If ever there was a time when it was doubted whether a University College in Wellington would be a necessity—and we venture to think that doubts were once entertained in some quarters—the voices of those who would in the past have poured cold water on the plan of establishing the Victoria College will not now be heard to give utterance to any dismal forebodings. It is only a year since the College entered into occupation of its new building, and already it has been found that the existing class-room page 6 accomodation is entirely inadequate, both as to size and number of rooms. The Registrar's report to the Government for the present year shews that 382 students are now attending lectures, and points out in a very distinct manner the necessity for further accomodation.

We are pleased to note that the report contains a reference to the question of building the College Hall, and there can be no excuse for the Government if it fails to recognize the necessity for that work, since there is one member of the Cabinet who must be aware of it in his the College Council, and who can, if he will, use his influence in its favour. The expense of additional building maybe heavy, and other objects may seem to have as good as claim upon the generosity of the Government, but we doubt whether capital could be better expended than in the encouragement of an institution upon which must part depend, not only the character of the leading men of the time to come, but also the place which New Zealand is to take in the world's competition. There is little doubt that, as time goes on, the number of New Zealand University men who will take a prominent part in the affairs of the Colony must continually increase.

Nor is there only the fact that many are entering the College each year from a desire for self-improvement but there is also the evidence of results. examination successes for 1906 exceed those for any previous year in quality as well as in number. The reproach that there in little desire to reach the Honours standard, and a natural tendency to be content with the mediocrity of the B. A. degree, has been removed by the consistent work of no less than thirteen successful candidates for honours. Each of those who graduated as M. A. has taken that course immediately after completing the B. A. The comparative statement which we print in another column is published, not in any spirit of self-satisfaction, but merely to prove that Victoria College has fully justified the confidence in her future shown by the Government when it provided the present buildings.

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For one thing done since last year the Council specially deserves the hearty thanks of all students—the provision of a library worthy of the College. The beneficial effects of the expenditures are not least felt by the law students, who are now able to read, within the College building, the cases which must be examined if a subject is to be properly grasped. But if, in the face of such generosity, a suggestion may not appear impertinent, we think that the text-book portion of the third section work might be more fully provided for. Liberal provision has been made for students taking the first and second sections, but we hope are long to see a better supply of modern text-books dealing with the chief special branches of practical law, as well as a considerable number of words containing the leading cases in each of branches.

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We publish in another column a short report upon the progress of the collection of subscription to the Gymnasium Fund. We hope that the result of the keen struggle for the Athletic Championship at Auckland will induce students to support the movement, both by word and deed. Moreover, no educational institution can do justice to itself in scholarship unless it is provided with the means of developing the body as well as, and along with, the mind.

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We cannot help feeling some regret at the proceedings of the University Senate with regard to the petition to the Privy Council for a Charter authorising the New Zealand University to confer several new dagrees. The petition had doubtless not received the prompt consideration to which it was entitled, but the delay did not in itself justify the assumption that any slight was intended. That the petition, together with the consideration of the general question of Colonial degrees, should have been referred to the Oxford and Cambridge University for report, and that particulars as to the proposed standard of examination should be asked for, might naturally have been expected, unless the matter was to be regarded as a mere formality. If it was only a formality, why was as Royal Charter sought at all?

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Either it was unnecessary to ask for the Charter, or else, if the Charter had a value, an opportunity of obtaining it was thrown away by what appears to us, with all respect, to have been an impetuous indignation. To be afforded official recognition in the United Kingdom must, we venture to say, add to the value of the degrees, and we submit that the interests of the future graduates in that respect ought not lightly to have been imperiled by alienating those towards whom a cordial friendship is the proper attidute.

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The question of wearing gowns at lectures, which was brought forward at the Annual Meeting of the Students' Association, is a comparatively new one at Victoria College. The meeting, before which it was brought for first time in concrete form, decided adversely to the proposal, but we think the verdict would have been different if the idea had not been so unfamiliar to students. The general public of Wellington do not sufficiently appreciate the fact that Victoria College is of University standing, and often regard it as an institution never entered or thought of except by those who wish to fit themselves for "making a living." They forget that its benefits are also shared by those who have another object in view, the acquisition of learning for its own sake. There are two proposals which, if carried out, would have the effect of elevation the College in popular opinion: first, the changing of its name to "Victoria University College "(which could be done whenever any Bill to amend the Act of 1905 is before Parliament), and secondly, the establishment of a distinction by the wearing of the appropriate academic costume. The only possible objection is on the ground of expense, for surely none, even our lady students, will imagine that the style of the costume, though simple, is other than most becoming.

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We regret that at the end of this term Professor Salmond will be taking his leave of Victoria College, and we can only say that what will be our great loss will be the Government's gain. Those who have worked under him during his short page 9 connection with the College have been able to see new lights in the highways and byways of the law, and have come into contact with methods of study which we fancy will serve as their models for future. Only those who have attended his lectures can fully realize what the loss of him means to the College.

At the same time we have to offer our congratulations upon his appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Law to one who has been among us from the earliest days of the College. For some years Professor Maclaurin has been using only one portion of his resources of learning, and now he will have an opportunity of using his special knowledge of Law, in which he has excelled even more than in Mathematics.