82 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



for the fact that the Board of Eegents of Victoria University had not 

 the final power to deal with it. They were required by their charter 

 to report to the General Conference of the Church and there the ques- 

 tion was to be finally determined. At the same time the Board was 

 honestly favourable to the scheme and took measures at once to secure 

 amendment of its defects in order to present it as favourably as 

 possible to the supreme body. 



These measures however were of partial avail. 



A 3''ea.r elapsed without anything more than a formal acknowledg- 

 ment of the receipt of the representation of the Board of Eegents. In 

 view of the approaching General Conference a meeting of the Board of 

 Eegents was summoned for Feb. 11th, 1886, and a deputation appointed 

 to wait on the Government to ascertain, if possible, their intentions 

 from a definite communication, on which the Board could take action 

 and which might be laid before the General Conference. Such a com- 

 munication was promised so soon as the pressure of public business 

 would permit. On the 10th day of May the Board met and Dr. Nelles 

 could only report that he had received a private note from the IMiinister 

 of Education which he was therefore unable to lay before the Board. 

 The Chairman of the Board was then instructed to write to the Premier 

 Sir Oliver Mowat requesting an authoritative answer, and the Board 

 adjourned to the 21st of May to receive the same. On the 20th of May 

 the answer was received bearing date March 20th, 1886. The letter 

 stated : 



1. That "if for the present Victoria alone should come in, the 

 Government will not be deterred from talcing the steps necessary to 

 bring the scheme into practical operation." 



" With regard to equitable compensation to the colleges for the 

 losses incident to entering federation, it is our hope and expectation 

 that on the whole there will be no loss but great gain. It is to be 

 borne in mind that the legislative action of the province hitherto and 

 the prevailing sentiment of the people are against grants to denomina- 

 tional colleges, I refer you to the recent letter of the Minister of Educa- 

 tion to Dr. Nelles on the subject of a site in the park. You have received 

 a copy of this letter and are at liberty to communicate it to your Board. 

 While we may deal with the matter of a site as Mr. Eoss mentions I hope 

 that any further compensation will not be regarded as necessary, 

 desirable or practicable. 



" With regard to changes in the basis we should be glad to accede 

 to any approved alteration, which would make the scheme more accept- 

 able to Victoria and to the other parties interested. But I am sure you 

 will recognize the propriety of the Government not committing itself 

 to any details of this kind without first giving to all the colleges an 



