ELECTION OF CHANCELLOR. [From the Times,]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 793, 9 March 1853, Page 4

ELECTION OF CHANCELLOR. [From the Times,]

Oxford, Oct. 12 — This important event took place to-day by the election, as was foreseen, of the Earl of Derby, The Convocation bouse was crowded at the appointed time, but the whoie business vras transacted in half an hour, the only speech made on the occasion being by the senior Proctor (the Rev. W. C. Lake, Tutor and senior Dean of Balliol College) who having applied to the Vice Chancellor to say a few words upon the subject of the nomination of the Chancellor, and having received his consent, proceeded to deliver a forcible speech in Latin, of which the following is a brief abstract : — " He, (the Senior' Proctor) would have wished, as there j was apparently no opposition to the electicn of Lord Derby as Chancellor, that the whole proceedings might have been marked by concord and agreement ; but he felt that if there were an entire silence on the present occasion, there would be t serious misrepresentation of the real sentiments of a very large portion of the University. He could not but in his official capacity express bis deep regret that when so grave and serious a business was on hand, no sufficient time had been allowed to the University for calm discussion and deliberation, and he was anxious that it should be understood that the rapidiiy with which the present proceedings had been conducted was far from approving itself to the general judgment of the University. Let it not be supposed that it was his intention to say a single word against the Earl of Derby. That noble lord had certainly said and done several things which, for himself, he did not so much disapprove, but which, he confessed, it did surprise him, could have commended him to the-suffrages of the Doctors and Masters of the University. Their present act might perhaps be a subject for future regret and self reproach, He willingly acknowledged that noble lord's accomplishments, his brilliant ability, and his almost hereditary fame ; and if ever be had taken a real interest in academic affairs he might well have been chosen, not only to defend the University by his eloquence, but to assist it with bis counsel. Bat while be eulogised the general character of the person to be elected, he must protest against the rapidiiy of the election, He complained that an affair of 60 great importance was completed in the absence of almost the whole University. Ke complained of this exhibition to the worL'l of rash and iocousiderate precipitation. He was aware that there had been a wish to save the University from inconvenience, and to preserve its peace and quiet — an iniention undoubtedly well meant, but surely in this case wanting in wisdom and prudence. Might the circumstance of this election not be drawn inio a precedent which might hereafter be abused to the purposes of party ? Finally, be repeated, he did not assume the office of censuring the actions of others, but be did feel it bis solemn duty, as a responsible officer of tbe University, to express publicly his sincere regret that in so ccitical a period of the history of tbe University, when the utmost caution and soundest judgment of all her sons were especially needed, she should have lost tbe opportunity of recording her own free and deliberate decision as to the fittest person to succeed i her great Chancellor. The Senior Proctor concluded by commending to the serious consideration of tbe University the propriety of some law or statute by which the election of a Chancellor, [ within so short a period of, the long vacation, should ever afterwards be prevented." The Vice-Chancellor, in reply to the alleged briefness of the period allowed for the election, quoted, as we understood, tbe precedents of the elections in tbe last century, of Lord North and the Duke of Portland. The following notice has just been issued :—: — "A convocation will be bolden on Wednesday next, the 13th inst., at 10 o'clock, for the purpose of affixing the University seal to the instrument of election of the Right Hon. the Earl of Derby as Chancellor of the University. i "F. T. Plumtree, Vice- Chancellor. "University College, October 12."