ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 249 
schools, but at the London College a rejected pupil was ex- 
pected to pass a preliminary examination again. Some of the 
rejected pupils had considered that they were at liberty to 
make use of the first certificate to admit them to a subsequent 
examination without undergoing a further examination on 
the part of their teachers. This was very objectionable, 
because a young man who failed in May might actually be 
even more ignorant at the Christmas examination. He had 
known instances of this kind. All the schools ought to re- 
examine the rejected pupils. 
Mr. Wilkinson said he knew that in Scotland, unless the 
preliminary examination was passed, no certificate was given. 
Professor Dick's refusal to grant certificates to some pupils 
who failed at that examination at one time led to considerable 
difficulty. 
The election of two members of the Scottish section of the 
Court of Examiners, in the room of Mr. Wm. Cockburn, 
resigned, and Mr. John Lawson, deceased, was then proceeded 
with. 
Mr. Wilkinson : With your permission I will name two 
gentlemen whose eligibility for this appointment I have taken 
some trouble to ascertain. At the last meeting of the Coun- 
cil the gentlemen belonging to Scotland who are working 
with us expressed their anxiety that the Council should elect 
Scotchmen, that is, graduates of Scotch schools. The two 
gentlemen whom I am about to name are, to all intents and 
purposes, as eligible as can be, and though I do not for 
one moment lay it down as a principle by which we should 
be governed at all times, that the members of the Scotch 
Board should be Scotchmen and those of the English Board 
Englishmen, still, as we are now in a state of transition, when 
a better feeling is prevailing, and when there is a likelihood 
of removing obstacles which have held back the profession for 
the last twenty years, I think we ought to meet the wishes 
of those 'who so strongly expressed themselves on the subject. 
The first gentleman I wish to name is Mr. Alex. Robinson, 
of Greenock. He is now a member of the Board of Exa- 
miners of the Highland and Agricultural Society. He is a 
gentleman who has been very strong in his sentiments and 
feelings in favour of Scotland and the charter; but I am 
happy to say that, after a little explanation and argument, 
he is now prepared to resign his post at the Board of the 
Agricultural Society, and to become a member of our Exa- 
mining Board. 
Professor Spooner : Is he a member of the corporate 
body ? 
