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Eepobt of "the Chaibman of the Pkofessoriae Board. The present seems a suitable occasion for laying before you a few facts connected with the progress of the University of Otago during the past few years. For the purpose of a brief review, I take the last five years—i.e., from 1894 to 1898, inclusive. Beginning with the number of students in attendance, I find that it has steadily increased during these five years—the total numbers being 211 in 1894, 226 in 1895, 234 in 1896, 257 in 1897, and 269 in 1898. In dealing with scholarships, honours, and degrees, I reckon them according to the year m which the candidates sat for examination. During the last five years our students have gained twenty scholarships, which gives an average of four for each year; six students have taken the degree of Master of Arts with first-class honours; and twenty-two students have taken the same degree with second-class honours A distinction very rarely taken in connection with the New Zealand University is the diploma that confers honours in science. No student in any of the colleges took_ it between 1894 and 1897 At the examination in 1898, however, two of our students took this diploma, one with first-class and the other with second-class honours. During the five years we are considering thirty-six of our students took the degree of Master of Arts, fifty-six the degree of Bachelor of Arts one the degree of Doctor of Science, thirteen the degree of Bachelor of Science, one the degree of Doctor of Laws, eight the degree of Bachelor of Laws, fifteen the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and one the degree of Doctor of Medicine. This gives a total of 131 degrees, which yields an'average of twenty-six for each year. It is gratifying to find that so large a number of our Bachelors of Arts proceed to the higher degree of Master of Arts. Some may be surprised that, in a school so well attended as the Medical School, only fifteen have taken the degree of Bachelor ot Medicine This, however, is easily explained. A large proportion of our medical students, after spending a few years with us, go to Britain—generally to Edinburgh-to finish their medical studies, where many of them have carried off high distinctions, and have thus done credit to their early training. In regard to scholarships and honours, Canterbury College and the University of O ago are pretty equal during the five years under review. Canterbury College has gained nineteen scholarships for our twenty ; eleven of her students have taken the degree of Master of Arts or the diploma in science with first-class honours for our seven, whereas in the degree of Master of Arts and the diploma in science with second-class honours we are exactly equal—twenty-three each It will thus be seen that there is practically no difference, except m first-class honours, where Canterbury College has the advantage. In justice to the local institution, however, it should be mentioned that Canterbury College has enjoyed two great advantages over the other New Zealand University Colleges. It has two high schools under the direct .control of its governing body • and, owing to its exceptionally favourable geographical position, it is fed by a much larger number of high schools than any of the other University Colleges. I trust that all contests between ointeAury College and the University of Otago, whether in scholarship or athletics, will always be conducted in a spirit of friendly rivalry, and with the most perfect good humour. We are both aiming at the elevation of our New Zealand youth; and in both cases the results show that the two institutions are doing excellent work, and are entitled to enjoy the confidence of the public. Among the honours gained by previous Otago graduates during the period under review, the following are worthy of special mention :—Mr. Don has taken the degree of Doctor of Science, CSilne has taken the degree of Doctor of Laws; Dr. Chappie has taken the degree of Doctor of Medicine ■ Mr Mellor has gained the Exhibition 1851 Science Scholarship, of the value of £150, tenable fo two years; Mr. Adams has passed the Indian Civil Service Examination; and Mr. Smond has been appointed Professor of Law in the University of Adelaide. A Posing feature of our University history during recent years is the great success of the Mining School, the a tendance at which is steadily rising from year to year. It is gratifying to know that many young men trained in the school are now occupying good positions m various parts, o the world I have much pleasure in mentioning that the school received, some time ago, a valuable gift of LScTs and balances from the Hon. A. Lee Smith, M.L.C., who presented them in comwith the wish of his son, a promising student in the school, whose β-lydeath is deeply regretted by all who Jmew him. The chief change in the teaching staff hat has takel pfaoe recently was caused by the death of our lamented colleague, Dr Parker, whose great services to the University and to science were suitably recognised at the time b7 the Press and by various public bodies. Shortly after his death a careful and sympathetic appreciation of his life-work appeared in Nature, which was written by his friend, Professor P Howes and, not long after his death?scientific literature was enriched by the publication S an elaborate and beautifully illustrated " Text-book of Zoology," prepared by Dr. Parker.and Professor Haswell of Sydney University. During Dr. Parker's illness, and during the time that Sansed between hi ? death and the arrival of Dr. Benham in the colony, very valuable services Se rendered to the University by two of our own graduates Mr. Tennant and Mr. Mawson, who rccessfully conducted classes in botany and biology. Dr. Heinemann, the lecturer on German, Kβ resiened his appointment at the beginning of the present session, his place was taken by ano hfr oTour graduates, Mr. Howell, an Iccomplished German scholar whose class, however, offers from the fact that the teaching of German is almost entirely abandoned in Otago schools. It is to be Zed that we are on the eve of a revival of this important study. A number of our ablest young men after passing through our University Colleges, now go to Europe to pursue th ei r studLaTdiTTs'a great disadvantage to them that they have no opportunity here of learning German Every Student knows that it is impossible to get to the bottom o almost any subject without a knowledge of German. As the present is a time of great commercial prosperity in he Tolonv it may not be out of place if I indicate in a word or two the most pressing needs o the IlS'stv Our library is deplorably behind the times. The University Council is unable to Slow an for its extension, and it is not too much to say that it would require £100 a