusturucted to confer with the Professorial Board in reference to the date of opening the College, and report to the Council. The Rev. D. Bruce was added to the committee. The Council then adjourned.