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Otago Daily Times, Issue 12601, 3 March 1903, Page 5

■■-■ THE UNIVERSITY SENATE. With the session that was concluded at Cliristehurcb last week the existing Senate of the Ouiversity of New Zealand has practically brought its career to a close. All .hat remains for it to do before its dissolution is effected in terms of the Act of Parliament Jiat was passed last year is for it to sit and consider the reports of the English examiners upon the work of the candidates who presented themselves at the examinations in November last. But Us functions in that respect will be purely administrative. As a legis(lative body the Senate, as at present formed, has met for the last tijne.. That, on the eve of a change in its constitution and probably also of a considerable alteration in its composition, the Senate should not have decided upon any startling innovations is not surprising. But the proceedings nt the recent session were not without interest, apart altogether from thn.t which attaches to the final acts of a body that has distinctly, during the course of its existence, rendered excellent service to the community.- The most important resolution adopted by. the Senate at Christchurch was one which introduces an amendment of some magnitude iu the junior scholarship regulations. At the presenttime junior scholnrs are, as n condition of holding their scholarship, required at the end of their second year after matriculation to pass in one section of the examination for Ae degree of Bachelor of Arts or for the ordinary degree of- Bachelor of Science. The ■Senate.has resolved, however, that for.

the future the junior scholars shall not be restricted, as hitherto, to.what was practically an arts obur.se. Professor F. D. Brown, of Auclpnd, led the movement for removing the restriction that the regulations imposed upon the career of these scholars, and an animated discussion—which, as the matter was considered in emimittee, was unfortunately not reported—took place upon his proposal to repeal the old condition, the result being that, on the suggestion, wo believe, of Professor Sale, the motion submitted by Professor Brown was modified in such a way as to provide that any junior scholars may, by permission of the Chancellor, enter upon a course of study in medicine, law, or engineering, and shall, as a condition of receiving the emoluments of the scholarship, furnish to the Chancellor sufficient proof that they have advanced in their professional studies, and have passed regularly the several examinations required of them in their professional course. It will thus be open for a- junior scholar in future to enter directly, when he joins the University, upon a medical, lepcnl. or purely scientific course. The reform which this amendment of the regulations will bring about is regarded by some experienced members of the Senate with a certain amount of misgiving; but only a small minority, strongly opposed it, and the feeling that it represents a marked advance will receive a great deal of sympathy outside academic circles. Next in importance, probably, to the step upon which the Senate resolved in this regard .was its determination, upon the motion of Sir Maurice O'Rorke, to apply to the Government for a grant of £2500 to each of the four affiliated institutions! for the purpose of enabling thc-m to.erect dormitories and dining halls in the collegegrounds. The desirability of the establishment of a residential system in-con-nection with the University Colleges will, it may be presumed, be generally admitted, but there is room for doubt as to whether there ave not mors pressing needs. In the ease, certainly, of the University of Otago, as the public of this portion of the colouy must by this time be perfectly well aware, there are extensions required of a more urgent kind than that which Sir Maurice O'Rorke desires. Moreover, it is to be feared that, if the provision of residential buildings were admitted to he the most important addition that can be made to the colleges, a grant of the amount specified in the resolution would be far from adequate for the purpose for which it is sought. We need only mention, further, in connection with the Mepnt. session of the Senate, a dignified and admirable addtess in which Sir James Hector, the Chancellor of the University, sketched the history of the institution and of the Senate. Sir James Hector, who announced that he did net intend to proffer his services to the new Senate— a decision which it may be hoped he will yet reconsider—and Dr Grace are the only surviving members of the original Senate, or Council, as it was then called, which sat in 1870, and there have altogether been 44 persons appointed members of the Senate, the majority of whom have passed away. Fortunately, as or;e after another of those wao laid the foundations of the University and instituted its policy have dropped out of the ranks, able men have been found to take their places, and the work of the Senate has been carried on efficiently, and on tne whole progressively, right up to the present time. It is only fitting that this should he publicly acknowledged now that the Senate is itself passing out of eKistence in its present form. The Senate that will be constituted under the'legislation of 1902 will deserve well of t'ue public if it proves to be as alive to the requirements of the colony in the matter of University education as .he body to which it will succeed has shown itself to be.

Last woek 43 cases of scarlet fover were reported to the District Health Officer. Of this number 22 were in the country and 21 in the city and suburbs. During February three cases of enteric fevnr wore reported— two in the city and one. in the country. Thomas Ramsay and John Cairns, the two men charged with tho recent assault and robbery on the reclaimed land, were brought before Mr Graham, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday, when a, quantity of evidence was produced by Mr Frnser for the proseoution; Mr Hanlon and Mr. Irwin appearing for the defence. Further hearing of the case was adjourned till Wednesday. The court was inconveniently crowded by an interested audience. Mr Justice Williams wont south yestorday morning to take the criminal business at Invercargill. The most serious ea3e is that in which Dr Fullarton is charged with using an instrument foi an illegal purpose. His Hoßor will also hear the civil cases, ami as there are several on tho list it :s expected that his Honor will bo absent for a fortnight or so. On his return ho will leave for the Court of Appeal sittings in Wellington. ,lt is not probable that a sitting of the court will be held in Lnnedin until well on in April, though special business may be transacted before the Registrar (Mr G. A. King). The proposed trip of members of tho Now Zealand .Parliament to tho Pacific Islands in April is likely to bo a success, aud is being well patronised. It is not overy day that one gets a chauce of having a pleaeant holiday cruise at the expense of tho nation, ond legislators arc not slow to avail themselves of the " treat." Already 23 " Commoners" and seven "Lords" have signified thoir intention of going, and have accepted with thanks the Premier's kind invitation. The parly will make a very complete trip, and will visit Rarotonga, Mangaia, Tahiti, Ponvtiyn, Suwarrow, Savage Islands, Tongattibu, Tutuila, Levuka, and the Kermndec;. Tlie exact and complete itinerary has not yst, however, been definitely settled. Tho French Consul (Ic Comte do Courtc) has informed Mr Scddon that he r.as informed tho French Governor of Tahiti of tho proposed visit, and that it will give that gentleman great pleasure- to receive such distinguished visitors. Mr Claude A. Macdonald, of tho Alpine Club, London, who was in Dunediu last week, made two attempts on Mount Cook) when ho was in that district lately. One of the ascents would, ho is confident, have been successful if (he weather had not been unfavourable. The first attempt wns made from the Hooker Glacier, but, when Mr Maodonald had reached the roclts of Mount Cook leading to the saddle adjoining Mount Hector, first fog and then heavy rain camo on, aud aft<?r waiting a considerable time, aa the weathor got worse, ho decided to veturn. The aneroid showed 9600 ft. Mr Macdonald and tho guide (,T. Clarice) found the ice fall on the return journey in a frightful condition and only just payable, end within 21 houn of their passage it was cksed for the year. A week lntur Mr Macdonald made an attempt upon tho north-eaEt arete of Mount Cook, but after reaching the foot of it at 5 a.m. on the 22nd ult.. he found tho snow in powdery nvalanchy condition, and the rocks very bad, necessitating; extreme care, and at 9950 ft he calculated that at the pace they were going they should not reach the summit till 6 p.m., and. should Imvo to camp out on the shoulder, and as the mountain wae in a very clangorous con-

' dition for descending lie reluctantly gave the word for retreat. Mr Macdonald promises himself another attempt in some- future season, A meeting of the Otago Patriotic Fund Committee, held yesterday, was attended by his "Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Mcssr3 Glendining, Hosking, Speight, Hazlctt, Kcmpthornc, and 0. P.. Smith (secretary). It was decided to close tho fund about the beginning of May, and that any case not brought before the committee by that date be not considered. A meeting of the General Committee of the floral fete to be held in aid of tho Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, held yesterday, was attended by his Worship the Mayor, Cr Scott, Messrs C. Snoiglit. J. H. Every, Leslie Harris, J. P. Smith, J. S. Hislop, F. H. Campbell, W. Scott, H. Shrimpton, W. Mills, G. Simpson, J. Mollison, W. J. Strong, F. E. Evittain, W. Wills, C. George, H. 0. Ciimpbell, and C. R. Smith. The following were elected an Executive Committoo:.—The Mayor of Duncdin (chairman), MessM Speight, Hutchison, Harris, Shrimpton, Brittain, Simpson, Kirby, Burlimon, Mollison, Wills, and C. E. Smith. Special sub-committees wero set up to deal with tho programme of competition:) and sports, finance, ground arrangements, judges, and music. It was decided to call a special meeting of ladies for Thursday afternoon, in the Town Hall, to set up ladios' committees. Messrs J. Rogers, A. E. Cutler, and L. E. Reynolds, tho engineers selected to report for the Drainage Board on Mr J. T. Noble Anderson's Eeheme of drainage for Dunedin and district, have commenced their investigations. Our Naseby correspondent writes:—The weather in Ccnlral Ofago Ims lattorly been simply magnificent. There- is every prospect of an abundant, though late, harvest. The dates of the sittings ot the Assessment Court for tho City of Dimec'in and surrounding borough*! uve now fixed. For the city tho co:;tfc will sit at 10 a.m". on Monday, 30th inst. The sitting for Caversham, South Dune-din, and fit. Kilda. will bo hold on Tuesday, 31st inst., and for Mornington, Roslyn, Maori Hill, and NorthEast Valley on Wednesday, April 1. Mr D. A. Dβ Mans, J.P., sat at the Port Chalmers Police Court yostorday, and convicted and discharged a iirst offender charged with drunkenness, Three reoent arrivals from Sydney of the undesirable class, named John Brown, Samuel Banson, and Angus M'Quinn, were charged by Constable BcsH'ortli with soliciting alms on Sunday. They pleaded " Guilty," and, promising lo leave tlio (own, were convicted and discharged. The first appearance in public of the Woodlmugh Brass Band will tako place at a concert to be given to-morrow evening in the George Street School Uymnnsium Hall. A dance is to follow, to which ladies will bo admitted free, nut they should provide baekcts. <» Aβ there has bsen a fall in flour owing to the new wheat coining on tho market, it will . bo soon from our advertising columns that the master bakers have tnken immediate advantage of it to reduce tho pricj of broad i& per ilh loaf, which is good news for tho consumer, A meeting of Indies vailing lo assist in organising tho floral folc, io bo hold in aid of the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Fund on the 23rd inst., will bo held at the Town Hull on Thursday afternoon. Messrs Donald Reid and Co. will hold ?, sale of sheep and a few cattle at Hyde saleyards on Saturday next. The annual meeting of the Dunedin and Suburban Reserves Conservation Society will be held in the Town Hall on Friday afternoon. Dr Charles B. Snow notifies that he will apply to have his name piaced on the medical register of the colony. Owing to ths funeral of the late Captain Moss the 6.15. Torewai will not run tho trips in the afternoon to-day from Portobello at 3.25 and Port Chalmers at 4.20. Claims against the estate of the '.ate Alexander Neil, of Catlins, labourer, must b3 rendered to the Public Trn&lcc'e office. The W.iikoiiaiti County clerk notifies that all rates unpaid after Mutch 20 will be liable to a further charge o[ IO per cent, interest. The Lako Counly Council invite α-pplicationa for the position of county engineer; also for tho position of treasurer, rate collector, etc. The Berwick Drainage Board invite tenders for raising portion of tho Henley to Berwick road. Tenders are invited for the purchase of the Golden Shore Drejlging Company's property at Waipori, comprising dredge, claim, etc. There is a tido in the affairs of trade which, taken at- its flood, lords on to money-saving. The time is now—tlio tido is the values. Visit Mnllisons for bargains.—Advt. Delightful shampooing, linirdressing, waving, singeing, etc., at Hendy's, 101 Princes street; finest saloons in the colony for ladies and gentlemen.—Advt. Carter's Great Summer Sale now on. Genuine bargains in (ill departments. Several important special job lots. Call early at Carter's Great Sale. — Aclvt. Infendinsr purchasers of jewellery or watches naturally wish to make a seleclipn from tb» newest and daintiest fjoode obtainable. G. and T. Young, 88 Prine»s street, have the largest and best selected stock in Dunedin, nntl give the host value.-Advt. Conquest's Cough Cordial is still the most reliable cough remedy in the market. One bottle will often effect a complele euro. All chemists' and storekeepers'; Is 6d per bottle.— Advt. Wno 13 Pster DrcK?-T!ie wast reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffeo Palnce, Moray place, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Adrt.