UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1973, 12 September 1889, Page 23

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the University Council whs held on Wednesday, and attended by Dr Stuart (Chancellor), Dr Hocken, Dr Burns, MeQsrs B. B. Cargili, K. L. Stanford, and J. Roberts.

Mr W. L. Simpson appeared to consult with the council with regard to mining operations on the Barewood run and the Mmeum reserve.

Mr Cargill reported that the 'committee appointed at last meeting to confer with Mr Simpson ha'i done so, and with the aid of the ""council's solicitor had drawn up a draft of a letter empowering Mr Simpson to act as the agent of the council in regard to the survey of claims on the Barewood run and other matters connected therewith.

Mr Stanford asked if the instructions to Mr Simpson were to get 2000 acres of the run surveyed, or to get the claims surveyed and then the 2000 acre^.

Mr Cargill replied that he waß to get the ground set apart for mining purposes surveyed, and then teach of the individual claims. He also stated that although the council were to pay for the surveys in the first instance, Mr Simpson was strongly of opinion that the applicants for claims shou'd afterwards pay for the survey of their claims. After some further conversation with regard to the matter, the letter was approved, and Mr Simpson was appointed as the agent of the council to look alter their mineral interests on the Barowood ruu and the Museum reserve.

An agreement between Mr Pogson (the holder of the Barewood run) and the council with regard to allowing persons to mine on the run was read and approved. The regulations for miners' licenses were read and discussed. One of these was to the effect that miners' licenses might be revoked at*any time by the council without making any compensation to claimholder* for the outlay made by them. Mr Stanford suggested that this regulation should be modified, and pointed out that it would be unfair to miners who might expend a large sum of money in plant. Mr Simpson said it would be as well to allow the regulation to stand at present. It could be revoked at auy time if found necessary. Some of the other regulations he did not think were absolutely necessary, but there were none that he could object to. The regulations as read were ultimately approved.

Mr John Cunningham wrote denying an accusation that had been made against him of jnmping somebody's claim on the barewood run.— The lttter was received.

Mr Koberfc M'Nab, hon. seoretary of the Professor Brown Memorial Committee, wrote as follows: — "For some time past the students and ex-sfcudenfcs of the uuiveraity have been raising a fund among themselves to erect a memorial tablet to the late Professor Brown. We are now in a position to go on with the work provided we obtain the requisite authority from your council. The tablet to be •erected is to be of brass and let into the wall in some portion of the building— possibly in the main staircase. Should you graut us the permission asked we will ba most happy to forward any details required to the council's architect."

The authority asked for was granted, subject to the chancellor's approval as to the position of the tablet.

The Finance Committee reported that there was a credit balance at the bank of £1619 7s 4d, and that accounts amounting to £753 2s 3d had been passed for payment. — Adopted. Dr Hocken drew the council's attention to the need of some other regulation being made with regard to the collection of university fees than that at present in force. He thought it would be better for •the registrar to collect students' fees rather than that the professors should do so. Mr Oargili, said some students allowed their fees fco run on so that they were two or three years in arrears. Mr Manßford: That is a somewhat exaggerated statement. Very few fees were lost except last year. Last year the loss came rather heavy. Mr Oargiu.: What do you mean by rather heavy ? Mr Mansford : That one or two did not pay. One student who attended the university last year and

did not pay is attending this year, and has never paid anything. The Chancellor suggested that a regulation should be made that students should hand in their certificate and pay their feeß to the professor within a fortnight of enrolment. Mr Mansford : I think the students would be only too thankful if a regulation was made. Some said they bad the money and spent it. Mr Cahgill : Should not the fees be paid before they enter the classes ?

The Chanoelxok : You muafc-make a little allowance for students, you know. Mr Cabgell : You are making an allowance the wrong way. You are allowing them to come to town and have a spree aud spend their money instead of paying their fees. The matter was ultimately referred to the registrar to draw up a regulation with regard to the payment of fees.