136 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
College. In reply, the Secretary informed him such a course 
was out of the question. At his request a copy of the latest 
edition of the Register was forwarded. 
• The Secretary reported that, in consequence of a reduction 
in the number of candidates at the preliminary examinations, 
only thirteen of whom had presented themselves before the 
Board of Examiners, he placed himself in communication 
with Dr. Taylor, requesting to know whether one evening's 
examination would be sufficient. 
Dr. Taylor replied to the following effect, viz., that 
the question of admitting more than twelve candidates was 
decidedly opposed by the board of examiners. Two evenings 
were, therefore, occupied. 
The names of the five successful candidates from the Royal 
Veterinary College who had been admitted members of the 
body corporate were then read, together with those of the 
unsuccessful. Also the names of the examiners and ex officio 
members who were present at the meetings. 
Mr. Field asked why one student had been examined the 
second time in December last. He thought it was a very bad 
precedent. 
Mr. Wilkinson explained that it was at the request of 
Professor Spooner, who thought the first failure might have 
been occasioned by nervousness. 
Mr. Ernes considered such a proceeding contrary to the 
provisions of the Charter. The Council only had the fixing 
of the time and manner of the examinations, not the Board 
of Examiners. 
Professor Ganigee said, though no doubt it was very ob- 
jectionable, it had been frequently done in Scotland. 
Mr. Fleming thought, though the re-examination had 
been undertaken from the best of motives, the other rejected 
candidates had reason to complain. 
Mr. Wilkinson said it would not have been done but for 
the recommendation of the teachers. 
Professor Gamgee thought the teachers ought not to inter- 
fere in any case. Though it was understood that the teachers 
at the schools were ex officio members of the Board of Ex- 
aminers, the names of some teachers were omitted from the 
list. 
Mr. Wilkinson recommended that some communication 
should be made to the Chairman of the Examining Boards 
with reference to what had taken place. 
Mr. Robinson said the teachers were only present as 
teachers, not as examiners. If they were down in the Register 
as ex officio members it was wrong. 
