G.-No. 8,

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT

18

The resolution embodying this view was one of a series of resolutions intended for the information of the University of Otago, and was not in any way intended as a suggestion to the Government of the Colony. For this reason it was not brought under the notice of the Government. The Council apparently desired to leave the matter entirely in the hands of the Government, and therefore refrained from making any recommendation. As soon as it became known to me, from your letter of the 3rd ultimo, that, until a site is fixed upon, the Council will labour under certain disabilities, and will, therefore, be incapable of performing some of its functions, I considered that I was only expressing the wishes of the Council by requesting that these disabilities should be removed as soon as possible, by the determination of a site. I regret very much that an unofficial communication of this resolution should have had the effect of inducing the Government, in its desire to meet the wishes of the Council, to abstain from carrying out that part of the Act which, as it appears, is essential to the validity of tho proceedings of the Council. I have, Ac. Henet John Tanceed, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chancellor.

No. 29. The Hon. Mr. Gisbobne to Mr. Tanceed. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sie,— Wellington, 18th August, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, forwarding copies of minutes of proceedings of meeting of the University of New Zealand, held in May and June last. I have, Ac, H. J. Tancred, Esq., W. Gisboene. Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, Christchurch.

No. 30. The Eev. Dr. Stuart to the Hon. Mr. Gisborne. Sir, — Dunedin, 16th June, 1871. In the absence of the Chancellor of the University of Otago, I beg to bring under your notice the following representation : — The Council of the Otago University feels aggrieved that the union of the Universities of Otago and New Zealand has been prevented by the Council of the latter University resolving not to fix upon any particular place in the Colony as the permanent site of the University, though " The New Zealand University Act, 1870," contemplated its location in Dunedin. The Council of the Otago University considers that, in the circumstances, it has just claims to a participation in the annual endowments of £3,000 already made out from the Consolidated Eevenue of the Colony for the purpose of scholarships in said University, —which shall be open for competition to the youth of the Colony, —in such proportion as tho population of Otago shall bear to the European population of New Zealand. I have, Ac, D. M. Stuart, The. Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Vice-Chancellor of Otago.

No. 31. Mr. Tancbed to the Hon. Mr. Gisbobne. Sib,— Christchurch, 27th June, 1871. I have the honor to inform you that the Council of this University, being impressed with the desirability of utilizing the estate set apart under an Act of the General Assembly, —the University Endowment Act, —with the least possible delay,is desirous of placing it in a position which will allow of its being let to tenants. Before, however, this can be done, it is necessary that the lands should be properly defined, and that they should be conveyed to the University. A memorandum, No. 359, enclosed in your letter of the 3rd instant, 296, showing, so far as was then known to the Government, the position of the reserves for the University endowment, was received in Dunedin, and came under the consideration of the Council. From that memorandum it appeared that, with the exception of certain town sections in the County of Westland, and 10,000 acres in the Province of Otago (the late Province of Southland), none of the reserves have yet been defined. I am instructed by the Council to press upon the Government the necessity for causing the rest to be defined at the earliest possible period, and to recommend that grants should, as soon as possible, be issued in favour of the University. I presume that, as regards those reserves which have been defined, there will be no difficulty, and I have accordingly to request that instructions may bo given for the preparation of Crown grants for