DR. LINDSAY AND PROFESSOR BLACK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3252, 9 July 1872, Page 3

DR. LINDSAY AND PROFESSOR BLACK.

to the Eurroit.

Slit —The letter of Professor Black in'your issue of to-day scarcely requires any notice at my hands. My motive, as already explained, was to ask some one connected with the institution to reply, authoritatively, to the statements made by Dr Lindsay as to tho status of the University of Otago. Nothing was further from my intention than to be apologist for Professor Black. His position having been incidentally referred to, it was only because thi.s had been done that I named him as being the proper person to set Dr Lindsay right, should the Council of the University fail to do so. Apparently tho Professor is himself an apt apologist, neither requiring, nor indeed meriting, any assistance from me. The deprecatory manner in which he has written of my criticism on Dr Lindsay's statement is a sufficient proof of this ; and if more were desired, 1 have only to refer to a portion of to-day's letter. However, I can pass over, while I regret, his style of reply, believing that the writer has found it convenient to assume a very erroneous impression as to the motives of your correspondent. Afraid, evidently, of hurting Dr Lindsay's feelings, Professor Black desires that I should undertake the duty of compelling him to " substitute an improved estimate of tho status of our University for the one which Are reject." Does Professor Black reject Dr Lindsay's estimate ? or am I wrong in thinking that he doss not, and therefore cannot find it in his heart to correct him. "Wheii the Professor or authorities shall have failed to do their duty, then it will be time enough for an outsider like myself to transmit by the next, or any other mail, " a refutation of Dr Lindsay's allegations." I have little doubt, however, that the Council of the University will perceive the real tendency of Dr Lindsay's writings, and act in a manner becoming its own dignity and the interests confided to its care. In conclusion, I venture to give the Professor a hint that he who decries sneering in another, should be the last to resort to such a weapon himself. I trust that in his own " ample leisure" he will correct a fault so manifest in his curiously involved, and somewhat inconsequential, letter. - 1 am, &<=•> ________ iL D"