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The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [April 
of the University, so well told in Professor G. E. Thompson’s recently 
published book, gives a vivid impression of the enthusiasm for learning 
possessed by the men of Otago over fifty years ago, and the manner in 
which they triumphed over the many difficulties in the path of its attain¬ 
ment. The interest of the jubilee was greatly increased by the presence 
at the celebrations of several who were indeed seeing the fruit of their 
labours in its present prosperity. Notable among these were Sir W. Fraser, 
who was a member of the Provincial Council that founded the University, 
and Sir Eobert Stout, who was the first to enrol as a student of the University, 
and who has ever since maintained an active interest in its advancement. 
The opening ceremony was a service in First Church on Tuesday, 
the 3rd February, at which an address was given by the Moderator of. the 
Presbyterian Assembly, himself an old student of the University. The 
solemnity was rendered tragic by the sudden death of Dr. Gilray through 
heart-failure while reading the second lesson. Dr. Gilray was the Senior 
Professor, having for thirty years held the Chair of English, and one 
whose character and influence upon university life was wonderfully in 
tune with the splendid chapter (I Corinthians, xiii) that he was reading 
when the last summons came. His death cast a gloom over the rest of 
the proceedings. 
On the following day there was a reception of the delegates presenting 
addresses of congratulation from the universities of the United Kingdom, 
Canada, Australia, and the other University colleges in New Zealand, 
while many other addresses were received from universities which were 
not represented in person. Among the most interesting of these were the 
addresses from the Universities of Brussels, Louvain, and Strassburg, which 
were read. The Chancellor, Dr. Cameron, in acknowledging these, announced 
the receipt also, as jubilee funds, of amounts totalling £14,000, for the 
use of the Medical School, for general scholarships, and other purposes. 
At a later gathering he was able to announce the receipt of two other 
gifts of £1,000 each from medical professors, in appreciation of the work 
done in that department and for the furthering of its interests. 
In the evening of the same day a conversazione was held at the 
University, many exhibits being displayed in the scientific departments, 
while an interesting lecturette was given by Professor Benham, F.E.S. 
On Thursday morning the Hon. Sir Robert Stout gave an address on 
the relation of education to the community as it was realized by those who 
founded our educational systems, and as it must be realized in the future 
if we work successfully towards the solution of its many problems—scientific, 
economic, and social. 
The Hon. Sir James Allen, in replying to the toast of the Ministry and Par¬ 
liament at the University dinner held the following evening, urged in other 
phrases the need for broad training and education in those who would rightly 
lead the country, and also the duty the educated man owes to the community 
to take an active interest in the guidance of its public policy. Replying to 
the same toast, the Hon. Sir W. Fraser recalled the proceedings in the Pro¬ 
vincial Council that founded the University, in which he had taken part. 
In reviewing the story of the foundation of the University, its early 
difficulties and their gradual solution, the succession of notable men who 
guided the University’s policy and who taught in its halls, the strong 
influence it has had on the life of the community, and the fine record of 
the men that have gone forth from it, there is indeed grounds for com¬ 
mendation of the wisdom and faith of its founders; and in its present 
vigour, the number of branches of learning in which it gives instruction. 
