45

E.—7

Research Schol<irsh>}>. The Research Scholarship recently provided by Parliameni was awarded to A. Gordon Hacdonald, A.0.5.M., 8.E., Mm., who is at present engaged in an investigation on the " Distribution and Economic Value of the Brown Coals of Otago." , »«om The Berwick-Moreing poet-graduate place for 1908 was awarded to Mr. Norman Mm ml. A.u.h.M., who has been placed at the New Zealand Talisman Mine, at Karangahake. Denial School. It is with much pleasure 1 report that the Dental School was officially opened by the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister of Education, on the 4th of April, the Prime Minister, Hon. Sir .). (i. Ward, being also present. The school gives promise of being very successful. The Council lias been fortunate in securing the services of Dr. Pickerill as Director, and the following honorary dental surgeons : F. Throp, H. Dodgshun. T. A. Hunter, Dr. 11. Ziele, C. W. Hay, 0. V. Davies, F. Armstrong, .1. Glendining, .1. Dunlop, H. D. Brewer, M. A. Thompson, and A. J. Chrvstall. Mr. J. Dunlop resigned his position on the 14th July, 1908. The staff has been strengthened by the appointmeni of Mr. N. P. Hawkins, of Birmingham, as Mechanical Assistant, and the Council is indebted to Mr. W. M. Knott, of Birmingham, who was good enough to seleci Mi. Hawkins. ' During the year application was made to the Government to provide an additional sum ot i.*,4Al to meet the overdraft on account of the building and additional requirements, and my Council noted with satisfaction that £2,100 was provided in the year's appropriation by Parliament. The proposed alteration to the bui'ding, which, in the opinion of my Council, will I" , most economical, will involve an additional amount of between £400 and £500, which it is hoped the Government will make provision for. Minimj School. The contract for the new building, for £4,363, was signed on the 4th April, 1908, and the building is now completed. Further particulars will be found in the report of the Director of the School, which is attached. ... , ~. . , 1 have much pleasure in drawing attention to the. generous oner of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, which has advised the Council that two postgraduate scholarships of £60 each. tenable for one year, are annually open to graduates of the Otago School of Mines. Medical School. It is so essential to the success of the Medical School that every facility should We granted for students to gain experience in the General Hospital and the Maternity Home in Forth Street that 1 again draw attention to the necessity for the Council of the University being represented on the Board of Hospital Trustees and on the Charitable Aid Board, and I would respect full v urge that legislative provision be made for this purpose. Y< Urinary School. The public-works appropriations contained provision for £I.<HH) on account of ES,OOO for buildings for the Veterinary School, and the Consolidated Fund appropriations £300 on account of annual cost (£1 200). ' Correspondence has continued with the Minister of Education, and plans of proposed buildings have been submitted, but there is great difficulty in making satisfactory provision for the school with only £.'5.000 for buildings. The correspondence is still proceeding, and the Council hopes it will soon produce satisfactory results. I.a w School. Students of law communicated with the Council during the. year asking for further provision for instruction in law subjects. At the present time lectures are given on constitutional history and law. Jurisprudence and Political Economy. The Lecturers, as remuneration, receive only the fees paid by the students. The Council would be glad to make better provision were funds available. The Museum. The Hocken wing has beon completed, but has not yet been officially opened or handed over to the Council. . , The provision made for the upkeep of the Museum is quite inadequate, and 1 call attention to the Museum Account, which shows year by year a. transfer from the University funds t (.wards the maintenance of the Museum, and would again urge that further provision should he made for Museum requirements. Finance. The balance-sheet, duly audited, is attached. In December last the debenture debt, amounting to £11. (KM), became due ; and £7,600 was renewed for two years at 5 per cent., being an increase of J per cent. As the holders of :!. lihi pounds worth of debentures desired payment, the Council made provision by the issue of debentures to a like amount,