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Bachelors of Arts : John Hugh Alexander McPhee, George Thorncroft Palmer, John Brunton, Theophilus Benjamin Strong, Margaret Collier Perrin, Joseph Eobert Shore, John George Fullarton, Angus Marshall, Violet Maud Greig, Ealph Townley Little, Eobert John Thompson, Isabella Margaret MacKellar, Lawrence Thompson, Arthur Edward Jones. Bachelors of Science : William Newlands, Sydney Chalmers Allen, James Hamilton Hall Baillie, Leonard Arthur Line. Bachelor of Laws : Colin Campbell Hutton. Honours in science weregained by Joseph William Mellor, B.Sc.; and Henry Fawsitt Skey, B.Sc. „ The Tinline Scholarship was awarded to Violet M. Greig, and a Senior Scholarship to J. R. Shore. Endowments. —The tenancy of the endowments remains the same, and the rentals have been duly received. The amount in arrears, mentioned in last year's report, has been paid; there is, however, a small sum again due on the same account. \ Loan. —The chief work on the University site has been the construction of a concrete retaining wall along the side of the Water of Leith, by means of which the Leith is confined to its original channel, and the destruction of the block by floods prevented. Shortly after completion (in February) a very severe flood occurred in the stream, and the wall thus practically tested seemed to serve in every way the purpose for which it was built.' A large portion of the area of the block thus protected has been filled in to a level with the adjacent streets, and has been surveyed into suitable building sections, which are now offered for lease under exceptionally favourable terms. The leasing-powers originally possessed by the University being inadequate to present requirements, and embracing only a portion of the block now prepared for lease, a Bill was introduced into Parliament to give amended and increased powers of leasing. The Bill was passed, but, by an error discovered too late, the area over which the leasing powers were given was incorrectly defined in the schedule. At present, therefore, the Council has only the power to lease the section fronting Albany Street. When Parliament re-assembles, a short amending Bill will be introduced correcting the error. In carrying out the plans for the work, it was found necessary, owing to the character of the river-bed, to carry the foundations 2 ft. deeper than originally proposed, and some additional work was required in blasting the rocks in the bed of the Leith. Altogether the expenditure on the work, including plans, surveys, &c, has been £1,243 3s. Id. The loan being £1,000, the additional amount has had to be paid from current account. To complete the work, it would be desirable to fill in the whole of the area, and to trim the hill on the other side of the Leith into a site available for future buildings for the extension of the University. This, however, would involve the expenditure of £500. School of Mines. —The report of the Director of the School of Mines, attached to this report, will give the particulars of the work done by the students. The number in attendance still keeps up, and shows no sign of decrease. The necessity for providing special accommodation for a large class in petrography caused the Mines Committee to undertake certain alterations in the building, by which ample space and light is now available for main surface-work. Very little quartzcrushing has been done at the battery, reasons for which are given in the report of the Director. In making the necessary alterations, which involved considerable expense, the Council were assisted by a grant from the Minister of Mines, without which the work would have had to be carried on at a great disadvantage. The school received a valuable present of chemical appliances and balances from the Hon. Lee Smith, M.L.C., who presented them in compliance with the wish of his son, a very promising student, who died early in the year. An alteration has been made in the regulations making matriculation compulsory for the School of Mines, excepting students who obtain Government scholarships, and those over twenty-one years of age. University. —By the permission of the Government, the Council were able to avail themselves of the services of the Agent-General in making the necessary arrangements for the engagement of Professor William Blaxland Benhani, D.Sc, London, who arrived in the colony about the beginning of June. In the meantime the classes in botany and biology were carried on by Mr. J. S. Tennant, M.A., B.Sc, and Mr. W. Manson,, M.A., B.Sc. in a very satisfactory manner. It was found necessary to effect a number of repairs at the house recently occupied by Professor Scott, and which was taken by Professor Benham on his arrival. The outside woodwork at the Museum was also painted and the roof repaired. . The students having subscribed towards the cost, a bicycle-shed was erected at the University. The following scholarships were awarded this year after the examinations: —Eichardson Scholarship : Alexander Kinder. Walter Scott Scholarship : Jessie Eeid. Women's Scholarship : Eva M. Handle. It was found necessary to reduce the amount hitherto paid to these scholarships, as the funds, being invested in bank deposits, carry only a low rate of interest. It was resolved that the amounts paid be equal to the interest received on capital value of each fund. Council. —The Council received with regret the resignation of Sir Eobert Stout, and in the resolution accepting it with regret " trust that he will afford to Victoria College, Wellington, the same valuable assistance and support which he has always given to this University." Mr. H. Clark, of Clarksville, was appointed by the Government a member of Council to fill the vacancy. The Medical Faculty have reported that a new post-morteni room is urgently needed at the hospital. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Trustees, and it was resolved to vote £50 towards the cost. The following documents are enclosed with this report: The audited balance-sheet of the University for the year ending the 31st March, 1899; the report of the Chairman of the Professorial Board; the report of the Dean of the Medical School; the report of the Director of the School of Mines ; and the report of the Curator of the Museum. Joshua Stkange Williams, Chancellor.