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THE WELSH AND EDUCATION.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.

THE "DAILY TELEGRAPH" ON WELSH…

REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN…

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WELSH EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

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WELSH EDUCATION CONFERENCE. (Continued from Supplement.) THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES. At the termination of the conference, a second confer- ence to be attended by the same, or by special delegates, was held, to consider the present position and prospects of the movement for the establishment of the University College of Wales." Mr Hugh Pugh, Pwllheli, a member of the Executive Committee, occupied the chair, and after a few preliminary remarks called upon the secretary, the Rev. D. Charles, B.A., to make a statement of the present position of the movement. The Rev. D. Charles read a statement of the establishment of the college, tracing it from its outset to the present time. The sums yet obtained were still far below the mark of 230,000, which they sought to attain in order to open the building. £ 5,600 was still due on the purchase money of the building to the North and South Wales Bank, and on this large sum in- terest had to be paid; but if all the subscribers would pay the amount which they had promised to contribute these arrears might easily be wiped off. Many had responded to the appeal which had been made, but too many had been mute: some denied the amount which was set opposite their names, others that they had made any promises at all; some of the subscribers had died; others were reduced in circumstances and could not pay, while there were a great number who declined to keep their promise until they saw the movement fairly started. Others withheld their subscription until such time as a Government grant should have been obtained, and when, of course, their money would not be so greatly needed. He thought that the nonconformists of Wales ought to come more forward in their offers of assistance-more es- pecially as the church people, as appeared from various letters which had appeared in the Western Mail, were anxious to turn St. David's College, at Lampeter, into a Welsh university in opposition to that which was proposed at Aberystwyth. His time as secretary to the movement had been spent in Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, and other towns, and also in the various Welsh counties. In Liverpool and Manchester great sums had been subscribed, and much interest manifested in the success and progress of the movement. At Festiniog, and in the Carnarvon- shire quarries, the movement had been taken up with great spirit; local committees had been formed to canvass the neighbourhood, public meeting iheld, and from that source he expected to receive a large sum. The committee had been put to very great expense in roofing the building, and in getting it ready for the admission of students at an early date. They had room now for between 60 and 70 students, the apartments being ready, with the exception of furnishing. He had received numerous applications for admission, and if the building could now be opened for students, there were 30 or 40 ready and anxious to enter at once. He thought it was desirab that a great effort should be made to have the building opened iu October next. He had suggested to the various congregations throughout the Principality that a collection of a penny a pew should be made, which would bring in about 91,000. The suggestion had, apparently, not met with much favour, as only one fifth of the number communicated with upon the subject had condescended to reply. This appeal, however, had not yet been sent to North Wales. A sum of £8,000 would enable them to start the institution, and surely that was a very small sum for the whole of the Welsh nation to raise. Had they no Welsh Peabodys or Morleys who would advance that sum, and have it repaid without in- terest. (Hear, hear.) He feared that people were beginning to get tired and discouraged in the work, and the institution must die if it were not at once taken up by the whole country; and then the Welsh would become the laughing stock of other countries, which would com- miserate and despise them. The secretary must have fellow workers he could not carry out this great national work without assistance, and he asked that volunteer can- vassers should be named to canvass Wales within the next six months. Should that attempt fail, no other attempt would be made for the establishment of a National College for Wales, for a generation at least, and an insti- tution which would be an honour to the Principality, and •onfer lasting benefits upon the Welsh nation, would fall to the ground for lack of auccour. Mr JOHN JENKINS (Llanidloes) said that he had paid one half of his subscription, and was willing to pay the remaining moiety at once. (Hear, hear.) He suggested that a proposition should be made, that the remaining subscriptions be paid on or before the first of May next. Mr JOHN SIBION thought that they should at once arrange for an organization throughout Wales, and appoint local committees to look up promised subscriptions, can- vass for new subscribers, and wait upon those, who, out of the abundance of their wealth should be able to give something to this great national cause. (Hear, hear.) Mr JOHN JENKINS (London) suggested that local com- mittees should be appointed for North and South Wales. Mr CORY, jun. (Cardiff), could not see upon what grounds Government would refuse to make a grant for a Welsh University. It might be two or three years before a grant could be obtained, but it was necessary that some strenuous steps should be taken, without further delay, in the immediate completion and carrying out of this estimable object. As a practical man he thought that they should try to bring about some practical means in order to start the College at once. Let them get in the smaller subscriptions, let all means be taken to collect the pounds, shillings, and pence, but as for the larger subscriptions of 2100, RM, and 2500, he thought that the subscribers of these large sums .should not be asked to give the amount, but rather to lend it. He could not see why they should be called upon to give these large amounts, when they had the whole country at their back. He suggested that a certain number of gentlemen should be named, who would offer to lend £ 250' each, free of interest. Thirty gentlemen giving a cheque each for that sum, would rea- lize a total of 27,500, and that would enable them to start the building at once. (Hear, hear.) He and his brother, he thought he might sty, would be glad to advance their 2250 each, free of interest, and to have security for the amount. If Parliament made a grant then they would have their advance returned; if Government declined they must have security. (Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN said that, with regard to the question of security, he had purchased the property for the committee, and the property stood in his name. He was quite willing to transfer the property to those gentlemen who would advance the money, and that would be the security. Mr CORY thought it feasible and desirable that there should be- security, and with security and a possibility of Government reimbursing them, no doubt fifty gentlemen would be willing to come forward and assist in opening the College. The Rev. D. CHARLES was very thankful to Mr Cory for his kind offer and for the suggestion which he had thrown out. The premises would be ample security, and by getting the money they would be ready to commence at once. He had that morning received a very kind letter from Mr Love Jones-Parry, M.P., who had subscribed the handsome amount of £ 100—(applause)—assuring him that his heart was in the cause, and that he would be glad to accompany the deputation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer or to the Premier, to make application for a Government grant. (Applause.) Mr GEE (Denbigh) thought the question of collecting subscriptions should, as far as possible, be taken out of Mr Charles's hands, as that gentleman, he was sure, must find his time fully occupied without being called upon to look up subscriptions. He suggested that a local com- mittee should be formed in Denbighshire and in other counties to collect these subscriptions, and that a list of subscribers in arrear should be sent to each local com- mittee. The Rev. ROBERT JONES (Rotherhithe), who attended on behalf of the Londun Committee, said that that body would be glad to carry out Mr Cory's suggestion. The Rev. J. GRIFFITH (rector of Neath) denied that the heads of Lampeter College had any views or ideas anta- gonistic to the interests of the institution at Aberystwyth. The idea had been worked up in the brain of some in- dividual who was troubled with cacoethes scribendi, and' his views should form no data tending to implicate an institution which had been so long established in the country as Lampeter College. He advocated the affilia- tion of Lampeter College with the proposed University at Aberystwyth on the degree of the London University. If those interested in Lampeter College knew of what was to be done by this meeting, they also might petition Govern- ment for a grant, and Government, to satisfy both, might refuse a grant to either. He trusted that united old Cambria would knock at the door of the Government, and shew that her inhabitants were now rising to the dignity of their requirements, and that they would not leave the door until the Government had marked, in the manner which it should do, the sincerity, patriotism, and loyalty always evinced by the inhabitants of Cambria. (Ap- plause.) In the course of his speech the rev. gentleman said, with regard to th- question which had been discussed at the conference on the previous day, he took the oppor- tunity of saying that he was most anxious to co-operate with those who took part in it, but had been deterred from attending through a misapprehension arising out of the terms of the circular of invitation, that a syllabus had been prepared, and those who attended were expected to endorse sentiments already agreed upon, and to adopt principles already decided. Had he known that the con- ference was open for free discussion he should have at- tended. The Rev. F. S. JOHNSTONE thought that there was a want of good middle-class schools in Wales, and that in consequence the drudgery work of these schools would have to be started in the college, which would not be Eleasant. He had waded through page after page of blue ooks looking after the charities, and he thought that if they could recover all the lost charities, they would amass a sum sufficient to educate every child in Wales. It was all very well to have an Endowed Schools Commission making enquiries, which resulted in a blue book being laid upon the shelf, but he contended that their enquiries ought to be followed up. Mr GEE then moved and it was reconded by Mr CORY, jun., "That it is the opinion of this meeting that the build- ing at Aberystwyth which has been purchased for the purposes of a University for Wales is of a collegiate character, and in every respect suitable and commodious; that Aberystwyth is central as regards the whole Principality; and that as the committee have pledged themselves that the education shall be entirely un- sectarian in its character, it is deserving of the warmest and most hearty support of the inhabitants of the United Kingdom in general, and of Wales in particular. The resolution was carried unanimously. The Rev. W. AMBROSE briefly expressed the interest he felt in the success of the undertaking, and hoped that every means would be made to ensure success. Mr JOHN JENKINS, Llanidloes, moved, and it was seconded by the Rev. JAMES JENKINS, Mayor of Newport, "That this conference recommends that a deputation do wait at an early period upon the Premier, to bring under his attention the claims of &the University College of Wales to a grant in aid, and that such deputation consist of the London Committee, and the following gentlemen, and that the Welsh members of Parliament be requested to _1. accompany the deputation:-Ile Rector of Neath, VT* Jenkins, Llanidloes, Rev. F. S. Johnstone, Merthyr, Mr Jones, Llwynygroes, Colonel Pryse, Mr Fryer, Lodge Park, Dr Sandwith, Rev. Kilsby Jones, Mr Mordecai Jones, Brecon, Mr Barnes, The'Quinta, Oswestry, Mr W. Owen, Haverfordwest; with power to add to their number." The resolution having been carried. Mr CORT, jun., moved, and it was seconded by Dr EDWARDS, "That seeing the very great desirability of finishing and opening the college at as early a date as pos- sible, resolved, that a proposal be made to obtain thirty gentlemen to lend £ 250 each, without interest, for a ?er^not. ex £ feding five years, upon the security of the building. This resolution having been carried, it was resolved That local committees be formed in all ther counties of Wales to assist the Rev. D. Charles in the collection of subscriptions, and for the holding of public meetings to advocate the claims of the University amongst the people of the Principality." Mr SULLY, Pontypool, advocated the grouping of theological halls round the central College, upon the plan of the Scotch Universities, and moved a resolution to that effect. At Pontypool they would work for the object which the motion had in view, and doubtless the other theological colleges which were scattered up and down the length and breadth of the country might adopt similar news. Mr JENKINS, London, seconded the resolution, which was supported by the Rev. Alfred Tilly. The Rev. GRIFFITH DAVIES, Aberystwyth, thought that it was hardly probable that the existing buildings would be removed to Aberystwyth it might be done in Chicago, but nowhere else, he thought. (Laughter. > Then again! did they suppose that those interested in the colleges would care to leave the buildings, which had proved them- selves so eminently adapted for their purposes, to come and settle in Aberystwyth, and probably have to incur the expense of erecting a new hull. He thought that the more feasable plan would be to instruct the secretary to communicate with the heads of the various theological colleges in the Principality, and get them to send their students to- the Welsh University for two years, before they entered upon their theological studies, for the pur- pose of receiving their secular education. The- College having imparted their secular education, then they might go to their various halls, and prosecute their theological studies. It was resolved that the Secretary of the College communicate with the heads of the various theolbgical colleges in Wales, with a view to holding a conference to discuss the subject. Some formal resolutions having been moved, the con- ference, whose members towards the latter part of the proceedings had greatly thinned, rose, and the meeting closed about three o'clock.

Family Notices

ABERYSTWYTH.

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