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ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
Glasgow Veterinary College, 
83 & 85, Buccleuch Street, 
Garnethill, Glasgow. 
W. H. Coates, Esq. December 25th, 1879. 
Dear Sir, —I am in the receipt of your favour regarding the matri- 
eulatory examination of veterinary pupils, and after consulting with 
Principals Walley and Williams, I cannot see my way to approve of the 
scheme which you have submitted to me under the authority of the 
Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Some time ago 
I had the honour of a visit from Col. Fitzwygram, and in course of con¬ 
versation he asked if I would be willing to come to an understanding 
with the other colleges as to the standard of qualification and other 
conditions upon which students would be admitted to the colleges, and 
to which I gladly replied in the affirmative ; but it is something very 
different to desire me, as you have now done, to hand over the power 
which this College possesses of fixing the conditions upon which pupils 
will be admitted to the undisputed control and authority of the Council 
of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. 
That there is an urgent necessity for the colleges uniting and fixing 
a uniform educational test I freely grant, but the colleges, in my 
opinion, can carry through this reform without calling in the aid of the 
Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and a step in that 
direction has already been taken; but should it fail in accomplishing the 
objects sought, I shall be glad to submit the point or points in dispute to 
the decision of your Council. I am, 
Yours truly, 
James McCall, 
Principal. 
Prof. Simonds moved that the four letters now read be placed upon the 
minutes. 
Mr. Dray seconded the motion, which was carried. 
Prof. Walley said he wished to correct a mistake in the minutes. It 
had been stated that he had laid the matriculation scheme before the 
Trustees, but he had done no such thing. The matter had never been 
brought before the Trustees at all, but simply before the College Council, 
which usually dealt with these matters. 
Mr. Greaves thought it would be an advantage to each college if the 
question of preliminary examination was left in the hands of the Royal 
College of Veterinary Surgeons. It would be a matter of much regret 
if the schools did not act in concert. He feared that if the matter was 
left to the colleges there would be a sort of feeling of rivalry and com¬ 
petition that would step in and prevent them acting in concert. Notwith¬ 
standing Professor McCall’s letter he (Mr. Greaves) thought that 
gentleman might be induced to leave the matter in the hands of the 
Council, which would be a great advantage to the profession. 
Mr. Fleming thought it was a matter of regret that Professor McCall 
had dissented from the arrangement. If there was one thing more 
necessary than another it was that there should be a uniform system of 
education. It was a mere elementary education which the Royal 
College asked for, and he was sure that no school having the welfare of 
the profession at heart would object to its students being submitted to 
an examination. He trusted Professor McCall would see his way to 
join the other schools in acceding to the proposal, which was made 
entirely for the good of the profession, and would, if carried out, do 
much for the benefit of the schools themselves. 
