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Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2813, 19 February 1878, Page 2

On the afternoon of February 9th was laid by the Hon. H. S. Chapman, Chancellor, the corner stone of the Otago University buildings. After the stone had been declared " well and truly laid " according to the custom usually observed on such occasions, the Hon. Mr Chapman delivered an oration to the assemblage, which included the Tice Chancellor and Council of the University, Ministers of religion, civic magnates and the general public. This oration touched upon tho rise and progress of the Otago University, the number of its professors and students, and other matters of a similar character, including, of course, the subjects of the different choirs. The subject of a School of Mines naturally cropped up, and the following is what the hon. speaker had to say on the subject :—

One very important Chair that is now upon the point of being established is that of a perfect School of Mines. Mining is even of more importance in this Colony than in Victoria. No doubt Victoria has a greater abundance ot gold, but we bar© mineral riches hero far surpassing those hitherto discovered in that Colony; more especially hare we abundance of coal of different descriptions in different parts of the Colony. There is hardly any place in New Zealand, from the North Cape to Stewart's Island, that does not develope seams of valuable coal which, hereafter, when- we know how to use, will be the means of creating valuable manufactories in this country. I say it is to a School of Mines we look to teach our population how to' use it. This School of Mines was agitated months ago, and it was stated in the newspapers that the Council was going to sleep, and it was asked why not establish the School of Mines. The answer was simply that we had no money. We have been lately in communication with the General Government, who, by the way, has behaved liberally both in the case of the Museum and the School of Mines. We have now reached that point where we find ourselves in the position to make an offer to an efficient head of that school, and also to appoint all necessary lecturers when we know what lectures will be required. Fortunately, many of our existing Professors and lecturers teach branches of study which form a part of the necessary education of a School of Mines. The Professors which we have are very zealous for the establishment of that school, and will lend it their aid. T have no doubt before twelve months will have elapsed we will have the necessary branches of mining knowledge—namely, mineralogy, metallurgy, and analytical chemistry, and other subjects, such as mining surveying, and all those branches necessary for mining pursuits—taught in this University. I have great satisfaction in stating that on next Tuesday the establishment of a School of Mines will be a prominent subject for discussion at the meeting of the university Council.

The s.s. Piako, which left hero this morning for Ohinemuri, having on board dipt. Fraser, Mr Brodie and a number of others, when some littie distance from the wharf, got some of the iron work of her pump broken, and she was obliged to put back. After some little delay the passengers were transferred to the Sotoiti, which proceeded at once up the river.

Mb Habcottbt has informed us that from latest advices both Mr Wilkinson, the Geological Surveyor, and the liev. Mr Law es have reported against New Guinea. Mr Wilkinson has found no gold in the quartz and very little in the black sand. Ho also states that New Guinea fever is a terror, and that Mr Goldie suffered 30 attacks in eight months, so that our New Guineans had better rest on their oars till the report comes from the Cooktown Expedition. Mr Harcourt has only 21 entries out of tho 50 required.

Mil John Leydon wishes attention to be called to the sale by auction to-morrow by him of a valuable property and effects in Upper Albert street. The property consists of a fire-roomed cottage known as Mount Albert Cottage, the attractions of which are grandiloquently described in MrLeydon's advertisement. The situation is one of the best on the Thames, commanding easy access to the business centre, yet possessing the retirement and seclusion of a suburban residence. The garden is well laid out, and the soil of the neighborhood is proverbial for its productiveness. This delightful property is a complete rus in urbe.

The annual fete of tho Eoman Catholic School Children will take place to-morrow, Parawai Gardens being selected as the scene of the youthful revels. Tho children will assemble at S. Bridget's Church, Grahamstown, at 9 o'clock, and march in procession, headed -by the Hibernian Society's Band, to the Gardens. The children attending the Convent Select Schools have been invited to take part in the picnic.

The County Cbairmnn aud somo members of tho County Council met the Key. \V. JC. Mulgan, Chairman of tlie Kntiknti Highway District Board at the Pacific Hotel last evening to talk over the subject of road communication bet ween Ohinemuri and Kalikati. A long conversation ensued, tho Thames County members expressing a desire to workjwith the Boards beyond their boundary, at tho same time being fully alive to the uselossness of making roads right up to their boundary if they were not to be continued, Tho County Chairman agreed to cooperate with Mr Mulgan in trying to get an advance from the native vote to employ native labor in making a road.

Tjibke was ho business of any kind whatever at tho E.M. Court this morning. At a meeting of the Works Committee of the Water Supply Committee held at Borough Council Chambers this afternoon the tenders for laying the new 9-inch mains in Albert, Brown and Owen streets were opened as follows:—H. Rawdon, £165,105; Hugh Fisher, £129 7s ; John McDermott, £93; A. Butler, £134 jW. Adams, £164; J. S. Hope, £175 12s; J. J. O'Brien, £209 ss; W. Wilson, £163 ; Jas. Goodwin, £I<10; Francis Daykin, £119 16s ; J. Callum, £154 3s 6d. Mr MacDermott's tender being the lowest was accepted.

Thk following stupid telegram appeared in last night's Auckland Star from its Thames correspondent:—" It is urged that Captain Fraser might bo appointed mining inspector, with A. W. Carew and J. P. Hall undervicwers, in keeping with the policy of economy which the Government profess." Ok Saturday last a widow lady residing in Symons street, Auckland, was assaulted by a boy of 15 in her own garden. The youth was caught up a tree stealing peaches, and the lady obtained possession of his cap, tcrecover which he used violence and seriously maltreated the lady. He deserves to have his back tickled with a " cat." The Waikato Turf Club Ball took place in the large dining-room of Mr W. H. Pearce's Commercial Hotel, Hamilton, on Friday night last. The decorations of the room, and the catering of the supper by Mr Pearce gave great satisfaction to the guests. The ball was a complete success. It is proposed to present Mr 21. J. O'Sullivan with a testimonial by theteachers of the Common Schools of Auckland. With this view a meeting of school teachers was held in the City East School on Saturday afternoon; Mr H. Worthington in the chair, for the purpose of considering the testimonial to bo presented. The chairman stated in his introductory remarks that at a meeting of school teachers, held in his house in Hobson street on the 17th November last, it was resolved to ask teachers generally to contribute towards a testimonial to their chief inspector, Mr O'Sullivan, and circulars to that effect were sent to the district teachers, and met with favorable responses. The subscriptions were | limited to 5s and 10s, and the sum subscribed amounted to £63 11s, and after «the deduction of expenses there would be £55 for the proposed testimonial, and it now remained with the meeting to say what form the testimonial should take. Mr Worthington spoke of the good Mr O'Sullivan had done in connection with his position in various ways, especially in introducing the study of the laws of health, and which, though rather difficult at first, would eventually be of great advantage. It had been suggested that books or works of art would be acceptable to Mr O'Sullivan, but of course that must be left to them. After some discussion it was resolved that Messrs Worthington, Brabazon, Harrison, aud Edwards be appointed a committee to to consider the testimonial, draw up an address, and arrange for the presentation!