THE UNIVERSITY.

Evening Star, Issue 3860, 8 July 1875, Page 3

THE UNIVERSITY.

At a meeting of the Council of the above, held yesterday, the following, among other business, was transacted :

The Chancellor stated that the University was now in possession of all Crown grants, only one being under preparation. The income from this source was L 3,000, and the increased revenue from the Benraore and Barewood endowments alone would, in the year 1882, amount to L 1,500. There were in all four runs—Burwood and Mararoa, 70,000 acres in extent; Burwood Forest, nearly 4,000 acres ; Barewpqd, 30,000 acres; - Benmore, - 100,000 acres ; and Forest Hill, 10,000 acres. An exhaustive report on the character of the soil and its capabilities was made by Mr M‘Kerrow, and another on the forest timber by Mr W. N. Blair. The Council recorded a vote of thanks to both gentlemen for their valuable papers.

The following memo, was read That application be made by next, mail,to the General Council of Medical Education and Registration Home for recognition of. the following things(o) The preliminary examination -in general education required of medical studehts in this University. (6) The various classes embraced in medical curricula that will be in operation in-this University on the Ist day of .May next, including ' hospital practice, (c) That the Government be asked to facilitate the matter by appointing medical then to the Hospital as early as possible. That to Professor Cough trey and Macgregor be remitted the task of drawing up a memorial, accompanied by the necesaaiy details,: to be forwarded to the Regis" trar of the above Council: such memorial and detail to meet with the approval of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. Dr Coughtrey also sent in a report upon the action be had taken when at Home relative to the teaching of the school being recognised by the Universities there, which was referred to Ihe committee. The Provincial Secretary wrote; intimating that the “Government' has resolved to give effect to the recommendations of the University Council, and to appoint three medical officers besides Dr Hulme,: that gentleman to be- the responsible chief. Further, that Drs Hulme and Coughtrey be requested to confer and report to the Government as to the most suitable men for the appointments. It was also resolved that Dr Hulme’s salary should remain at the same rate as at present, and that the other medical officers should receive an honorarium of LIOO per annum each, the Government undertaking to pay these salaries for the current year.” The Board of Professors suggested as the best means of utilising the vote of LSOO by the Provincial Council for the purpose of establishing a School of Mines, (1) the appointment of a professor of geology and mining, and a lecturer on surveying, the appointments to date from January 1 next; (2) the purchase of such materials, models, &c., as may be immediately required by the professor before mentioned ; and (3) that Captain Hutton should cease to lecture on geology, and should be appointed Professor of Zoology, that appointment to be held by him in conjunction :with the Curatorship of the Museum, In support of the above suggestions the Board called attention to the following considerations;—!. If the appointments recommended by the Board are made, the Province, would almost immediately be in a position to offer to all who wanted it a complete education in all the matters relating to mining. The Professor of Geology and Mining would give instruction in geology, mineralogy, practical mining (including- the application of machinery), and underground surveying. The University is already able to give instruction in pure mathematics, mechanics, theoretical chemistry, analytical'chemistry (with special reference to mineralogy, metallurgy, and assaying), and palaeontology, and shortly, as soon »s apparatus ’is provided, will be able to give instructions in- physics. Mechanical drawing could also be taught ! in the Arts School. The above-mentioned subjects are all that are necessary to be taught in connection with mining, 2.. The appointment of Captain Hutton as Professor of Zoplogy only is necessary, for the sake of the-, medical school which is now being started in the University, The medical schools in Great Britain make it a condition of their lectures on zoology that the lecturer should confine himself to that subject. 3, The appointment of a lecturer on surveying seems to the Board to be desirable not only for the sake of: students in mining, but for the sake of many other students who would probably take advantage of these lectures if they were given. 4. The Board have suggested that the new appointments should date from the Ist Jauuary, 1876, because the sum voted would then, they suppose, be sufficient for the halfyear ending 30th June, 1876. These recommendations were forwarded to the Superintendent for favorable consideration.

Professor Sale, as chairman of the Professorial Board, wrote that the Board believed it essenc l a l that any gentleman holding the office of Curator of the Botanical Gardens should he a man of scientific attainments and reputation, capable of taking the duties of lecturer on botany; also, that he should have a i special acquaintance with the subject of forestry, in order that he may also act as conservator of forests. With regard to the Normal School, tho_ Board expressed the opinion that the ordinary University classes are more suitable for students of the school than any special lectures could be, whether delivered by the University professors or by others. The Board expressed their readiness to make arrangements with the Secretary of the Education Board regarding the degree of proficiency to be required from students who aredesirous of obtaining teachers’ certificates. Th o following resolutions were passed:— That in order that our medical stud ants going home may be able to proceed at once to their technical studies, and may fulfil the requirements of candidates for various examinations, it is necessary to provide instruction in botany j and the Council of the University beg to suggest to his Honor the desirability of appointing a scientific botanist as director of the Botanical Gardens, whose services could be obtained as lecturer on botany, in connection with the medical, mining, and arts classes in the University; and, if thought desirable, could be further utilised in the conservation of the forests of the country.”