598 
SITTINGS OF THE COUNCIL. 
Mr. Ernes said he considered the present mode of examining 
candidates very objectionable. The time was too short, and the 
general method adopted was not sufficiently stringent. He sug- 
gested that the students should be examined, in part, by means of 
written questions, which they should draw from a vase, and answer 
at once (in writing) without access to books. His object was to 
do away with the present system of grinding. 
The Secretary said the question had been considered at some 
length, and, though some alterations were deemed advisable, it 
was concluded that the time had not yet arrived when they could 
be carried out. Besides, a total re-organization of the Board 
would be needed before the alterations could be effected. 
Mr. A. Cherry thought this was not a subject for a by-law, but 
one to be regulated by the Council as they might think proper. 
He thought it best that the clause should remain indefinite. 
Mr. Wilkinson complained of the shortness of the examinations, 
and thought the time was arrived when the required alterations 
might be carried into effect. 
Mr. J. Turner said the pupils were occasionally examined, in 
writing, by the present system. 
Mr. Ernes moved that the examinations should be, in part, by 
writing ; but afterwards withdrew the resolution. 
In the discussion on law 41, 
Professor Simonds proposed that the least time for which a 
pupil could be rejected by the Examiners should be three months 
(as was usual in other colleges), instead of five months. Practi- 
cally, he said, the rejection would be for five months, seeing that 
that was the interval between the examination in December and 
that in May ; but he could conceive of cases occurring in which 
pupils, who were deficient, perhaps, on one or two minor points 
only, would appty for and go to the expense of having a special 
examination in order to save two months’ time ; in case, for 
instance, of an appointment in the army or elsewhere presenting 
itself for immediate acceptance. 
Professor Morton seconded the proposal. 
The Secretary was desirous that the time should also be 
shortened with reference to pupils examined in May, and now re- 
jected to December. He thought the pupils might study at home, 
and prepare for re-examination without attending at College again. 
Prof. Simonds thought this impracticable, though he did not 
doubt that much good might be done by private reading and re- 
search. In the summer months animals could not be dissected, and 
thus no progress could be made in practical anatomy, in which 
pupils were frequently deficient. 
On the motion of Mr. A. Cherry , seconded by Mr. Wilkinson , 
