THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8794, 2 May 1890, Page 3

THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO.

INAUGURAL LECTURE.

The sessiou for the present year of the University of Otago was inaugurated lust evening by a leoturo on " The Development of Euglish Literature," which was delivered by Professor Gilrny, the new professor of English

Language aud.Lilerature. Tho^chancellor of the university (tho Rev. Dr Stuart) occupied tho chair, nud the following c.entlemen were also accommodated with seats on tha platform :— Professors Gilray, Sale, Sbaud. Scott, Salmond, Parker, and Gibbons, Drs John Maedonald, De Zoucbe, Robt-rts, Oolquhoun, and Bulau, Keys. Dr Watt, Dr Dimlop, W. Will, J. Gibb, J. M. Sutherland, A. P. Davidson, and A. Cameron, the mayor (Mr Jobu UobtvtsJ, Messrs Allan Holmes, W. D. Stewart, M.H.U, 1. Allen, M.H.K.. E. B. Cargill. A. Wilson, W. A. Stout, A. R. Barclay, W. S. Fitzgerald, and H. P. Hardy. Among those who were Bested in the body ot1 the hall were Profe3sor Black, Revs. J. H. M'Kerrow, A. Greig, and B. Lichtensteiu, Mr W. Barren, M.H.K, and others. The students, who were massed at the back of tho hall, indulged in tha usual amount of boisterous fuu beforo the proceedings commenced, but thereafter wcro exceptionally and commendably quiet, although libetal in their bestowal of applause when they deemed it to bo merited. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, aaid: Friends, I have received apologies for their non-attendanco from the rector of the Boys' High School, Archdeacon Edwards, the Keys. Rutherford Waddell, R. R. M Sutherland, W. Bannermau, and David Borrie. These gentlemen have assured me that they regret very much their inability to be present this evening. Gentlemen, I have groat pleasure in welcoming you back to tho delights and duties of the session—(" Oh I "),—but lam specially glad to be able to congratulate so many of you on your success in the graduation examinations.— ("Oh!") I am pleased that co goodly a number obtained the degree and ai many more passed the first section of tho degree. Pardon roo if I refer to a shadow on this fair scene—l mean the fact that only one Otago name is in the first honour class—("Oh!"),—and only one in the second honour class, and specially to the ab-eneo of a representative from our university in the senior scholarship list.—(" Oh.") It ia some compensation that scfen of onr students have a place in tho third honours class. What is tho cause of our position in the first and second class, and in the senior scholarship list? Some connect it with the lack of generous enthusiasm on the part of our ptofesaors and students. This, I am sure, is not the full explanation. Others say that some of cur students carry on their studies while prosecuting their professional work, but others find the explanation in tho largo percentage who shrink from the hird work which first aud second honour* entail; and regulation hours will keep you from sinking, but I beg to tell you that they will never raise you to the stars. In order to reach the position I deem satisfactory two things are needsd—harder work by the students, and a heartier sympathy by the teachers.—(Applause.) With the view of iucreasiog your educational advantages, the council aud the professorial board have agreed on tho following changes commencing with session of 1891: —The sessions in medicine are not to bo altered —winter sessions six months, from beginning of May to end of October; summer session tbreo months, from beginning of December to end of February. Tho session in arts, law, and mines begins on first Wednesday in April, and ends at tho close of October, with a vacation of threu weeks in tha middle of the session. I have very gre^-.t pleasure in announcing that through tho liberality of the Government, the council of the universitj' is iv a position to proceed with the appointment of a lecturer on mntallargy aud assaying to the school of mines.—(Applause.) I am confident if we obtain a competent lecturer tint an impulse will be giveu to tho school of mines which will tell in ooauy directions on the colony.—(Renewed applaiHO.) The law school of the university has for some time eugaged the earnest attention alike of the council and the Law Society. From the latter came the suggestion that there are competent graduates who would be will ng to give instruction in certain branches of law if they were appointed lecturers. A committee of the council, of which Mr Justice William* was chairman, after conferenca with the authorities of the Law Society, recommended that the council should establish a lectureship on the Law of Property and another on Constitutional Law. After advertising for candidates, the choice of the council fell on Mr A. R. Barclay, B.A. andLL.B.—(applause)—for Constitutional Law, and on Mr William Stout, BA. and LL.B.—(applause)—for the Law of Property. In the case of these lectureships the council decided that three lectures a weelt for the session of six months should constitute a full course in the faculty of law. This is n 6tep forward which may prove the revival of a custom which at one time prevailed in the Scottish universities, and which I understand is now in full swicg in some of the groat universities of Continental Europe. I feel bound to fay that our unpaid lecturers are rendering most valuable services to the university. Jt had cherished the hope that the council would have been able to attach to Dr Lindo Ferguson's lectureship a sum which would indicate their appreciation of hi 3 services— (applause) — and in due course to the other unpaid lectureships—the res angusta of the establishment have Bhut us up to the course which wa follow, and not forgetfulnessof the sacred principle that the labourer is worthy of his hire. I fondly hopo the good time coming will place the council in funds to meet every fair demand. English bad always a place in the curriculum of the university. For some years it was associated with Latin and Greek, and was under the charge of Professor Sale. After a time the Presbyterian Synod established a chair of English Language and Literature, but' attached to ib Constitutional. History and Political Economy. The late Professor Brown held it and discharged it 3 duties most creditably.—(Applause.) When it became vacant through his death, the synod by an unanimous vote took away Constitutional History and Political Economy, leaving it with only English Languageand Literature. The appointment of Mr Halkett-Dawson, M.A.—(laughter), —for the session of 1889 proved very satisfactory.— (Loud laughter.) Tho arrangement of tho synod and church trustees tor permanently filling th« chair resulted in the election of Mr Gilray, H A. —(loud applause),—from a striking list ot 50 candidates. Professor Gilray is in no sense an inexperienced man; for besides teaching English for a time in two of the largest secondary schools in Scot'and and acting as assistant for several sessions to Professor Masson, of Edinburgh University, he discharged with success for seven years the duties of the chair of English in the University College, Dundee. —(Applause.) I have the sincerest pleasure in introducing Professor Gilray to you, aud asking for him your earnest attention while ■ addressing us on " The Development of English Literature."—(Applause.)

Professor Gileay, wo waa received with cordiality, then delivered a lecture on " Tho Development of English Literature," whiob, owing to its lenglb, we are obliged to held over until Sftnrday. He was frequently applauded, and nt its conclusion the students resumed cheerinz, and sang " He's a jolly good fellow." His Woeship theMatou (Mr John Robert?) said: Mr Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen,—l have been asked to propose a voto of thanks to Prof essor Gilray for his address. I had expected to begin my task some time near 10 o'clock, as it has been the habit heretofore to make these lectures somewhat long. I confess I am entirely in sympathy with Professor Gilray that the shorter, more concise, arid the sharper an address of this sort ia the better. Professor Gilray, as you know, is a stranger amongst us, and I think it is perhaps as well on an occasion of this sort that we should convey to him an assurance of moral support;, and assure him that as far as we can we shall do everything in our power to make the important faslc he has before him successful. However, you did not come to hear any address of mine, and perhaps I shall be studying your convenience and the convenience of all present if I content myself with moviog a very hearty vote of thanks to Professor Gilray for his address, and express ths hops that he will be successful to the utmost extent in the new sphere of labours on which he has now entered.

Mr J. Allen, M.H.R., said: Mr Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen, —It is with very great pleasure I rise to second the vole of thanks proposed by Mr Roberts to Professor Gili-Ay. I think we all recognise in this colony that nearly everybody, from the youngest to tho oldest, has a very keen desire to know all that they can of English language^ aud literature, and I feel quite sure that Professor Gilray's presence here will enable na to fulfil that desire which is so keenly felt. Professor Gilray, I am satisfied, can need no further assurance than that given by the reception he has had here that ho will bo met in a sympathetic way by his students. It is qnite evident from his address that he not ouly possesses the modesty, but that natural amount of assurance which h necessary to Buccess, and I feel sure he will ba successful, and that his students will help him to be so.—(Applause.) The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.

Professor Gilrat said: Ladies aud gentlemen—and I address myself specially to the students of the university,—l am very mnch indf.hted to you indeed for the bind reception which you have given me. It affords mo great encouragement to go on with my work here. I am very much indebted to you for the kind reception you have given me on this occasion. The Rsv. Dr Stdabt said : Students, I have alwiys stood by you—(applause)—and I have always assured my friends that the day was fast coming on when you could bthava yourselves.— (Laughter and applause.) You have greatly delighted me this evening, and I look upon this as an augury of your conduct to the furthest generations. The business is now over.

The assemblage then dispersed.

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The evening train to Orepuki, on the 23rd. ran into a mob of horses, killing two, The previous ni s ht a pow was killed iv the same manuer.