8.—7

4

scheme of study this subject is omitted. In a valuable communication laid before the Committee Mr. Waters raises the question of the amendment of the statutes of the New Zealand University as regards the metallurgical course for the B.Sc. degree. This is a difficult but all-important question, and must be seriously faced, and at once. As in every other department of the University the want of money is sorely felt in the Mining School. Professor Park asks for a workshop for the students. Mr. Waters pleads for more room, more bench accommodation, and water and gas fixings. He also requires a smaller cyanide-plant, a small chlorination leaching-plant (which may be used for teaching purposes), also a small roasting-furnace. He estimates that for £50 the immediate needs of his department could be met. Mr. Waters further recommends that the Council should sell the present stamper-battery and cyanide-plant and replace them with a battery and plant more suited to our needs. After considering all the suggestions made your Committee resolved to make the following recommendations to the Council: — (1) That the plan of study as amended be adopted ; (2) that special classes in practical drawing be held at the University as recommended by Professor Park, and that an extra fee be charged for the same; (3) that so far as possible the subjects of instruction in the School of Mines be taught up to the B.Sc. standard; (4) that a Committee be appointed to confer with the teaching staff of the School of Mines as to the amendments required in the statutes of the New Zealand University for the B.Sc. degree, and to prepare an amended scheme and forward the same to the Senate at its meeting in Dunedin in February next; (5) that a seat on the Professorial Board be given to Dr. Marshall; (6) that the sum of £50 be voted to the School of Mines to be expended under the direction of the Mining Committee ; (7) that all orders for supplies and requisites for the School of Mines be submitted to the Director, who shall present them to the Council. The recommendations were adopted by the Council. Finance. —In the annual report of last year attention was drawn to the extremely unsatisfactory position of the University finances. The Council appointed one or two additional members to the Financial Committee, and requested the Committee to go fully into the subject. The following is a copy of their report:— Your Committee were instructed to go into the financial position of the University and to report thereon. We have examined the balance-sheets for the last eight years, and we find, after making allowance for items fairly chargeable to capital, that the ordinary expenditure has exceeded the receipts by £1,214 3s. Id., or on the average £151 15s. 4d. per annum. Particulars of the receipts and expenditure for each year are appended to this report. We submit an estimate of receipts and expenditure (not including any receipts and expenditure on account of capital) for the year ending 31st March, 1902, which shows a probable deficiency of £41 14s. 4d. This would have been larger but for an extra vote of £250 made by Parliament on account of the School of Mines. We estimate the ordinary receipts for the year ending 31st March, 1903, to be £9,281 2s. 4d., and the ordinary expenditure to be £9,429 16s. 5d., leaving a deficiency of £148 14s. Id. We find that the overdraft at the bank is at this date (14th December, 1901) approximately £700, and that the General Account owes to special funds (particulars of which are attached) the sum of £522 10s. 9d. These two amounts total £1,222 10s. 9d., approximating closely to the deficiency for the eight years previously referred to—viz., £1,214 3s. Id. We recommend (1) that immediate steps be taken to bring the expenditure within the receipts. Having examined carefully the present expenditure, and having noted what has been done in the past in reducing salaries, &c, we have to report that we do not see how any further reductions in salaries, &c, can be made of any moment. Also, that the Council is now bound to face this unfortunate position —namely, having to dispense with one or more of its faculties. We therefore recommend that (a) a saving of £25 per annum be made in the salary of theLecturer on French ; (b) a saving of £25 per annum in the cost of laboratory materials and apparatus ; (c) a saving of £100 per annum by doing away with the two lectureships in the Law School. If this is not sufficient, then the Council will have to consider seriously the question of closing the Mining School as soon as our engagements with the teaching staff and students will permit. We also recommend that the Council should ask the City Council to remit the water-rates on he Museum, or make an annual vote equivalent to the amount paid. This may be urged on the ground that the Museum is a public city institution, upon which the University Council has had to expend up to the present date over £500 of University money over and above the revenue derived from the Museum endowment. Also that the city and suburban members of the Legislative Council and of the House of Representatives be invited to meet the Council, and that they be urged to ask the Government to place on the estimates next year a sum of £1,200 to meet the deficiency in revenue shown above. Also that some absolutely necessary repairs to the spouting, downpipes, pointing, steps, fencing, and painting be undertaken at once to prevent further damage to the buildings. We think that it would be well to have a report on the drains either from the House Committee or from some expert. The open water-channel round the building has been neglected, and should at once be cleaned and kept clean. The reductions we have recommended, if adopted, we estimate will just make the receipts and expenditure balance, leaving nothing for development. Previous reports to the Council have shown how urgently further revenue is needed —more especially in extending the teaching and laboratory accommodation for the Medical School. In fact, for some years past nearly all the faculties have been starved owing to want of means. The report was accompanied by a table showing the items of receipts and expenditure for the last eight years, a statement of estimated revenue and expenditure for 1902, and a memorandum of special funds in General Account. Acting on the recommmendations of this report, the Council terminated the appointments of the lecturers in the Law School,