MIDDLE DISTRICT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2642, 17 October 1895, Page 2

MIDDLE DISTRICT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Middle District University College was held in the Education Board buildings yesterday morning. There were present— Messrs J. E. Blair (president), A. Warburton, A. W. Hogg, M.H.E., T. L. Buick, M.H.E., Sir Eobert Stout, Hon T. Kelly, M.L.C., and Dr Chappie. The Hon Mr Kelly presented a statement showing that the area of land open for selection in the Wellington district amounted to 87,291 acres, and the areas being prepared for selection to 140,000 acres. He had obtained this information from the Crown Lands Office. Sir Eobert Stout said that no answer had been received from the Government yet, and it was now a month since the deputation waited upon the Government. Dr Chappie, in accordance with notice, moved that the Executive Committee be authorised to call for applications from those willing to act as honorary lecturers to the University College, and that such Executive Council be empowered to make all appointments and other arrangements necessary to enable the lecturers to commence next winter session. After the appointments were made, steps could be taken with regard to affiliation to the New Zealand University. Every step they took was so much toward the end, and would assist in educating public opinion to their needs. If classes .were started it would demonstrate their need of lecture-rooms and other things.

Sir Robert Stout seconded the motion, but pointed out that the Unversity had refused to allow the Nelson, St. John’s (Auckland) and Wellington Colleges to affiliate because they had not got sufficient staffs. At present the New Zealand University standard was the highest in the world, because they insisted upon a sufficient staff being employed. It was admitted that their B.A. degree was higher than at Oxford or Cambridge. Ho did not. think the University would allow affiliation under the circumstances, and he suggested that Dr Chappie should allow the motion to stand over’ until the Council saw what answer they got from the Government. He was sure the New Zealand University would not recognise it unless they had sufficient teachers, because to do so would lower their standard at once,

The President thought the proposal was altogether premature. He had had some experience of doing things without sufficient funds, and they were proposing to do something without any funds at all. He suggested that the best course would be to bring the matter up again later on. Dr Chappie thought they should start by doing what they could, The fact that they qould not affiliate should not deter them. There were plenty of men in the town quite competent to start these classes. The Hoh Mr Kelly pointed out that they could not get the best men without paying for them. Dr Chappie said they had honorary lecturers in Otago. On being put, the motion was lost on the voices. Sir Robert Stout moved, "That this Council regrets that no reply has yet been received from the Government with regard to the endowments for the college, and that the secretary write to the Minister of Education asking him to state what the intentions of the Government are in reference to the endowments." Mr Buicfc seconded the motion, which was carried. The Chairman stated that if there was any necessity he would call a special meeting of the Council. Sit Robert Stout gave notice that he would move at next meeting that the regulations be amended so as to provide that the meetings of the Council be held on the Friday following the meeting of the Education Board in every alternate month until Parliament met.