OTAGO UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7782, 28 January 1887, Page 3

OTAGO UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Otago University Council was held yesterday, and was attended by the Chancellor (the Rev. Dr Stuart), Drs Hocken aud Burns, Messrs J. Macandrew and J. Fulton, M.H.R'd, R. L. Stanford, E. B. Cargill, and G. G. Russell. NEW MEMBER. The Chancellor congratulated the council on the fact of Mr G. G. Russell taking his scat at the council table. He said that he was sure from the great interest he had taken in a number of other matters during his long connection with the colony, they would be greatly benefited by his advice. Mr Russell thanked the chancellor for his kindly remarks. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr J. Macandrhw gave notice that at the next meeting of the council he would move the following motion:—(1) "That in the opinion of this council the affiliation of the Otago University to the University of New Zealand was a mistake, one of the results of which has been to discourage well-to-do settlers from granting endowments to the Otago University. (2) That in the interests of higher education it is expedient that the Ofcago University should resume its position as embodied in tho statute under which it was originally constituted. (3) That application be again made for an Imperial Charter under which the degrees of the Otago University would be recognised throughout the empire." CORRESPONDENCE. > A letter was read from Professors Parker aud Scott pointing out that, owing to the large increase in the number of students, it was necessary, in order to avoid the continual removal of microscopes from the university to the museum, to secure a further supply at a cost of about £60. They suggested that students joining the classes at the museum should pay 5s each, which sum i could be set apart as a microscope fund to re- ' coup the council for the outlay. Professor Parker also requested that six dissecting micro- | scopes be supplied at a cost of about £12. —The applications were referred to the Finance Com- i mittee. An application from the Lawn Tennis Com- _ mittee to be allowed to proceed with the erection of a second court, the money to complete which they had collected, was referred to a committee to fix a site.

Professor Gibbons wrote accepting the position of professor of mathematics, to which he had

been appointed at the last meeting of the council.

A letter was read from Professor Parker in which he pointed out the necessity of securing additional accommodation for his biology class. He stated that as the basementof the university, which he had recommended on a former occasion as suitable, was not well lighted, it might be desirable to erect a wooden building in the museum reserve. Ho also asked that £20 be expended in the purchase of botanical models and diagrams. He further expressed a hope that action would be takeu to induce the corporation to set apart a section of the Botanical Gardens in which a collection might be made of typical plants required for the course of botany.—That portion of the letter referring to additional accomodation was referred to the Museum Committee, and that portion referring to the purchase of botanical models and diagrams to tho Finance Committee.

Professor Parker wrote suggesting that the Museum Committee should reconsider their decision to dispense with the services of Mr Bone. As from the nature of his duties it would be necessary to secure the services of another man to do the work for at least six months of the year, little or no saving would be made.—After considerable discussion it was decided to adLere to the former decision, as it was absolutely necessary to carry out retrenchment. SCHOOL OF MINES. The Chancellor said that last year they had applied for a continuance of the subsidy of £500 by the Government to the School of Mines. The sum had been voted, and it was now necessary to consider what steps should be taken to complete the school according to tho promise they had made to the Government. It would be necessary to complete the school, to appoint a lecturer on practical mechanics, and probably they could again secure the services of Mr Watt. The other subjects necessary were mining, surveying, and geology. Mr R. L. Stanford said he'did not think that the council had given a pledge to complete the school as a condition of their receiving the subsidy. The Chancellor said it was his impression that they had. It was decided to refer the question to the Committee of the School of Mines for a report. GENERAL. Committees were appointed as follows:— Finance—Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Messrs G. G. Russell, Stanford, and Roberts. Endowments— Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Messrs M'Lean, Fulton, and Roberts. Medical School—Drs Hocken and Burns and Mr Russell. Mining School—Hon. W.H. Reynolds, Dr Hocken, Messrs Macandrew, I Fulton, and Stanford. Museum —Drs Burns and Hocken, and Mr Stanford.

The Chancellor intimated that he had received iutimation that they would have to pay the sum of £79 as taxes on the University Council to the corporation.—The matter was referred to the Finance Committee.