Leave of Absence.

21. In the month of February leave of absence for a period of six months was granted to the Hon. Edmund Barton, M.A., who had been appointed by the Government of New South Wales to proceed to England as Federal Delegate in connection with the consideration by the Imperial Parliament of the Australian Commonwealth Bill. The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon Mr. Barton, while in England, by the University of Cambridge.

Vacancy in Senate.

22. In the month of May the seat of Alexander Oliver, Esq., M.A., upon the Senate became vacant by reason of his nonattendance at the meetings of the Senate for a period of six months. That gentleman had been absent from Sydney upon a Royal Commission, which necessitated his presence in different parts of the colony, and application had not been made for leave of absence.

A Convocation of Electors of the University was held upon the 9th of June to fill the vacancy, when Alexander Oliver, Esq., was re-elected without opposition.

F. L. S. Merewether, Esq.

23. The Senate has to report with regret the death of F. L. S. Merewether, Esq., at an advanced age in England. He was one of the original Members of the Senate, was ViceChancellor from 1854 to 1862, and Chancellor from 1862 to 1865. He took a very prominent part in the inauguration of the University and its management during the first years of its existence, and it is in a great measure due to his experience and foresight that the University possesses the suitable and handsome buildings which are now occupied for the Faculty of Arts and for Administration.

The Chancellor.

24. The Triennial election to the office of Chancellor took place in the month of March, and resulted in the unanimous reelection of the Hon. Henry Normand MacLaurin, M.A., LL.D., M.D.

The Vice-Chancellor.

25. The annual election to the office of Vice-Chancellor in the month of April, resulted in the unanimous election of the Hon. Sir Arthur Renwick, B.A., M.D.

Staff Appointments, &c.

26. Professor Walter Scott, M.A., the Professor of Greek, to whom leave of absence for the year 1900, had been granted on account of continued ill health, communicated with the Senate in the month of August and tendered his resignation of the Chair.

The Senate received and accepted his resignation with great regret and placed the following resolution upon its minutes :"That the resignation of Professor Scott be accepted, and that a letter be written expressing the regret of the Senate that ill health has compelled him to retire, and assuring him that the excellent work which he did, and his influence for good amongst the students, which was always so great, will not soon be forgotten."

In order to fill the vacancy thus created, applications were invited in Australia and the United Kingdom, and the AgentGeneral for New South Wales in London was requested to receive the applications of all candidates.

The Senate at the same time invited the Right Hon. the Earl of Jersey, G.C.M.G., and Professor Scott, M.A., to act as an advisory Committee, with power to add to their number, and to select the names of the three candidates whose applications appeared to be most suitable. The Earl of Jersey was unfortunately unable to act on the Committee, in consequence of a projected visit to India, but with the entire approval of the Senate he nominated Sir William Anson, Bart., D.C.L. Warden of All Souls College, and lately Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Member of the House of Commons for the University, to act in his place.

A large number of applications was received, and from the three names submitted by the Committee, the Senate selected and appointed William John Woodhouse, Esq., M.A., at present Lecturer in Ancient History and Political Philosophy in the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

Mr. Woodhouse has had a very distinguished academic career at the University of Oxford, has spent a considerable time in Archæological and Topographical research in Greece, and has proved himself to be a most successful teacher. He has presented testimonials from many distinguished scholars in the United Kingdom showing that he is a classical scholar of very high rank and highly qualified for the Chair to which he has been appointed.

Professor Woodhouse is expected to enter upon his duties on the 1st of June. In the meantime, the lectures upon Greek will be delivered by the Assistant Lecturer in Latin, Mr. F. Lloyd, B.A., LL.B., while Mr. W. H. W. Nicholls, B.A., has been appointed Acting Assistant Lecturer in Latin for Lent Term in lieu of Mr. Lloyd.

27. The Lecturer in Surgery, Dr. Alexander MacCormick, and the Lecturer in Clinical Medicine, Dr. R. Scot-Skirving, having volunteered for active service at the seat of war in South Africa early in the year, leave of absence from their duties at the University was granted to them for the necessary period, the lectures upon Surgery being undertaken by Dr. C. P. B. Clubbe, and those upon Clinical Medicine by Dr. E. J. Jenkins, the Medical Tutor, whose duties in turn were undertaken by Dr. G. E. Rennie.

28. In consequence of the large increase in the number of students in the School of Mines, a special Demonstrator for Assaying and Chemistry was appointed in London through the assistance of the Professors of the Royal School of Mines. The gentleman appointed, Mr. Arthur Jarman, A.R.S.M., commenced his duties in Lent term. Later in the year an additional Junior Demonstrator in Chemistry was appointed in the person of Mr. C. G. Gibson, B.E. Mr. J. P. V. Madsen, B.Sc., was also appointed Assistant Instructor in Mechanical Drawing.

29. The Demonstratorship of Anatomy was held by Mr. E. Ludowici, M.B., Ch.M., until the month of June, when he resigned and was succeeded by Mr. N. .W Kater, M.B., Ch.M.

30. The selection in England of a gentleman to succeed Professor Pollock as Demonstrator in Physics, after his appointment to the Chair of Physics, resulted in the selection of Mr. Richard C. Simpson, who entered upon his duties in the month of June.

31. The Lectureship in the Law of Procedure, Pleading and Evidence in the Law School became vacant on the 31st of December, by the resignation of Mr. C. A. Coghian, M.A., LL.D., who had held that office for eleven years.

In order to fill the vacancy thus created, the Senate, after public advertisement, appointed Mr. David Ferguson, B.A.

Z

University Extension.

32. The University Extension Board for the year 1900 reports that the movement has made very satisfactory progress during the year. In New South Wales nine courses of lectures were delivered at the following centres:-Sydney-Railway Institute and Public Library; Nowra; Kiama; Albion Park; Wollongong; Grafton; Armidale; Tamworth. The total attendance was 563, showing an average of 63 for each course. The number of certificates awarded to successful candidates at the concluding examinations was 16. The Board in its report thanks the following gentlemen for special assistance rendered in connection with the arrangement and delivery of lectures :— Mr. H. C. L. Anderson, Librarian of the Public Library; the Officials of the Department of Public Instruction, and the official Representatives of various Churches who rendered good service in the cause of University Extension in the Illawarra District.

The members of the University Extension Board for the year 1901, were elected in December as follows:-Members of the Senate--H. C. L. Anderson, Esq., M.A.; His Honour Judge Backhouse, M.A.; the Hon. W. P. Cullen, M.A., LL.D.; Richard Teece, Esq., F.I.A. Members of the Teaching StaffProfessor Anderson, M.A.; Professor David, M.A.; Professor MacCallum, M.A.; Professor Wilson, M.B., Ch.M. Unofficial Members-H. Goodere, Esq.; F. S. Robinson, Esq.; E. B. Taylor, Esq.

In the place of Acting Professor Henderson, who resigned the Honorary Secretaryship of the Board upon leaving Sydney in August, the Senate appointed Professor Wood as Honorary Secretary in his place.

School of Dentistry.

33. Upon the passing of the Dental Act in the last session of Parliament, instructions were given to a Committee of the Senate to revise by-laws which had before been provisionally considered, for the establishment of a Dental School at the University, with a view to completing arrangements for the opening of the proposed school at the beginning of the Academic year of 1901; and these arrangements have now been practically completed.

Students of the Dental School will receive their instruction in subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, and Surgery in the lecture rooms and laboratories of the University, while

the practical instruction, both operative and mechanical, will be given at the Sydney Hospital by Lecturers in Mechanical and Surgical Dentistry and a Mechanical Instructor, appointed by the University. The Lecturers will also be Honorary Dental Surgeons of the Sydney Hospital, the wards of the Out-patients Department of which will supply a sufficient field to enable the students to obtain a thorough practical acquaintance with their profession. The general arrangements of the school, including the appointment of Lecturers in Practical Dental subjects, will be under the supervision of a Joint Committee of the Senate of the University and the Directors of the Sydney Hospital.

Scientific Laboratories.

34. By the liberality of the Government and Parliament, a vote for building purposes has enabled the Senate to commence the erection of a new laboratory for Biology, and also to effect a considerable enlargement of the present laboratory for Physics. Upon the completion of the new Biological laboratory, the Engineering Department will be allotted the rooms at present used by the Biology Department, and in this way accommodation will be provided for an increased attendance of students in the Mining and Electrical Engineering Departments in an economical manner.

School of Mines.

35. The School of Mines, or Department of Mining and Metallurgy, continues to receive such large accessions to the number of students, that it has been found absolutely necessary to increase the existing accommodation.

By the liberality of the Government and Parliament, a substantial building has been added to the Chemical Laboratory to accommodate the classes in Metallurgy, Assaying and Mining. This building contains a large number of fusion and muffle assay furnaces, and an experimental reverberatory furnace. It is also provided with a plant for the concentration and treatment of metalliferous ores, including a set of stampers, a Frue vanner, &c., and also vats and the necessary appliances for the extraction of gold and silver ores by the various processes in use.

Deans of Faculties.

36. In accordance with the usual practice for the biennial election of Deans of Faculties, the Senate invited recommendations from the various Faculties as to the Branches of Learning