COLLEGE COUNCIL RUFFLED.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 19, 17 October 1907, Page 7

COLLEGE COUNCIL RUFFLED.

THE PRESS AND COMMUTE BUSINESS. A GENTLE BREEZE. Tlio Victoria College Comicil is a gravo and learned body whoso weighty deliberations rarely riso beyond tho realms of polished and pouderous : imperturbability. But at tho meeting last, night it was startled out of its accustomed calm, and thoro was quito a lively argument for a littlo whilo. The trouble aroso out of a motion to tako certain business in committee. Mr. Wilson objected. Business had been taken in committee before, but -it had all been reported in tbo papers next day, just as though tlioy had sat in open meeting. They might just as well discuss tho matter openly, therefore ;- they would know where they were then. Several members promptly entered tho lists on behalf of tho Press, declaring that they had nover known tho to be guilty of a breach of .faith. Mr. Wilson warmly donied any intention of impeaching tlio Press; tho reporters wero not to blame, but, if the information was to ho given .them by members afterwards, they might as well sit in' open meeting; they would knoiV where they woro then. Ho also made some reference to "holo and corner business." This drew Mr. Bell to his feet in quick retort. "Surely it is most inaccurate to accuse the Council of and corner busiho protested. . " I have nover seen anything of tho kind since I have been a member." "l'ou have not been a member as long as I have," retorted Mr. Wibon. 1 rouble seemed to be looming on the horizon, but the chairman averted a storm by putting tho motion to go into comrnitteo. This was carried, and tho Council was just about to settle down into its usual steady stride when troublo bobbed up again. "There are strangers prcsont, and I'm sure wo can t discuss matters as freely as we ought to do," complained a member in agitated concern. The strangers—tho Press —took the hint and departed swiftly and silently into tho chilly night, leaving tho members debating, moro or less warmly, whethor or not the reporters should bo turned adrift. About an hour later the Press were informed that tho following resolution had been passed:—'.'That the letters of Mr. Hunter and Professor 'Easterfield bo referred to tho Finance Comrnitteo to consider and report on tho applications, stating whether other applications that will increase the financial burdens of the College aro probablethat the Comrnitteo also roport on what other Colloges are paying their Professors and lecturers, aud what assistance tlioy receive in tho shapo of lecturers and demonstrators ; that the Committee roport whether tho finances of tho Collcgo can bear any additional burden in salaries, and roport to tho next meeting. One application was, for an increaso of salary, and tho other for higher payment to an assistant, so as to securo his whole time.