OXFORD UNIVERSITY AND THE COLONIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13251, 6 April 1905, Page 3

OXFORD UNIVERSITY AND THE COLONIES.

FOUNDATION OF A NEW CHAIR. (FiiOW OCR OIV.V CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, February 21. Some three months ago I was able to inform you of an offer made by Mr Alfred Beit to endow a chair of Colonial History in connection with ihe University of Oxford. On Tuesday last, Convocation unanimously approved the decree accepting this magnificent benefaction. It may be recalled that- Mr Beit proposed to make a contribution of £1310 a year for seven years for the following objects:—(l) For the maintenance of a resident professor of colonial history at. £900 per annum; (2) for assistant- lecturers on that- subject, £300 per annum: (3) £50 for an annual prize connected with the subject of "Imperial Citizenship" or somo subject connected with colonial history; (4) £50 yearly to the Bodleian Library for the purchase of books connected with the same subject. At 1 the end of seven years, if it was decided by a majority of the Hebdomadal Council that the professorship am) assistant lecturers had been justified, Mr Beit undertook to male© a permanent endowment yielding the same sum. One of the conditions laid down was the institution of an annual public lecture on the history of British dominions over the sei. The Provost, of Oriel |Dr Monro), on lielialf of Die Hebdomadal Council, introduced the decree to the house, and said that Mr Beit's bequest was the largest gift made to this .university or any other English university for a long time, thougli such uraificent gifts were not- uncommon in America. Great cave had been taken wita the construction of this scheme in endowing a professorship, lectureships, a prize, and providing a yearly grant to the Bodleian Library, and be was.sure that Convocation would very gladly accept this valuable gift. THio university owed.the greatest.gratitude to Mr Beit for his munificence, and Convocation might hope it would lead to 'other similar gifts, cither to or to othek universities in England. Tiigro was,

not .only to be a professor ot colonial history, but there .wore to bo assistant' lecturers, and all recognised the value "of that addition to a professorship. There was also to be a prize, following tbe example of the university on other subjects,: and, finally, lie thought-one of tho most happy ideas Mb Beit had had was tho vcrj; considerable grant to t-lie Bodleian Library for the encouragement of the study of tho subject. . The Convocation foo bringing forward tho necessary decree was presided over by tho rice-chancellor (Dr Merry).

The decree was passed unanimously amid loud cheers, and next week'a statute will bo introduced for creating a Beit Professorship of Colonial History.