PROCEEDINGS IN COUNCIL. 
3 GO 
much inconvenience had resulted from the plan adopted by the Council at the 
suggestion of Mr. Wilkinson—namely, that of filling in the names of the suc¬ 
cessful candidates before the signatures of the President and two members of 
Council were attached. No mistake had ever occurred before the alteration was 
made, when the names were allowed to be filled in after the diplomas were signed ; 
* but by the present plan the members of the Council were sometimes put to con¬ 
siderable inconvenience, and a delay always occurred in the transmission of the 
documents to their owners. 
Professor Simonds gave notice of motion to alter the present by-law (which notice 
had been suspended the required period) relating to the examination fee. 
Professor Morton gave notice of motion that steps should be taken to obtain 
portraits or busts of the successive Presidents of the Royal College of Veterinary 
Surgeons. 
The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks proposed by Professor 
Simonds, and seconded by Professor Morton, to the Chairman. 
Special Council Meeting, May 25. 
Present—Professor Sewell, the President (in the Chair); Messrs. Baker, 
Burley, Cherry, A. Cherry, Dickens, Henderson, Mayer, Peech, 
Percivall, Robinson, Silvester, Turner, Varnell, Wilkinson; Pro¬ 
fessors Morton, Simonds, and Spooner ; and the Secretary. 
I 
The President thanked the Council for the honour conferred upon him by his 
election at their last meeting. He was glad to see around him so respectable a 
body of gentlemen connected with the institution, and he trusted that henceforward 
all parties would work harmoniously together. He hoped to attend the meetings 
as far as his health permitted, and to do all he possibly could in furtherance of the 
interests of the College. He hoped also that much benefit would accrue from the 
present amalgamation of the chartered body and the Royal Veterinary College, 
and that no future difficulties or collision between them would ever arise. 
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. 
The Secretary read answers from Messrs. Robb, Pyatt, G. Watts, jun., Rose, 
Baker, and Legrew, who were appointed Vice-Presidents at the last meeting: with 
the exception of Mr. Legrew, all these gentlemen accepted the office. 
Professor Simonds moved, in pursuance of a previous notice, that the exa¬ 
mination fee should be reduced from ten to six guineas, namely, five guineas 
for examination, and one guinea for admission. He said that, of late years 
the veterinary student was compelled to attend two full sessional courses of 
Lectures, which entailed upon him considerable expense; whereas formerly, 
six or eight months sufficed to enable him to pass his examination. Although 
the time of education had been extended, and additional lecturers appointed, 
the fee for admission had not been increased, so that a very great dispro¬ 
portion existed between the sum paid by the pupil for the instruction he 
received, and that which he paid for his examination. It had been said, and 
justly said, that it was necessary to raise the standard of the profession; but he 
was sure that would not be effected by making a money standard. Better edu¬ 
cated members were required; and often as much education was found amongst 
the comparatively needy as the wealthy classes, and frequently more. The ten 
guinea fee, he considered, acted as a preventive to young men entering the profes- 
