PROFESSOR POSNETT'S DUTIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8404, 4 November 1890, Page 5

PROFESSOR POSNETT'S DUTIES.

£ -ft"— Thk letter sent to the Auckland University College Council by Dr. Posnett, regarding his duties and salary, and published in the llkrald on the '28 th Ootober, was before the Council yesterday. Sir G. M. O'Rorkk said that the engagements with the Professors were for a period of five years, and Dr. Posnett's would terminate in March next. It seemed to him that they were not in a position to entertain his proposal to raise his salary to the level of those of the professors at the Melbourne University. The other professors at the Auckland College did the work of two professors. Ho moved, " That Professor Posnett be informed that the Council is not in a position to entertain his proposal to raise his salary to the level of those of the professors in the Melbourne University, which the Council believes to bo not less than £1000 ; that as his engagement terminates in March, 1391, during the College vacation, the Council is willing to release him from duty at. the close of the present terra ; that the Council thank him for the offer to draw up a. syllabus and time-table for the year 18!)1, but think that that matter should be left to the new Professor of Classics and English, in conjunction with the Professorial Board."

Mr. U['ton seconded the motion. Sir G. M. O'Korku mentioned that it had been often suggested that they should obtain the services of persons in tho colony as Professors. If ho knew of any person thoroughly suited for the oflice, he would not place any obstacle in tho way ; but he considered that every person of culture and learni who was brought to New Zealand through these Professorships was r> great gain to the colony. Tft was his intention, therefore, to propose that they should bring a professor from England to fill the present vacancy. The salary was £700, and the fees, the latter amounting to nearly £'200 a year, and there was also the conducting of the University examinations. With regard to the salary, he saw that in the colleges established in Liverpool and Leeds, and other places, they paid £330 a year, and a share of the fees. He did not know what the share would be, but it must be considerable in places like Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham. He had ventured to suggest to Mr. Justice Gillies that the College should pay less for their professors, but he had dissented. Bishop Cowie suggested that the consideration of the subject, be deferred.

Sir G. A). O'Rokkk thought that by a cablegram from the Government to Sir Dillon Bell they should be able to get a Professor out in time. They ought not to wait for the mail. The Government were illing to give instructions to Sir Dillon Bell on the subject. He had been thinking whether they might not reduce the travelling allowances from £150 to £100. Eventually the further consideration of tho subject was postponed till Monday next.