THE DAILY OTAGO TIMES. THURSDAY, MAY 1, XS9O.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8793, 1 May 1890, Page 2

THE DAILY OTAGO TIMES. THURSDAY, MAY 1, XS9O.

The inaugural lecture to-night marks the beginning of the University session. The event is one of annual and increasing interest. On each occasion in recent years the lecture has been delivered by a gentleman who in the academical regard may be said to make his debut. The practice of asking a professor, without much option of refusal, to come forward and play the part of target for the missiles of ebullient youth is one that lies open to many grave objections. He is placed on the edge of a platform, with his great gods grouped behind him and his own devotees in front. Here he stands, while Homeric laughter bellows immediately around, and weapons of offence reach him from afar. Mean' while he gets through a composition which, for thought and power, may leave nothing to be desired, but for audibleness i 3 generally inoperative. Perhaps he is man of the world enough to pay little .heed to the demonstration. If, as is often the case, lie comes from a Scotch university, he has doubtless assisted at noisier, because more crowded, scenes. He may bear in mind what happened when Dr Bain, as Lord Hector, read his inaugural lecture, we believe at St. Andrews, He

may reflect that Dr Bain is a very great man, and that a Scotch student on the warpath is highly coloured in comparison of his pale Otago imitator. In any case the influence on his mind will, if lie is of philosophic turn, evaporate with the last howl of the noisiest student. Ho recalls, possibly, what a lot of Yahoo still remains inherent notwithstanding standard and syllabus. Professor Gilray, who opens this evening, has our heartiest sympathies, and we wish him well through a scene which if it fails to agitate his temper will certainly test his nerve. Perhaps the members of the Council of the Otago University in attendance may be hard up for a topic on which to enlarge, when they care to play their part. We offer them a few remarks on a point to which extended reference was made in this paper on June 12 last. The University class lists have just been issued. They arc both instructive and suggestive. Dealing only with honours and scholarships, wo notice the following facts bearing upon the comparative success of candidates from Otago and from Canterbury. The M. A. degree is prac* tically an honours degree. From Canterbury and from Otago 17 have succeeded: of the failures we hear nothing. The 17 are distributed thus:—

Canterbury. . Otago. First class ... 5 First clasa ... 1 Second class ... 3 Second class ... 1 Third clasa ... 0 Third class ... 7 The third-class candidates in honours examination are usually much to be pitied. If they have not made the attempt, their friends and admirers may at least surmise that if they make the attempt distinguished success awaited their efforts; but having made the attempt, the vast possibilities of conjecture are no longer scope for indulgence. Otago has on this occasion a larger proportion of wooden spoons than it is pleasant to contemplate. In the senior scholarship examinations Auckland is first with three, Canterbury with two, and Nelson with one; Otago nowhere. Of the Auckland scholars Miss Gilford was educated at the Otago Girls' High School up to her taking a junior university scholarship, after which time she worked in Auckland. Since 1884 Otago has won five of these scholarships, while Canterbury has secured 15. Of the successful senior scholarships just elected three were successful as junior university scholars in 1886, when an Otago candidate headed the list. Let our attention now be turned to the record of Otago in the matter of junior university scholars during the same period. Since 1884 Canterbury has secured 15 out of 44 junior scholarships; while Otago takes 18. At this point then the record is reversed—Otago is first, with Canterbury just behind, a very respectable second. With such a very encouraging start, where is Otago at the finish ? This year's record furnishes a partial answer. Seven thirdclass degrees at the M.A. examination; no scholarships at the B.A. examination ! There is surely a screw loose somewhere — but how to find it 1 Is it that our young people have not the staying power of our neighbours north of the Waitaki; is it that Canterbury attracts a better class of student; is it that the colonial examination which determines the junior scholarships is not so searching and accurate as the Home examination which determines the senior scholarships and the final honours; is it that our local professors are not so careful or so proficient in teaching as their colleagues further north; is it that our students are drawn from a poorer class, and have for the most part little leisure for sustained study; is it that our local professors entertain a contempt for results and leave students largely to their own devices 1 All these reasons, or any of them may prevail, but for some reason the public have suffered and continues to suffer. Nothing is more certain than that power follows success. That none of our students takes a senior scholarship this year, and that they have won so few in recent years, is both a loss to learning in Otago itself and a sorrowful thing to note. It is not our direct concern to search out the causes ; we confess to a feeling of shame in having to call attention to the facts. The burden of failure lies on all alike: it lies on the students, who in ability and industry seem to compare ill with their neighbours; it lies on the professors, who seem to cull but scanty fruit "from their teaching; it lies on the council, who are surely something more than mere managers of reserves and dispensers of patronage! Every man will certainly entertain a hope that something may be done in the way of remedy. It is not reason that so able a body of men as that constituting our University College here cannot, if they will, discover some means of palliating if not of checking these failures, which by their repetition year after year cannot fail of doing serious mischief, and are seriously lowering the University in public estimation.

In our supplement this morning will bo fouud a report of the meeting held yesterday to initiate the movement for a public art gallery, and of tho meeting of the Hospital Trustees, with letters to the editor, our Australian and Auckland letters, and other matter.

The Takapuna is expected to reach Lyttolton this morning in time to connect with the express train to Dunedin, in which case the San Francisco mails will lie delivered here this evening.

The Minister of Lands has decided to allow village settlers 12 months' arrears of rent without deduction being made from payments coming to them. This is an act of grace to aid the settlers in the meantime to surmount their present difficulties.

The Wharf Labourers' Conference resumed its sitting yesterday, aud continued consideration of the working rules of the union. Mr D_ V. Fisher has left for Wellington to attend the meeting of the Maritime Couucil, which meets in that city on Monday.

A meeting of members of the Tramways Employes' Union was held in tho Aihenraum Hall on Tuesday night, about 50 persons beiDg present. Mr Slater occupied the chair, and read a letter of apology for non-attendance from the Rev. 11. Waddell, who is at present engaged in Wellington. Mr J, A. Miller gave an interesting address on tho subject of trades unionism, pointing out tho advantages to bo derived from united effort if rightly directed. Ho stated that a conference would shortly be held in Dunedin, representing upwards of 240,000 men. Mr Seymour, formerly secretary of the Wellington Trades aud Labour Couucil, and Mr D. V. Fisher, present secretary of that body, also gave instructive addresses on the same subject, their remarks being received with much favour. Mr ffm, Hutchison also addressed the meeting, pointing out that there was reason to be gratified at the strides made by labour throughout the world of late years. He concluded by moving a vote of thanks to those who had addressed the ineetiug, which was carried by acclamation.

Tho North Otago Times states that a young man who left Oaruaru rather hurriedly a short time ago hns been arrested in Melbourne on a warrant issued for bis apprehension. His financial affairs aro not quite as satisfactory as they might have been.

At tho meriting held in the Town Hull yesterday afternoon to take steps to acquire Waterlow's picture, "Sunny Hours," over £130 was subscribed in the room, aud from tho enthusiasm exhibited thorn is no doubt but thut tho required sum will bo raised, and probably enough to purcii.'sa one or two other pictures. A meeting of tli'i committee was subsequently held, and subscription lists were distributed. We are requested to intimate that the committed will meet this afternoon in the Town Hall to report progress. As the time at the disposal of the committee U short and an exhaustive canvass canuot bo made before tho pictures must bo taken down to be packed, anyone desirous of subscribing will lessen the labours of the committeo if they will send their subscriptions to us or any member of committee.

A deputation from tho West Harbour district, consisting of tho mayor (Mr Wni. Barclay), Messrs Robert Jack, T. Koso, D. Ferguson, and R. M'Culloch, waited on the district trafGo manager (Mr W. H. Qaw) yesterday, and laid before him in writing their objection to any alteration being made in tho present time-table on the Dunedin-Port Chalmers railway. They urged that residents, other than property holders, would not live in the suburb unless it was for the easy facilities of getting to and from the city by train, aud in the interests of the Kaifeay department, which were identical with those of the owners of property in West Harbour, instead of curtailing those facilities it wouU compensate the Railway dopartmentbetter ultimately if greater facilities for travelling were granted, as it would undoubtedly lead to an incr. ase of settlement. It was also stated that it appeared to bo the general feeling in tho district—and such an opinion was expressed at a public meeting on Tuesday night—that the present timo-table was very suitable, but what was deprecated very strongly was the proposal to leave the residents without a train between 6.15 p.m. and 10 p.in, This long interval in ths running of the trains was found very inconvenient in many ways. Mr Gaw listened attentively to the arguments of the deputation, after which he promised to lay the matter before the I Railway Commissioners.

There waa a crowded attendance at St. Martin's schoolroom in North-East Valley last evening, when a concert in aid of the church fund was given. The Rev. B. M. King presided. Various selections were contributed by Misses Pyrke, Favell, Graham, and Brown, Mr Springer, Mr Wathen, and Mr Campbell—most of them being encored. Miss Pyrke made aa efficient accompanist.

In the preliminary medical examination at the University of Otago, thrae candidates—J. M'Brearty, J. A. T. Bell, and J. M'llroy— pnssed in the compulsory subjects, and are thus entitled to register as students in the medical school. The following candidates passed in optional subjects:—J. A. T. Bell aud J. M'llroy, in French; F. Fitchett, W. Wilford, aud J. M'llroy, in logic; and F. Fitchett and C. M. Hector, in Greek. The Education Board exhibitions have been obtained by Miss Mary A, Sinclair and Mr J. Porteous.

Tho manager of the Bauk of New South Wales yesterday received a cablegram intimating that at tho half-yearly meeting of the proprietors, held at Sydney, tho usual dividend of 15 per cent, and bonus of 2\ per cent., equal to 17-J per ceut. per annum was declared, and £10,000 added to tho reserve fund, which now stinds at £959,0C0.

The vital statistics for the month of April ara as follows:—Births, 117; deaths, 64; marriages, 35. For the purpose of an interesting comparison it is customary for us to give the statistics for the corresponding month of the previous year, but with this information the clerk in tho Registry Office would not supply our reporter yesterday.

We have been asked to publish the particulars of the voting which took place at the election of tho Palmerston School Committee, and which was aa follows:—J. C. Scott, 181 (59 voters); W. Robertson, 162 (54 voters); James Arkle, 160 (47 voters); John M'Donald, 134 (43 voters); Robert Steel, 125 (41 voters); Alex. Gilmour, 119 (37 voters); William Chapman, 93 (29 voters); Thomas Muir, 60 (27 voters) • James Kitchen, 90 (35 voters); William Paul' 24 (10 voters). Tho first seven were elected, all of them with the exceptiou of Mr Chapman having been members of the old committee. We have also been asked to say that a hearty vote of thanks was given to the chairman for the manner in which ho had conducted the proceedings. _ Mr J. F. Herbert (of Ardmore, Kelso) and Mr Cunningham (manager of Moa Flat station), who havo been in Dunedin for the past day or two on business connected with the establishment of a rabbit-tinning factory at Heriot, have arranged with Mr John Roberts (Mr J. Clark's attorney) to call for tenders for the erection of tha factory. It will be about the same size as the well-known Poraberneite Factory, between Colac and Camperdown, Victoria, and will be capable of tinning about 10,000 rabbits per day. The promoters of the factory anticipate that they will put through about 7000 rabbits per day during six months of the year.

A conversazione to welcome the Rev. A. P. Davidsou will be held In the Garrison Hall on Friday eveuing.

The monthly meeting of the Dunedin branch oi tho Educational Institute will bs held on Saturday. Notice is giveu by Messrs James A. Park and Co. tlvit their sale of pictures is postponed until Friday, 9th May.

Messrs James W. Wilson and Co. will aell at Balclutha on Friday, sheep, cattle, and Implements. Messrs Wright, Stephemon, and Co. will scllgrain, butter, cheese, &c. to-day. Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell drapery, clothing, and fancy goodß to-day.

Mr O. M. Bpeddlng will sell on Friday new Akaroa walnuts, at rooms ; and in the exhibition buildingß, the fittings and floors of bay s in the Southland court. Messrs IS, 0. Reynolds and Co. will Bell on the 6th inst. pianos which took first awards at the exhibition.

Notices appear in another column ragarding the classes at the university of Professor Gilray, aud the law lectures.

Tho annual licensing mooting for the Portobello district will be held on the 6th June.

A meeting of those wishing to join the proposed new choral society will beheld on Friday evening, in the Y.W.C.A. Rooms.

The who'e of the exhibition buildings, with furniture aud furnishings, flagpoles, piping, &o , will be sold on tho 14th and 15th inst. by Messrs James A. Park arnl^o.. tiding in conjunction with Messrs K. C. Reynolds aud Co. and James Samson aud Co.

In order to have good spring flowers the bulbs should be planted at once. The largest collection obtainable at Geohgk Matthews', Moray place.— [Anvr.]

Fish and Oystshs! !!—The undersigned are prepnred to supply Stewart Island oysters in any quantity .it ten shillings per sack at" the Bluff.—Urwin axd Co., Bluff Harbour.—[Advt.l

The "Purity" Cigarettes have taken highest award at Exhibition.-[ADVT.]

We advise visitors to bo photographed by Eden George, as his are the best photos in Dunedin.— [Advt.]

Public Caution. — Ginskr Ale — University Laboratory, Dunedin, 12tli August ISSS.—I her.sby certify that I have analysed Thomson and Co.'s Ginger Alo, and find the same to be of excellent quality, comparing very favourably with the beat imported brands of similar beverages; tho ingredients are pure Jamaica Ginger, finest Cane Sugar, Carbonic Acid, and flavouring of various fruits. All the ingredients are of a very pure quality, and are skilfully blended, with the result of producing a very wholesome and refreshing beverage, containing not i» trace of alcohol.—l am, 4c, (signed) James Q. Black, Professor of Ohemisty and Colonial Analyst. All our goods are labelled " White Cross Brand."— Thomson & Co., Crawford street.—[Advt.]

Barry s Tricopbehqus tor the Hair.-The first journals in the world, medical men of the highest eminence, prominent citizens of all professions, and ladies who have used it for years in their dressing rooms and nurseries, admitwith one accord tbat for imparting vigour, gloss, luxuriance and curl to tho hnir, eradicating scurf aud daudruff, Harry's Tricophcrous has no equal. 12