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In accordance with the intimation thus given, I have now the honor to request that you will be good enough to bring the matter before the Council of the Otago University, with a view to ascertain whether it will be prepared to establish a School of Mines in connection with the University, where instruction in a popular form might be given in the various branches of science relating to mining, and where persons desirous of having specimens of ores or minerals tested might be enabled to do so on reasonable terms. The immense importance of this subject to the colony will, I am sure, induce your Council to assist in giving effect to the object in view. I shall be glad to be informed that your Council has resolved to establish a School of Miues in connection with the Otago University. I have, &c, Sir J. L. C. Richardson, D. Reid, Chancellor of the Otago University, Dunedin. Secretary for Crown Lands.

No. 11. The Registeae, Otago University, to the Hou. the Seceetaey for Ceown Lands. Sib, — University of Otago, Dunedin, 28th February, 1877. I have tho honor to acknowledge your letter of the 31st ultimo, enclosing a copy of a resolution passed by the House of Representatives in favour of the establishment of a School of Mines in the colony, and requesting that the matter might be brought before the Council with a view to ascertain whether it will be prepared to establish such a school. In reply, I have the honor to state that the subject was brought under the consideration of the Council at its last meeting, and I am directed to convey to you a copy of the resolution then adopted, namely, — " That the Colonial Government be informed that the University Council is quite prepared to render more complete and effective the School of Mines, so far as it has already been created in the University, so soon as the £500 a year voted by the Provincial Council of Otago towards such school is available." In reference to this I have to inform you that the University Council contemplated the establishment of a School of Mines in July, 1875, when it was proposed, in addition to the existing staff, to appoint a Professor of Geology and Mining, and a Lecturer on Surveying, the then Provincial Executive, anxious to forward the views of the Council, offering a subsidy of £500 towards it. The subsidy, however, not having been received, the completion of the school was necessarily deferred, and the only practical step since taken towards it has been the appointment of the Professor of Natural Science, one of whose functions will be to lecture on geology. I am instructed to add that the University is already able to give instructions in pure mathematics, mechanics, theoretical chemistry, analytical chemistry (with special reference to mineralogy, metallurgy, and assaying, and palaeontology, and shortl}', as soon as apparatus is provided, in physics. Tou will be gratified to learn that, at the University Laboratory, persons desirous of having specimens of ores or minerals tested are enabled to do so on reasonable terms. I have, Ac, W. H. Mansford, The Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands. Registrar.

No. 12. The Undee Seceetaey for Ceown Lands to the Registeae. Sib, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, Ist May, 1877. With further reference to the proposed establishment of a School of Mines in connection with the Otago University, and to your letter on the subject dated the 28th February last, I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands, to request you to be good enough to state how many days in the week, and how many hours of such days, the Council would be prepared to cause to be devoted to the objects of the proposed school, and whether a teacher would be occupied exclusively in the duties connected therewith. Such particulars to be stated in relation to the subsidy mentioned in your letter, and on the supposition of its being granted. W. H. Mansford, Esq., I have, &c., Registrar, Otago University, Dunedin. J. Giles.

No. 13. The Vice-Chancelloe to the Hon. the Seceetaey for Ceown Lands. Sic, — University of Otago, Dunedin, 19th May, 1877. In further acknowledgment of your letter of the 31st January, calling the attention of the Council to a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives in favour of the establishment of a School of Mines, and Mr. Giles's letter of the Ist of May, I have to inform you that the subject has since engaged the serious attention of the Council, and by their direction I have now the honor to forward you a report on the subject, drawn up with great care, by a joint committee of the Council and the Professorial Board, aud which has been adopted by the Council. Desirous as the Council are to see such a school established, they cannot see their way to proceed with it until they obtain an assurance from the Government of a subsidy to the extent of £500 per annum. lam directed to add