THE WOMBAT. 6j 



secretary to represent the council. The position of the college 

 and its fair claims to a larger grant were strongly urged by 

 the deputation, failing which (an increased grant) it was 

 stated that the college would have to be closed as it was 

 drifting into debt. Mr. Peacock, in reply, pointed out that 

 he had only a certain amount of money to allocate amongst 

 the technical schools. He thought also the council should 

 go into the question of administration. For instance they 

 were paying ^150 for a secretary, while their whole revenue 

 did not amount to over ^600. In some of the schools the 

 administration cost nothing. At Bairnsdale, Kyneton, and 

 other places where excellent work was being done, that was 

 particularly the case. Even at Ballarat, where matters were 

 conducted on a large scale, the cost of administration only 

 amounted to ^278 per annum. If, however, the council of the 

 college would go into the whole question of reducing the 

 administration and endeavouring to increase the number of 

 pupils, he would see what could be done, but they must act 

 promptly, as he would have to make the annual allocations 

 within a month. 



The council met last evening to receive the report of the 

 deputation, and after a careful consideration of the position, 

 it was decided to reduce the secretarial expenses and the 

 caretaker's allowance very considerably. Much sympathy 

 was felt for the two officers affected, as both of them had 

 been connected with the college since its inception, and had 

 worked well to promote its interests. The other recom- 

 mendations of the minister should engage the early attention 

 of the council, namely, the importance of increasing the 

 number of students and the question of a possible reduction 

 of fees as the attendance improved. 



On behalf of the council of the college, 



Geo. M. Hitchcock, 

 Geelong, 20/1/98. President. 



MUSEUM AND LIBRARY. 



The additions to the museum and library during 1897 show a 

 slight falling off from those for 1896, there being about 120 

 specimens and 200 publications for the later year, against 139 

 specimens and 265 publications for '96. This is exclusive of 

 technical journals in each case. Six of these have discon- 

 tinued their donations while twelve others have taken their 

 places, showing a net increase of six. There are now forty- 

 five journals to be seen in the reading room, of which 19 are 



