THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE QUESTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 30

THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE QUESTION.

A deputation waited on tho Minister of Education on Thursday night in reference to tho equipment of a University College for Wellington Sir Robert Stout introduced the deputation, saying they asked the Government to favourably consider tho propriety and justice of putting the University College in Wellington in such a position as to bo of service and utility. He urged tho justice of this claim, and I)r Innes, Mr A. Collins, Mrs Taskcr, Dr Watters, and other members of tho deputation also spoko in support of this movement. Tho Minister said ho personally sympathised with tho object of the. visit of the deputation, and he hoped that tho neglect of tho past which had been referred to might bo remedied, and tho needs of tho future supplied. The matter was receiving the consideration of the Government, and he hoped that it would be found possible to give the University College in Wellington such a start as would set it in the right way. Ho was glad to hear from moro than one speaker that they recognised tho importance of a start, and ho trusted that what could bo done would be found sufficient for that purpose. Of course ways and means wero an essential and had to be considered. He was afraid the reserves referred to by Sir Robert Stout wero not of much practical value. The 4000 acres in Wellington district were only valued at ,£2OOO, and tho 10,000 acres in Taranaki at ,£SOOO, while the accumulated income in the bands of tho Public Trustee from both reserves only amounted to £lOlB. Ho trusted, however, that it would bo satisfactory to tho deputation to know that, so far as tho Government was able to do it, the object which they were aiming at would bo effect to. W ith regard to the Mount Cook Prison Kesorvo, referred to by one speaker, he was unable to give any assurance that it could bo diverted from its present purpose. The deputation thanked tho Minister and withdrew.