182 
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL. 
Mr. Robinson said that Mr. Mayer and himself were the 
only examiners who would be affected by such a resolution. 
For himself he would rather give his services gratuitously 
than have his travelling expenses paid, and he felt sure that 
Mr. Mayer participated in that feeling. He hoped, therefore, 
that the motion would be withdrawn. 
The motion was withdrawn accordingly. 
Prof. Simonds proposed, “that the present sj 7 stem of 
nominal examination, hitherto adopted by the Board of 
Examiners, for those who were in practice before the obtain- 
ment of the charter, be discontinued after the present ses- 
sion.” The motion, he said, had reference to certain persons 
who had attended the lectures of the College, and after car- 
rying on practice for some years in the country without a 
proper qualification, presented themselves for examination at 
the Board. Such persons, having obtained certificates from 
the teachers as to their previous attendance, had hitherto 
been allowed to pass a nominal examination ; and the result, 
he feared, had been that persons not perfectly qualified, had 
been admitted into the profession. No perfect record having 
been kept of the pupils’ attendance, and Prof. Sewell being- 
dead,. the present teachers were at times unable to certify 
from their own knowledge, of the applicant’s attendance, and 
had to depend upon the statements of the parties themselves, 
which was not desirable. Nominal examinations might be 
admissible, and even desirable, in certain cases, at an early 
period of an institution’s existence ; but if such a system were 
continued it would lead to endless abuses, and he was there- 
fore desirous of limiting to the present session the privilege 
which had been extended to former pupils of the College who 
had entered into practice without obtaining their diplomas. 
Mr. Ernes seconded the motion, and expressed his surprise 
that such a system should have been so long permitted. 
Mr. Stocldey , Mr. Sylvester , and Mr. Pritchard thought the 
system should cease at once. 
Mr. Lichens proposed, as an amendment, “That from this 
date no person shall be admitted a member of the Royal Col- 
lege of Veterinary Surgeons by a nominal examination.” 
Mr. Varnell seconded the amendment, which, on being put 
to the meeting, w r as carried ; the original motion, therefore, 
was lost. 
The Secretary read the report of the House Committee. 
“The repairs required in the residence taken for the 
College, being now completed, it is prepared for their recep- 
tion ; £40 has been paid for the lease and fixtures, and £60 
to the builder on account ; the balance owing has not yet been 
