PHILATELY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2102, 7 June 1894, Page 33

PHILATELY.

By Old Stamp. * THE LONDON PHILATELIC SOCIETY. (Continued.) " Historicus," who is contributing the articles under this heading to the Stamp News, continues his narrative, from which the following and future extracts are made :—: — During tho first year the membership increased to a total of 35, and the membership subscription was increased from 6s to 10s, while the former figure was retained for lady members. The officers for the second year were as before, with the exception that Mr W. E. Hayns was elected secretary in place of Mr Atlee, who resigned. One of the first mysteries considered was the brown and pink or flesh-coloured 3d stamps of Sydney views. So little was known in those days of the varieties of various shades in stamps that there was much shaking of heads among the members, but after discussion it was generally accepted as correct that tbe so-called different shades were merely the ordinary olive green stamps that had accidentally changed colour. Sir Daniel Cooper, president at this meeting, initiated the system of reading papers od various subjects to tho members, and this system has probably laid the foundation to most of the information we now have of the stamps of all countries. Sir Daniel had passed many years of his life in Sydney, and was a member of the select committee of the Legislative Council of New South Wales which passed the act to establish a uniform rate of postage. He was therefore properly regarded as an authority on Sydney stamps, and consequently his paper on " The Early Sydney Stamps " was, for those days, a very able one, and he was heartily thanked for it. Even in those early days of the science the question of what album to use was a great bone of contention. The society was asked to undertake the work of designing a suitable one, but no conclusion was arrived at, and even after all these years the society is ns nearer the settlement of the question than it was 25 years ago. We have heard that of tho 250 members on the roll to-day no two members have adopted the same album pattern, and when spoken to on the subject they universally say they do not expect a really satisfactory and permanent album till the millennium. Did you ever, gentle reader, sit round the table at Effingham House (the headquarters of the society) on a •• Revision of the List" night, when each member produces his collection of the country under consideration P Some, it is said, after wiping the perspiration from their brows, lay upon the walnut table ponderous tomss that would dwarf the largest known family Bible ; others lay out in solemn array, separately, on a bit of clean blottiog paper, their priceless gems, because they are waiting in sure and certain hope for the permanent album. But no two are alike. Little talk was wasted on the question of forming branches of the society in various provincial towns, but it came to nothing, and the idea died a natural death. (To be continued.) Probably the most curious and ingenious signature on record is the one which was adopted by the engraver of the set of postage stamps issued for use in the kingdom of Naples in 1858. The series consisted of seven values— viz., £, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 grana (the value of a grano being about two-fifths of a penny). In the framework of the design on each stamp was. concealed a minute letter, and when the series was placed in the order of their ascending values these letters formed the namo "G. Masini." This seems an improvement on the combination cipher found in novels, as no fewer than seven stamps have to be arranged according to a fixed plan before the solution can be arrived at. The controversy of the day at Home— -which, although it cannot be called "raging," is nevertheless being carried on by philatelists with some spirit — is the question upon-which system the stamps of any country should be arranged in a collection. The older school advocate a strict chronological order of all stamps, without regard to values ; the newer school lay down as their rule that stamps of the same value should be placed together, without the interposition of other values, but that each value should be arranged in its own chronological order. So far as I can see, the theory of the chronologists is the stronger position ; that in practice, where the other system is applied to any single case, the supporters of the value arrangement have many arguments in their favour. A good deal has been said and rumonred both in America and England over a case where a Mr C. H. Mekeel, a large American dealer, was reported as being guilty of fraud in connection with the business. It went so far, report says, that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. I have refrained from mentioning the case before because I had not the details before me of the so-called fraud. This seems to be the position, and the Stamp News is my authority :—": — " It appears that postmasters in the United States are paid by results— that is, by the amount of postal matter disposed of at their office. Mr Mekeel wanting some used high value Columbian stamps, bought them at a certain post office and had them cancelled, and the postmaster afterwards shared his commission on the sale with Mr Mekeel. But who has been defrauded P Where does the fraud come in ? The Government have got their money, and whose business is it if the postmaster chooses to give away part of his salary ? If this all, Mr Mekeel is not the sort of man to submit tamely to this kind of thing ; so we' may expect some fun before he has done with the United States Post Office." A Mr T. Fenwick has placed before the Post-master-general a scheme for a registered letter stamp — value, say, £d — to be on sale at every post office, and of a very distinctive colour. It is not proposed this system shall set aside the present registered letter system. The proposal is that when letters are collected all letters bearing this special stamp shall be picked out by the sorters, and some extra attention and care bestowed on them. It is anticipated this £& stamp would realise an additional £750,000 a year, but the proposer does not give his grounds for forming this estimate.

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL. A meeting of. the University Council, held on Monday, was attended by Messrs R. L Stanford (in the chair), G. G. Russell, J. Allen, M.H.R., D. R. White, E. B. Cargill, Dr Hocken, Dr Burns, Sir Robert Stout, and the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. ELECTION OF CHANCELLOR. Mr Cargill, in accordance with notice of motion given at last meetirjg, moved — " That his Honor Mr Justice Williams be appointed Chancellor of the Otago University." He did not think it was necessary to say much in support of the motion, which, he believed, would be acceptable to the whole of the council. Mr Justice Williams had been vice-chancellor for some years, and had taken a very great interest in all the affairs of the university, and he (Mr Cargill) was sure he would fill the position in a manner creditable to himself, to the council, and to the university. Dr Hocken seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. ELECTION OF VICE-CHANCELLOR. Sir Robert Stout then proposed that Mr E. B. Cargill be elected vice-chancellor. Dr Burns seconded the proposal, but he waj a little disappointed that Sir Robert Stout would not accept the position. The proposal was carried unanimously. Mr Cargill said he could not do other than respond to the motion which they had passed by accepting the position, which he must say he did with a great deal of diffidence and hesitation. He joined in the regret that they had not been able to secure Sir Robert Stout for the position. From his large knowledge of educational matters and the keen interest he had taken in everything in connection with education he (Mr Cargill) thought Sir Robert would have been a fitting person to fill the office of vice-chancellor. However, -he would only say in accepting office that he appreciated highly the honour that had been conferred upon him, and he should endeavour to carry out his duties to the best of his ability, and he only hoped that any shortcomings would be dealt with very leniently. If he found that' he did not get on very well he should be glad to give place to some other member of the council who showed more aptitude for the position.— (Applause.) Mr Stanford then vacated the chair, which was taken by Mr Cargill. THE HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD. Dr Hocken moved — " That Mr James Allen, M.H.R., be elected to the Board of High School Governors, in the place of the late Dr Stuart, as one of the representatives of the council." Sir Robert Stout seconded the motion. Mr Stanford thought it was a mistake to appoint any one a member of the board who was also a member of Parliament. For three or four months in the year Mr Allen's duties would necessarily take him away from Dunedin ; and it was purely on public grounds that he would propose that Mr Cargill be the" council's representative on the High Schools Board. Sir Robert Stout hoped Mr Stanford would withdraw his amendment. Mr Allen would only be away from Dunedin for three months, and if there was anything special requiring his attendance at a meeting of the board he could come down from Wellington. Mr Russell thought it was a great advantage to have a member of the House as a representative on the board, as he could do a great deal of work in the House in their interests. Mr Allen said if he thought that his being away three months would be any detriment to the interests of the council he would not consent to be their representative on the board ; but it had been pointed out to him that it would be an advantage to them to have a representative who was a member of the House. After farther discussion Mr Stanford agreed to withdraw his amendment, and the appointment of Mr Allen was agreed to. ' FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Finance Committee reported that the bank book showed a credit balance of £1720 19s. Accounts amounting to £1541 17s 8d were passed for payment. The matter of Barewood run was still under consideration. The Vice-chancellor stated that the committee had agreed to make application to the Government to have the services of one of the survey staff placed at their disposal with the view of getting the run subdivided for re-letting without delay. The Registrar stated that applications had been received for 20,000 or 25,000 acres already. The applications were for areas varying from 1000 to 5000 acres. The report was adopted. PROFESSORS SALMOND AND GILBAY. A letter was 'received from the council's solicitors stating that Professors Salmond and Gilray were not qualified to vote for the election of a member to the council under the act of 1891, as they were not professors appointed by the council. Sir Robert Stout moved — "Whereas Professors Salmond and Gilray have been nominated by the Otago Presbyterian Church under the seventh section of the University of Otago Ordinance 1869, but have not been formally appointed by the council, resolved that the council do hereby appoint the said professors professors of this university, and they shall be deemed to have been appointed from the date of the receipt of the notice of their election by the Presbyterian Church." The motion was seconded by Dr Burns and agreed to. THE LATE CHANCELLOR'S BEQUESTS. Messrs E. Smith and W. Downie Stewart, executors of the will of the late Dr Stuart, wrote stating that the doctor bequeathed a sum of money and certain books to the University of Otago, and the will so far as it related to these was as follows :—": — " I bequeath to the University of Otago the sum of £100 to be paid to the council of such university, and invested by such council in such securities and in such manner as it may deem proper, and the income to arise from such sum shall be applied by such council during the first session of the said university which shall commence after my decease for a prize to a student in philosophy, and during the second session of the said university commencing after my decease for a student in physics, and during the third session which shall commence after my decease for a prize to a student in English language, and so on in such order yearly thereafter for a prize to a student in such subjects respectively ; but bo that a person taking a prize in one subject need not be the same student who may be entitled to a prize in either of the other subjects ; the prize for the English language to be for the best poem on a theme to be selected by the Professorial Board or other similar body for the time being of the said university, and the said council shall have an absolute discretion as to the amount of each prize, and as to the student entitled to such prize. And I also bequeath to the Otago University Council my Greek and Latin books to be added to the library of such university." The bequests were accepted with thanks. SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE SCHOOL OF MINES. The Under-secretary for Mines wrote forwarding 50 copies of the scholarship regulations, which had been approved by the hon. the Minister for Mines. The regulations set forth :

(1) Three scholarships at the Otago University will be offered annually for competition by students attending schools of mines within the colony. (2) The scholarships will be of the annual value of £50 each to successful candidates who may reside three miles or more beyond the boundaries of the borough of Dunedin, and of £30 to successful candidates who reside within the boundaries of the said borough, or within three miles thereof. (3) The scholarships will be tenable for three years, or for such other period less than three years as may at tho discretion of the Minister appear to be necessary. (4) The scholarships will be open to all students as aforesaid who are not less than 18 years of age on the day appointed for receiving applications, as stated in regulation 5, and who shall have attended regularly at any school of mines within the colony for not less than two years. (5) The examinations will be held in the month of December in each year, on days which will be duly announced, at the Thames, Reefton, and Dunedin. (6) The examinations will be conducted in writing, and will embrace the following subjects : — (a) Theoretical chemistry, (b) practical chemistry, (c) metallurgy of gold and silver, (d) mining, (c) ventilation of mines, (f) general and mining geology, (g) land and mining surveying. (7) No scholarships shall be awarded to any candidate who does not obtain 75 per cent, of the marks in each subject. (8) Applications from candidates, accompanied bf a fee of 10s, must reach the Mines department, Wellington, not later than the Ist of November in each year. (9) Candidates must present themselves for examination on the day fixed, as provided in in regulation 5. (10) The examination papers will be prepared by the examiners of the -'chool of Mines at the Thames and Reefton. (11) Tho Minister for Mines retains to himself the right of cancelling any scholarship should the holder attend irregularly or be reported for idleness or bad conduct. The regulations were referred to the committee to report. THE IiATE CHANCELLOR. Mr Stanford intimated that he would allow his motion with reference to a memorial to the late Dr Stuart to lapse in the meantime. The Chairman of the Professorial Board wrote stating that at a meeting of the board on the 2nd inst. the board resolved to record their deep sense of the loss which the university had sustained in the death of the Rev. Dr Stuart, the late chancellor ; their appreciation of the unwearied zeal with which he laboured to promote the interests and extend the usefulness of the institution over which he presided fer so many years ; and their grateful recollection of his unfailing courtesy to the members of the teaching staff and his large-hearted sympathy with the students. The board further resolved to represent to the council that, while Dr Stuart's name is now venerated for many personal qualities of mind and heart, his reputation with posterity will mainly rest on his services to the university, to which as vice-chancellor and as chancellor he devoted the best energies of the last 23 years of his life, and that for this reason the most appropriate monument to his memory would be the carrying out of an object which ha himself continually advocated — namely, the erection of a hall in the university, which might be called " The Stuart Memorial Hall," and contain a bust or portrait ol the late chancellor. The letter waa received. The Secretary of the Otago University Students' Association wrote stating that at a meeting of the Executive of the Students' Association, held on June 1, it was resolved to ask the students to subscribe to a fund for the purpose of erecting a tablet in the university to the memory of the late chancellor. The executive asked the permission of the council to erect such memorial in the university buildings ; the position to be agreed upon at some future time. The Vice-Chanchllor said a sketch of the proposed tablet had been submitted to the Finance Committee by Mr Hamilton. It was similar to the tablet erected to the memory of Professor Mainwaring Brown. The proposal was agreed to subject to the approval of tbe vice-chancellor. THE CAPPING CEREMONY. Mr J. E. Bertram wrote as follows :—: — I have been instructed by the executive of the Students' Association to ask you to bring before the notice of the council the following facts :— At a general meeting of the Students' Association, held on Friday, May 18, a resolution was passed— " That it was desirable to hold a capping ceremony this year as formerly, and that the executive take into consideration what form it should take and report to a future meeting." In accordance with the wishes of the association, tho matter was discussed at a meeting of the executive, held on Friday, June 1. The executive were only embodying the strong wishfof the maas of the students when they agreed that, if possible, it should be run upon somewhat the same lines as formerly, with the exception that a charge for admission be made at the doors ; but they also feel that, to secure a measure of dignity, their actions must be basked up by official patronage. Hence they respectfully ask the council if they would be willing to become the patrons of the movement, and permit the ceremony to be held under their patronage. I need hardly point out that the Students' Association do not desire to lead the council into pecuniary obligations, as the association take upon themselves all financial risks and arrangements ; but if the council should see their way to consent to the ceremony being held under their auspices it would be conferring a great and lasting favour upon the Students' Association. Sir Robert Stout Baid what he thought ought to be done was this : Seeing the capping ceremony had been abolished the students ought to arrange to have a carnival if they wished, and there ought to be another ceremony at which there was some recognition of those who took their degrees at the university. This ceremony should be in the afternoon ; and on such occasions as these tbere should be some reference to the work done at the university during the year. It did not matter very much whether the students were present or not. Addresses were meant not for the t>tudents bub to educate the pubiic with reference to the benefits of higher education. Mr Stanford : We cannot undertake that unless requested by the New Zealand University to do so. Sir Robert Stout said the House Committee should confer with the students and see what they desired. He did not see why the council should stop them from having a carnival if they wanted to have one ; and suggested that the students should be given the use of the university buildings to hold a conversazione either at the beginning or the end of the winter holidays. The Vice-Chancellor thought that bringing before the public the progress of the university and exhibiting the students who had taken their degrees was a matter of great importance, and it was a great pity that a demonstration of that sort was dropped altogether. Th ? council might vary well lend their countenance to the resuscitation of the capping ceremony in a modified form. The fact that the thing was somewhat abused ought not to have led to the ceremony being abolished altogether. The abolition of the ceremony was a harsh and unnecessary proceeding, and he thought that the ceremony should be conducted under such regulations as would prevent the objectionable part of it. He would suggest that tho matter be referred the same committee to consider.

Sir Robert Stout moved that the matter be referred to the House Committee. After further discussion the motion was agreed to. The council then went into committee. * A RETRENCHMENT SCHEME. The following report from the Finance Committee was adopted on Monday by the University Council in committee : — Your committee understand that it is instructed to go fully into all matters connected with the revenue and expenditure of the university, and to offer such suggestions in the matter as may seem desirable, with the object of bringing the annual expenses within the annual income. Before dealing with details your committee desire to offer one or two remarks of a general character which will serve to explain the necessity for the proposals and suggestions subsequently made. The committee have to place before the council the fact that the annual expenditure to which the council, under existing engagements and circumstances, is committed is in excess of the probable income by about £1250 (if, as is anticipated, a loss of £500 is sustained on account of the Barewood run), as shown by an appended statement. This state of things has been brought about entirely by diminished revenue from the several endowments since the present engagements were entered into, as will be seen by the following particulars :— 1. Barewood. — This run waß originally let in 18S0, at a rental of £2925 a year, to Mr Proudfoot, and again, af ter his failure; let to Mr Pogson at £2500 a year. It was then reduced to £2000, and finally to £1750. The run is now surrendered altogether by Mr Pogson, though the council have refused to accept. It ia impossible to say what rent may bo obtainable in the future— let it be assumed at £1200. 2. Burwood and Mararoa.— This remains at the original rental (£1300) till 1904. 3. Benmore. — Originally let to Messrs Campbell for £3600 a year. Relet this year at £3000 tor a fresh lease for 18 years. 4. Museum Reserve.— Originally let at £916 13s 4d per annum, then reduced to £766 13s 4d. Relet to Mr Brown this year for 10 years at £616 9s 2d, 5. House in Castle street, formerly let at £72 a year, now let at £52. Taking these figures, it will be seen that the reductions in revenue are as follow :— Barewood.— Original rental £2925, reduced to £1750 ; difference, £1175. Benmore. — Original rental £3600, reduced to £3000 ; difference, £600. Burwood and Mararoa. — Original rental £1300. Museum Reserve.— Original rental £766 13s 4d, reduced to £616 93 2d ; difference, £150. House in Castle street. — Original rental £72, reduced to £52 ; difference, £20. In all, £1945. The immediate falling off during the past year lies in — Barewood (unlet), probably £550 (That is assuming it can be relet at £1200) Benmore . 600 Museum reserve '. 150 Total £li3oo Against this must be set the margin of income over expenditure last year of about £300, leaving a present deficiency to be provided for of about £1000, and it is on this estimate that your committee have proceeded, merely noting the fact that the decrease in revenue corresponds somewhat exactly to the decreased price of wool, the income of the university being derived exclusively from pastoral properties. It is quite imperative as a condition of the continued existence of the university in the present form that the expenditure be reduced to a point within the limits of the income. Your committee are unable to suggest any means of adding to the income except by increasing the college fee from £1 Is to £2 2s, which will produce about £200 a -year additional income. EXPENDITURE. The administration of the financial affairs of the university has been in the past economical and careful, and in some respects during later years even parsimonious, and your committee proceed to deal with, the question of expenditure on the general principle that in reorganising the distribution of the funds it is desired to cause as little disturbance as possible in the practical teaching work of the university. If it were possible to avoid altogether the ceasing to teach subjects which have hitherto been taught, such a result would be most desirable ; but at any rate your committee think that changes of a radical character should be as far as possible avoided, and where this is impossible the changes should be minimised. The main items of expenditure may be grouped as follow :— Professors' salaries. £5400; lecturers' salaries, £1400 ; registrar, £350 ; attendants' salaries, £699 ; apparatus, £150 ; miscellaneous, £858 ; interest on loans, £900. First, as regards professors' salaries. These come under different groups. First Group. — Professors Sale, Shand, Black, Scott, Parker, and Ulrich have life engagements with the university ; Professor Shand'ssalary being paid by the church property trustees, the other professors being paid by the council. Professors Shand, Black, Kale, and Scott have been provided with houses, and this in no way part of the original agreement. It is recommended that the sum of £60 should be charged to each of these four professors by way of house rent, and that sum should be deducted from the salaries paid by agreement. The reduction under this head will amount to £240 per annum. Second Group. — Professors Gilray and Salmond are paid by the Church Property Trustees, and your committee have no recommendation to make with regard to them, as their salaries do not come within their scope. The most recently appointed professor, Professor F. B. De M. Gibbons, has no engagement for life with the university, nor does he have any residence provided. Your committee recommend the reduction of his salary by £100. The reductions under the head of professors' salaries will, therefore, be £340. Lecturers.— Your committee recommend that the services of Messrs Dallas and Williams, as paid lecturers on French and German respectively, be dispensed with. The reduction under this head will be £100. Medical Lecturers.— lt is in contemplation to reduce the salaries of the lecturers in the Medical School as the necessity for makiDg fresh appointments arises. Reductions have already been made, and it is thought that other changes must be effected. There are at present four lecturers at £150 and two at £100 a year. Attendants.— Your committee recommend the

Apparatus. — This item has already been greatly redured, and your committee only recommend that expenditure under this head should under no circumstances be allowed to exceed £100 per annum. There will be a reduction under this head of £50 per annum. Miscellaneous.— Under this heading your committee note several items which, in their opinion should be reduced— c g. : Printing and advertising, from £170 to £LOO ; insurance (2s 6d on £40,000), £80 to £50 ; library, £90 to £30. Reduction under this head, £;60. If the Calendar were published in a smaller form, and no expense incurred for examination papers printing, the first item might well bo reduced to the sum set dowp. Insurance on £40,000 might readily be obtained at present at 2s 6d per cent. Library.— This sum is set down at the annual amount required to procure magazines and journals of a scientific character. I Your committee have end.eavou.red to get the

£8,939 10 0 The alternative to reductions of this description is the dispensing with one distinct branch of the university curriculum. The abolition of the School of Mines would result ia the following reduction in expenditure :— Professor Ulrich's Balary, £600 ; Mr Wilkinson's salary, £300 ; Mr Cutten's salary, £50 ; Mr Begg's salary, £75; incidentals, £75 ; or a total of £1100, from which the sum of £500 at present annually granted by Government must be deducted, reducing the annual saving to £600. The Medical School might be reduced to a two years' course again, and the salaries of six lecturers amounting to £625, as well as some additional expenditure, amounting possibly in all to about £700, would thereby be saved. In submitting this report your committee feel that a very great responsibility has been placed upon them. The duty of suggesting that reductions should be made in the salaries of old and tried servants, some of whom have been in the service of the university for nearly a quarter of a century, is most distasteful. At the time when it would be more seemly to increase the salaries of the older officers your committee have to suggest a reduction. Your committee feel sure, however, that in the face of the iron facts above stated the staff of the university will loyally co-operate with the council, and not allow the usefulness of the university to be impaired or its teaching force to be diminished. If these suggestions are given effect to, the expenditure will be brought approximately within the income— that is, provided that the estimated rent is obtained from Barewood. But even so the margin_ is precariously narrow, showing nothing available for extraordinary requirements or for any necessary repairs to buildings.

The clause increasing the college fee to £2 2s is to be left for final decision at the December meeting of the council, and is contingent on the result of the sale of the Barewood leases.

STATEMENT SHOWING BEDUCTIONS TO BE EFFECTED. Previous Future Expendi- Expendi- Reduction. ture. ture. Professors' salaries £5,400 £s,Uf>o 0 £340 0 lecturers' salaries... 1400 1300 0 100 0 attendants' salaries 699 633 10 66 10 Hiecellaneoua ... 866 696 0 160 0 Apparatus 350 100 0 50 0 Registrar 250 250 0 — interest on loan ... 900 900 0 — £9,655 £8,939 10 £716 10

rate of interest on the loan of £15,000 from the Government Insurance department reduced, but without effect. To sum up the above we have : Reduction in professors' salaries ... £340 0 0 Reduction in lecture ra' salaries ... 100 0 0 Reduction in staff salaries 66 10 0 General charges, apparatus 50 0 0 Miscellaneous 160 0 0 Total reductions £716 10 0 To this add college fees, say ... 200 0 0 £916 10 0 The figures will then stand as follows :— FUTURE RECEIPTS. Endowments (including Barewood, at £1200) £5.640 0 0 Museum endowment 616 0 0 Church trustees 1,800 0 0 Subsidy, School of Mines 500 0 0 College fee of £2 2s 400 0 0 Interest on F.D's and miscellaneous... 100 0 0 £9,056 0 0 FUTURE EXPENDITURE. Professors' salaries £5.060 0 0 Lecturers' salaries 1,300 0 0 Interest on loan 900 0 0 Attendants' salaries 633 10 0 Miscellaneous 696 0 0 Registrar 250 0 0 Apparatus 100 0 0

ollowing changes :— Present Future ReducSalary. Salary, tion. r aaitor £75 0 £70 £50 Inatpmy porter ... 128 10 115 13 10 ?hysicß laboratory assistant 65 0 60 5 0 chemist's assistant ... 82 0 75 7 0 laxidermist 19S 0 175 23 0 kfuseum janitor ... 96 0 88 8 0 Biological laboratory boy 10 0 10 . — Assistant School Mines 45 0 40 5 0 .£699 10 £033 £66 10 The reduction under this head will amount to £6« 103.