DR. SALMOND AND THE CHAIR OF PHILOSOPHY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3542, 4 February 1886, Page 3

DR. SALMOND AND THE CHAIR OF PHILOSOPHY.

(!)T TElEOnAl'n.) Pcneoin", Feb. 3. The question of T)r Sfllmond's nppointnient to the Chair of Mcntul and itoral I'hilosnphy came up at the University Council to-day. Mr Stout, Minister of Education, wrote on the subject m a long communication, pointinc out that, there was a provision m t!ie Act which forbade the putting of a religious test. Ho suggested that the Council, Synod and Church Board should unite m asking for legislation to put future appointments m tho hands of a Board. He also suggested founding a Chair of Methodology. Dr Siilmond wrote m reference to the objections which were beirg mircda? to his competency to fill tlio Chair, pointing out that whether the University admitted him or not ho was still the occupant of theclinir. J\idge William.', Vice-Chancellor, submitted his views m writing. Ho said that the proceedings of the appointment were not perhaps entirely satisfactory, but at the same time it did not follow llioy were bad. The way m which the appointment was made, however, made it incumbent upon the Couu- | cil to be sutUiietl with the qualifications of the appointee. A motion was suStnitted thut the trustees having been unduly interfered with.theCouneil decline to proceed further with the appointment, and refer the matter to a Committee to prevent the establishment of a bad precedent. A series of amendments were also moved, to the effect that the Council cannot iwsent to tho appointment till thoy nro satisfied that the person appointed will bo under their control, and that pending legislation the Council decline to bo committed on tho question of the fitness of the appointeo ; and another, that beforo ratifying the Board's appointment tho Council require to be satisfied of the appointee's fitness. Eventually the whole matter was referred to a Committee to report. A motion was carried that m future the appointments be for Jive years.