The London Welshman

UNIVERSITY OF WALES. MEETING OF THE COURT AT BALA. The Court of the University of Wales assembled at Bala last Thursday. Sir Isambard Owen, the senior Deputy Chancellor presided over a large number of members. Lampeter College New Charter. The Clerk of the Privy Council invited the observations of the Court in reference to a pro- posed addition of four members to the Council of Lampeter College, two of whom were to be appointed by the Court of the University of Wales. It was explained by the Deputy Chancellor that Lampeter College was now accepted as a theological college in connection with the University. Sir T. Marchant Williams failed to under- stand the meaning of the application to the Court. Was there to be a scheme by which the powers of Lampeter College would be enlarged ? The Deputy Chancellor said it was proposed to reorganise the governing body, and the University Court were invited to appoint two members upon it. The Rev. Llewelyn Davies: Are we, as a Court, if we do that, taking any responsibility or having any share in the government of the College ? Sir Marchant Williams asked if it were not possible that hereafter the College might use the fact that two of its governors were appointed by the University of Wales to establish a claim to a recognition of its degrees as equal to those of the University. Professor Anwyl asked if there was any condi- tion in the constitution of the College that its governors should belong to any particular Church or denomination. 1 The Deputy Chancellor said there was already one member at least of the Governing Body at Lampeter who was not a member of the Church of England. Dr. Aaron Davies remarked that Lampeter. was a denominational college, and if they accepted a share in its government they would at once contravene their charter. Mr. Austin Jenkins said they were not now asked to appoint the representatives, but to express an opinion upon the proposal that they should be authorised to make such appoint- ments. That was a powerful argument for deliberation, and he moved that the matter be considered at the next meeting, and that a copy of the scheme be supplied to each member of the Court. The Deputy Chancellor explained that the Privy Council would deal in a short time with the scheme, and whatever reply the Court had to make must be made promptly. Mr. Henry Lewis (Bangor) moved that four members of the Court be requested to consider the draft scheme, and report after the adjourn- ment. Principal John Rhys seconded that, as some of the questions dealt with in the scheme were very pressing. The present system was very tiresome, and had come down from the time when the visitor did almost anything. He did not think there was a trap in any way for the Court, as the matter all arose through the College coming into the University scheme for theological examination. Principal Reichel said the desire was, in a sense, to come under the fegis of the University. Any similar application from any other college would be treated by the Court, no doubt, in the same way. Mr. T. Roberts (Swansea) Are you going to put Lampeter in a different position from that of other denominational colleges ? The Deputy Chancellor pointed out that Lampeter had invited these appointments and the other colleges had not. It was then decided to adopt the suggestion of Mr. Henry Lewis. Later in the day Principal T. F. Roberts communicated to the Court the report of the Sub-Committee. He said he thought the Court should comply with the request, and urged that any other college should receive similar con- sideration. irrespective of creed.—The report was adopted, and a resolution was passed extending a similar advantage to any college desirous of applying. Elections. The Court proceeded to elect a Senior Deputy Chancellor for the ensuing year. A ballot was taken after several speeches had been given which were regarded as private. It was understood that Sir T. Marchant Williams ex- pressed a desire that there should be a Senior Deputy Chancellor residing in Wales. Sir Isambard Owen received 33 votes, and Lord Kenyon 18 votes. Sir Isambard, who had been absent during the election, returned to the chair amid applause. He thanked the Court for the appointment. How much longer it would be in his power to serve the Univer- sity he did not know, but as long as it was possible his services were at the disposal of the University. Lord Kenyon was unanimously re-elected. Junior Deputy Chancellor. "The Academic Element." The Court proceeded to elect the members of the Executive Committee, and the Deputy Chancellor announced from the chair that it had been the practice hitherto to include one professor from each constituent college among the elective members of the Committee. Sir T. Marchant Williams protested against that statement being made from the chair. If three professors were elected they would give with the ex-officio members a majority of the Executive Committee to the academic element. That was making the academic element too strong. He had no objection to the professors being elected, but let them be chosen on their merits. The Deputy Chancellor pointed out that the deputy chancellor and the treasurer, who were ex-officio members, could not be regarded as academic. Sir T. Marchant Williams But they always vote with that element. Professor E. Edwards (Aberystwyth) said he regretted the way in which the Warden of the Guild of Graduates tried to raise enmity or hostility between the academic and other mem- bers of the Court. On behalf of the so-called academic members he wished to make a serious protest. The ballot for the election of the standing Executive Committee resulted in the appoint- ment of the following :-Professor Anwyl,, Alderman S. N. Jones, Sir J. Williams, Mr. T. John, Mr. Owen Owen, Lady Verney, Colonel Pryce-Jones, Sir T. Marchant Williams, Mr. D.