CANTERBURY COLLEGE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 408, 2 October 1875, Page 4

CANTERBURY COLLEGE.

The Board of Governors of the Canterbury College met at 10 a.m. yesterday. Present— Mr H. B. Gresson (chairman), Right Rev the Primate, Revs W, J. Habens, C. Fraser, J. Buller, and W. W. Willock, Dr Turnbull, Messrs Tancred, J. N. Tosswill, R. Wilkin, J. Inglis, W. J. W. Hamilton. The chairman said that he had received a letter from the Hon J. B, A. Ackland, stating his acceptance of the office of one of the Governors of the College to which he had been elected. A memo had been received from his Honor Mr Justice Johnston, expressing his thanks for the honor done him in electing him as one of the Governors, but informing the chairman that he could not see his way to accept the office, because questions of law might arise which he would be called upon to decide as Judge of the Canterbury judicial district. If he accepted the office he would be incapacitated from doing this, and these questions would have to be decided in another part of the colony, thus- involving considerable expense. He desired some further time to consider the matter, but if he should find it necessary to decline the appointment he would do all in his power to advance the interests of the College. He, the chairman, also desired to state that Mr G. L. Mellish had accepted the office of Governor, to which he had been elected.

Dr Turnbull brought under the notice of the Board the necessity of covering the earth under the floor of the Museum and Public Library with concrete, to the depth of some four inches, so as to prevent the exhalations rising in the buildings. This was being done at home with the public buildings there, and he hoped they would see their way clear to do it. The Rev C. Fraser moved—" That the suggestion of Dr Turnbull be remitted to the committee to consider the propriety of having the ground under the flooring of the new Museum and Public Library buildings covered with concrete, at a moderate expense, and, if practicable, to have the work done.” Dr Turnbull seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The chairman said that Dr Yon Haast had suggested the removal of the Maori House, which now projected beyond the front of the new building. The cost of the alteration would be about £2O, Mr Hamilton objected to any more money being spent upon this Maori house. Rev W. J. Habens thought they should ook upon this house as a large specimen; the only part of it worth looking at, the carved front, would, unless this was done, be entirely shut out, and all that would be seen would be galvanised iron. He would move—- “ That the director be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £2O for the alteration of the front of the Maori House, it being understood lhat the sum should not be taken from the Museum Building Fund.” Rev J. Buller seconded the motion. Rev W. J, Habens moved—“ That the Board declare a vacancy, and that nominations for same be received at next meeting.” At last meeting there were five vacancies, and only four elected. Rev C. Fraser seconded the motion. The Rev Mr Willock moved—“ That the decision on the matter of moving the Maori house be deferred for further information.” Mr Hamilton seconded the amendment. After some discussion, Rev Mr Habens withdrew his motion, and moved the following as an amendment—- “ That the JBoard has no objection to allow the director of the museum to make the alteration he desires in the Maori house, but that he be informed that the Board has no funds, either on account of building or maintenance, applicable to this object,” Rev J. Buller seconded the amendment, which on being put was carried. Rev Mr Habens moved—" That Mr Anthony be appointed as clerk of the works, according to Mr Mountfort’s recommendation,” The Primate seconded the motion, which was carried,. The chairman said that the committee recommended that the salary of the secretary, Mr Malet, be laised to £2OO. He and all the members of the Board of Governors knew that Mr Malet had a good deal of work, and they would not be able to get as much done for £2OO a year if they had to appoint another person. The Primate moved—" That the recommendation of the committee, that the secretary’s salary be .ncreasel to £2OO from the Ist of October, be adopted.” Mr Tancred seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The chairman said that as he now resided in the country it was incumbent upon him to resign the office of chairman of the Board of Governors. He did so reluctantly, but he felt that residing at such a distance from town he could not perform the duties efficiently. The Rev C. Fraser suggested that a vicechairman might be appointed, who would relieve his Honor of a good deal of the work. The chairman pointed out that practically this would be putting all the work of the chairman on to the vice-chairman. The Rev C. Fraser moved—" That the chairman’s resignation be taken into consideration at next meeting of the Board,” Mr Tosswill seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was resolved—" That a meeting should be called for next Tuesday week, to elect a chairman, in room of his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, resigned.” It was agreed that a College building committee be appointed to confer with the professors and the architect, for the designing of new plans, to be submitted to the Board at an early date, such committee to consist of the chairman, Messrs Tancred, J. N. Tosswill, Revs O. Fraser, W. J. Habens, and Dr Turnbull. The Rpard then adjourned.