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University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. .MEETING OF THE COURT OF GOVERNORS. INSTRUCTION IN FORESTRY. ALLOCATION OF THE WELSH MUSEUM AND LIBRARY GRANT. The half-yearly meeting of the ourt of Governors of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, was held on Friday last at the Shire Hall, Brecon. Sir Lewis Morris, one of the vice-presidents, presided, and there were also present Principal T. F. Roberts, Dr. Em- rys Jones, Manchester; Lieut.-Gen. Sir J Hills- Johnes, Dolau Cothi; Rev. T. E. Williams, New-town Mr. L. J. Roberts, H.M.I.S., Rhyl; Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas, Prof. E. Anwyl, Miss A. M. Dobell, Pontypool; Mr. J. D. Perrott, Mr. D. C. Roberts, Mr. Evan Evans, and Mr. John Evans, Aberystwyth; Colonel Pryce Jones, M.P., Alderman de Winton, Brecon; Mr. Owen Price, Nantvrharn, Brecon; Mr. W. S. Miller, Brecon Rev. Dr. Bowen Jones, Brecon; Prof. Sudborough, Mr. D. Fisher, Brecon; Principal Rowlands, Memorial Col- lege, Brecon; My. David Powell, Brecon; Mr. J. Austin Jenkins, Cardiff; Miss Constance Jones, Girton College, Cambridge; Principal Owen Prvs. Mr. J. A nnvlp. and I Mr. T. Mortimer Green (registrar.) THE LATE ALDERMAN ROBERTS. Dr. Emrys Jones proposed that the Court place on record its profound sorrow at the death of the senior vice-president (Alderman J. Foulkes Roberts, J.P., Manchester), and that vote of sympathy be passed with Miss Ro- berts and other members of the family in their bereavement. The mover said he had been intimately acquainted with Alderman Roberts for 27 years. He knew, and they all knew, that if Alderman Roberts had one interest at heart it was University education in Wales generally and the University College of Aber- ystwyth in particular. He believed that was the question which was nearest and dearest to his heart all through his life, and having had the oportunity of comin into close contact with him a short time before his death, there were two subjects that he invariably mentioned One subject was the old Welsh hymns he learn- ed as a boy and which he was fond of repeating, and the progress of the University College, Aberystwyth. He was sure they all felt very deeply the loss of such an excellent friend of the College, and it could not but appeal to those who were left behind to emulate his ex- ample and do more than ever for the cause of University education in Wales. Principal Roberts, in seconding, said he had drawn up a form of resolution which he had sub- mitt.ed to the President of the College, who had written expressing his concurrence with it, and also expressing his great regret that he was not able to be present that day. The leso- lution was as follows :— The Court of Governors desires to place on record its profound sorrow at the death of Alderman John Foulkes Roberts, senior vice-president of the College, and one of the pioneers of higher education in Wales. From the year 1865, when he first took part in pro- moting the establishment of the College, to the time of his death, Alderman Roberts con- tinued to watch over its interests with a de- votion that spared neither labour nor sacri- fice, and with a faith and courage w hich proved a mainstay of its fortunes in the darkest time of difficulty and discouragement. His services to the College have won for Alderman Roberts the abiding gratitude and affection of the people of Wales and a place in the illustrious roll of her benefactors. The Court also gratefully recognises in his character and personality, and his strenuous career of beneficence, both in Wales and without her borders, an examples of the best that our country is able to give to the ser- vice of mankind. Principal Roberts added that Alderman Roberts was invariably present at their meet- ings, and his presence acted like an inspiration upon all who came in contact with him. Colonel Pryce Jones, M.P., in supporting, said as one of the younger generation, he always regarded Alderman Roberts as a really grand old man in connection with education. He was always optimistic" and very courageous The Chairman also spoke to the proposition, and said the opportunity he had of being pre- sent at Alderman Roberts' funeral showed to him that while the deceased had become a great citizen in his own city, he never forgot the claims of Wales. (Hear, hear.) The proposition was agreed to. AMENDMENT OF THE CHARTER. The Registrar read a letter from the Clerk of the Privy Council approving the special sta- tute modifying certain clauses of the Charter. The effect of the alteration was to enlarge the representation of the Court by bringing in bodies which were not in existence when the Charter was first framed, such as County Gev- erning Bodies, etc. MR. DAVID DA VIES' BENEFACTION. The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Edward Davies, Plasdinam, Mr. David Davies, and the Misses Davies, for their muni- l ficent promise to undertake jointly the entire cost of the erection of the proposed new chemi- cal laboratories for the College. Sir Lewis said he had not the pleasure of knowing the present heir of Llandinam, but he worked for a long time with his grandfather, Mr. David Davies. He was always at the meetings, he was always liberal and munificent, and always took an interest in everything that was done. There were political circumstances at one time which might very well have made him turn his back on tne College, but he did not do it. He renewed the scholarship just as he had done be- fore, and it was continued afterwards by his s The late Mr. Edward Davies was also a most useful member of the Council, and a good friend of the College. And now the family tradition of munificence had been shown again in the present representative, and they were very thankful for the immense sum of 1:20,000 which this young gentleman and his mother and sisters had quite willingly and spontane- ously given to the needs of the College, This was the spirit which the pioneers of Welsh edu- cation hoped to develope in the course of time, and they had done it. They hoped to deveL ope it still more. His own regret always was that they did not annex the munificence of Mr. Owen, the benefactor of the Victoria Univer- sity, Manchester. He was a Welshman, and he (the speaker) had not the least doubt that the large amount he devoted to the Victoria University would have come to Wales had they been ready. But they could do very well with- out it. They had plenty of millionaires of their rmm anrl it nnnparfld that now tJfceJT had million- aires whose sympathy was with the people and with the great cause of education, and upon whom they might rely with confidence in the future as in the past. This sum of £ 20,000 had taken a great burden off their shoulders, and made it possible for the College to proceed with its work in other directions. The Registrar read the letter received by the Principal from Mr. David Davies, intimat- ing his intention of making the gift. Sir James Hills-Johnes, in seconding the pro- position of thanks, said one and all of them were exceedingly grateful to Mr. Davies for hlCdenel Pryce-Jones, M P., said he had come all the way from London that day chiefly to ex- press his very great pleasure at receiving this munificent gift from his fneijd ^dyd Davies. It was a noble lead to others who were in a position to help forward then national movement. He felt proud that they had a Carnegie amongst themselves. He hoped that young Mr. David Davies would continue not. only to advance the interest of education, but would take an active interest in the develop- ment of the industrial as well as the educational interests of the Principality. (Hear, hear). Principal Roberts said he and his colleagues on the Council set an additional value on the rmmifioont cfiff frnm the fact that it was to the U.l.Ul.l.l..I.J..I..l.V ho memory of his revered father Those who worked with him knew with what fidelity he attended the meetings of the Council and its committees, and how his interest in the College was constantly deepening and growing, His death removed one of the closest and keenest of those who had been connected with the management of the institution. He also felt, as Colonel Pryce-Jones had said, that they had in Mr. David Davies not only one who had freely given of his great wealth, but one who was also intending to devote his services to the development of education in connection witn -this College and the development of education and the prosperity and progress of Wales gen- erally. He did not know whether it was known to the Court of Governors that Mr. Davies had already interested himself in various move- ments. When he (the speaker) was with him at Christmas time he was engaged in lecturing at different villages. (Hear, hear.) It seemed to him there was every indication that it his health and life were spared he would render his country very great service. An example of this kind was one that ought to be inspiring to his countrymen. At the present time there were great and growing needs in higher educa- tion in Wales in connection with this College and also in connection with the sister Univer- sity Colleges. He trusted this action was but tl ■ fore-runner of a series of actions commen- surate with the needs of higher education in Wales, in order that they might enter upon a higher level of progress. (Hear, hear.) The proposition was put to the meeting, and carried with unanimity. I THE PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS. Principal Roberts, in the course of an address to the Governors, said :—Meeting in the county of Brecon, it is natural that prominent atten- tion should be given to a question which af- fects the interest of Agriculture, viz., the pro- posed Joint College and Counties Experimental Farm. The scheme recommended by the con- ference of representatives which met at Aber- ystwyth in July, has already received the ap- proval and promised support of three of the County Councils concerned—Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, and Montgomeryshire. I am hopeful that the remaining counties will shortly follow suit. The project is one which cannot be carried out except by joint action. No county is strong enough to proceed sin- gle-handed, while by combining they can at- tain the end without undue burden on any single county. The College already possesses in ita staff, laboratories and other equipment, a large part of the machinery required for the scientific working of the farm. For example, the well-equipped Agricultural Chemical De- partment provided some years ago at a cost of about £ 3000, which is also the analytical labor- atory for five of these counties who some years ago jointly appointed the Lecturer in Agricul- tural Chemistry as district analyst under the Fertilizers and Feeding Stuffs Act, is an essen- tial auxiliary to the scheme of expreimental work to be carried out 011 the farm itself and in the associated counties. The farm is the necessary completion of the scheme of joint action between the County Councils and the College which has now passed through a period of twelve years of unbroken progress. There is no agricultural area of such extent and im- portance without a farm. We have the prac- tical assurance of Mr. Hanbury on his recent visit that if the local authorities make their respective contributions the grant of t200 a year from the Board of Agriculture will be forthcoming. 1 will add a lurtner argument for the immediate establishment of the Farm. In the recently-issued report of the Departmen- tal Committee on Forestry, it is recommended that instriction in forestry be made an integral part of the curriculum of Universities and Uni- versity Colleges possessing agricultural depart- ments, and that in connection with each such College example plots" should be provided for practical training in Forestry. With this requirement before us we should obviously se- lect a farm where such example plots can be obtained, and should thus at the same time be taking the chief practical step recommended by the Committee for this important development of the work of the Department. The report further commends that Demonstration For- ests be provided in suitable parts of the coun- try, and in this connection points out that the margins of vast reservoirs such as the one which is being constructed in Radnorshire by the Birmingham Corporation should be affores- ted and should be made available for instruc- tion in forestry. The next matter on which I wish to touch is at first sight far removed from Agricultural pursuits, but on closer consideration it will be seen that a Welsh Library and Museum con- ceived on proper lines and designed to meet the requirements of the central counties of Wales must include a special department for study and investigation of agricultural questions, and an Agricultural Museum. It must be co- extensive with the scope of the social, economic and industrial conditions of the district in which it is placed, in addition to being a centre for investigation of those literary, historical, and philological studies which group around our distinctive nationality. The members of the Court are aware of the steps which have been taken of recent years to develope the Welsh Library of the College, and that the Li- brary is now, as the result of those efforts, one of the most important collections of the kind in existence. The promoters of this under- taking have from the first pointed out that a separate building is required for the accommo- dation of the Library. An admirable site, in- tended primarily forthis" purpose, was pur- chased by the President several years ago for the sum of £2000. It is about 14 acres in ex- tent, and affords room for other buildings which we hope eventually to erect upon it. For the present the erection ofthe new Library is the most urgent extension in the form of buildings now that the new scientific labora- tories are to be provided through the muni- ficent joint gift provided by Mr. David Davies and his mother and sisters in memory of the late Mr. Edward Davies. Since I have been sonnected with the College, has been marked by a more purely patriotic motive, and pursued with greater earnestness by the promoters than this effort on behalf of the Welsh Library. Of the eventual success of the enterprise I have no shadow of doubt. But in the meantime we appeal for the aid that is necessary in providing the building. I have hoped, and I continue to hope, that when the time comes for the alloca- tion to Wales of her proportion of the Library and Museum Grant some help will be forth- coming towards the cost and maintenance of such a library, which will be a national library in the truest sence of the word. We are de- termined to proceed with our undertaking even the independently of such aid. We are pre- pared to accept the decision of the authority to whom the decision of the question may be committed. But we shal I earnestly press for the inclusion among the reference to the deciding authorities of such a scheme of distribution as will per- mit of a due proportion of the grants being allocated to libraries or museums which can lay claim to a national character in more than one University centre in the Principality. The grounds for this reference have been clearly stated to the Court cf Governors and have been unanimously endorsed by it. The Court contains repre- sentatives of seven Welsh counties. The repre- sentations of such a body cannot lightly be set aside. The question at issue is one for the deliberate decision of Wales as a whole. If the decision, when duly arrived at, after a full examination of the alternatives before us, should favour the accumulation of the grant in the town of Cardiff, we may profoundly re- gret, but shall have no cause to complain of such a decision. We cannot be charged with affording any shadow of excuse to those who may wish to delay or to thwart a settlement of this question. Principal Roberts, in the course of 'om.:> sup- plementary remarks, dealt with the endowment of the Law School. He said the School was supported at present by a five yea.'s' snstenta- tion fund, and that had ran two years. Up to the present, although the number of students was limited, the prospect of the School was as good as possibly could be expected by its sup- porters. It was very important that members of the Court should assist the College in mak- ing known the advantages of this new School. THE MUSEUM AND LIBRARY GRANT. The following resolution, drawn up by the Welsh Library Committee, which had met on the previous evening, was then proposed by the Principal:- That while the Court is pre- pared loyally to accept the decision of any pro- perly constituted body selected to decide the matter they regard it as of great importance that the body—whether it be the University Court of Wales or some other body shall be re- presentative of Wales as a whole and that the reference to such a body should includethe con- sideration of a scheme of distribution which would permit the Welsh libraries and museums at the centres for university education in Wales to receive some share for the proposed grants. (2) That a deputation be appointed to lay before the representatives of Wales in Parlia- ment the views of the court of governors on the question of museum grants for Wales. (3) That a copy of the above resolution be sent to the Corporation of Cardiff in reply to their communication, and also to the members of the council of the university of Wales, to the constituent colleges, and to the county councils of Wales and Monmouthshire. (4) That representatives be also sent to the representatives of Wales in Parliament, and that the Registrar be requested to communi- cate with them with a view to their appointing an early date for the suggested interview. (5) That the officers of the college, with power to add to their number, form the depu- tation." Colonel Pryce Jones, M.P., in seconding, said he was quite in harmony with Principal Roberts. He thought it should be distinctly understood throiighoi-itwales that there wasno jealousy or rivalry between the different Un i- versityColleges with regard to the museum grant. Their only object was to get the grant from the Government for the benefit of Wales generally. In the meantime, of course, they were losing it. Scotland was getting a grant, England was getting a grant, and no doubt Ireland was getting a grant in some form or other. In the meantime Wales was losing it because they could not agree upon a definite reply to the Government. The Government said that they must agree upon a capital for the site for the museum. With regard to that he did not think they should be rushed into it. If they could not agree to any of the alterna- tive plans, he could agree to Aberystwyth being a site, or Ba.ngor, or Cardiff, but until they were assured that that was the only alter- native he thought it would be a great mistake to rush to the Government and say that they had a capital, which might be in extreme North Wales or extreme South Wales, and to find hereafter that a great, mistake had been made. It had been suggested that this matter should be referred to a body like the Univer- sity of Wales for decision, and as far as he was concerned that would meet with his strongest 1 approval. That body was representative of Wales in every respect, and could decide first whether the giant should be given to one place to be recognised as the capital; secondly, whether it should be divided between the three University Colleges; and, thirdly, whether it should be given to tile th.ee colleges and also to smaller museums in different parts of Wales. He suggested that a meeting should be ar- ranged of all the Welsh members of Parliament representatives of the Welsh University, a.nd representatives of the Welsh County Councils to endeavour to arrive at a unanimous decision and if they could arrive at a definite conclusion there was 110 doubt that the Government- was bound to give them this grant. He was strongly of opinion that they should be united before approaching the Government, or they would be taking a step which they would re- gret. Principal Roberts said a strong reason for sending up a deputation to the Welsh members, at the present time was that according to the statement of Mr. Hayes Fisher the other day they had been asked to draw up a scheme. It seemed to him they had no alternative, and it should be done as soon as possible. The resolution was put to the meeting, and carried with unanimity. FORESTRY AND AN EXPERIMENTAL FARM. Mr. J. A. Doyle, Crickhowell, moved the following resolution with respect to forestry: —" That in view of the recommendation of the Government Departmental Committee on for- estry the committee desire to call the attention of county councils to the increased importance of an experimental farm being established in connection with the agricultural department of the college, and especially call attention to clausesl4, 15, and 20 of the report." Themov- er said that anyone who took interest in rural affairs and compared the management of wood- lands in this country with that in other coun- tries, must see the extreme importance of in- troducing methodical and scientific methods in this country. I Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas, in seconding, said they had fallen in this country into a state of considerable neglect with reference to the question of forestry. One hundred or one hun- dred and fifty years ago the country was much alive to its resources when there was need of good timber for their ships. Since then, owing to the substitution of iron and steel, it was a thing that had been overlooked. It was a very good sign, it seemed to him, that the Govern- ment, and people who were able to give an authoritative opinion on a question of this kind were taking it up again. Speaking of his recent. visit to Canada, Mr. Thomas said that from the point of view of agricultural educa- tion, he was greatly impressed with the work he saw done at the agricultural college in the pro- vince of Ontario. He was much struck with the practical thoroughness of all the training. A great deal of attention was. naturally been paid to the question of forestry, because one of the main forms of wealth of that country was its forests, and they had there their separ- ate departments of forestry. Mr. Miller, Forest Lodge,, Brecon, in sup- porting, said he felt sure it would be to the interest of the whole country if more atten- tion was paid to the question of forestry. As the Principal had shown, it would be a great expenditure for any county or other organi- sation to set up a school of its own, and it could be much more economically done in connec- tion with the College. Mr. Owen Price, Nantyrharn, Brecon, said they wanted to train their young farmers to properly manage the land, and to teach them to increase the produce of the land, and to bring all kinds of stock to early maturity. Forestry was a feature that should be en- couraged. There were many parts; of the country which would be benefitted if there was a little more planting. Colonel Pryce Jones, M.P., said the Mont- gomery County Council had agreed to support this experimental farm, and he (the speaker) thought the work could be done much better through the University Colleges, because they had the organisation. The proposition having been further sup- ported by Sir J. Hills-Johnes, was unani- mously agreed to. TRAINING OF SECONDARY TEACHERS. Professor Anwyl proposed a resolution to consider the desirability of bringing before the new County Educational Authorities the ur- gent need of providing scholarships tenable for one year at Training Colleges approved for the training of Secondary Teachers, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Order in Council' for the registration of teachers." Prof. Anwyl said this followed as a necessary corollary from two things. One was the de- velopment of education in England and Wales, which made training necessary, and the other corollary arose from their own system of education, which aimed at making educa- tion and the work of teaching not the mono- poly of the rich but something that was pos- sible foa- all classes. Unless they had these scholarships, it was perfectly clear to him they would have this state of things. People would be deterred from entering as teachers in secondary schools because of the registration of teachers, unless they had sufficient means to provide themselves for the year's training. Principal Roberts seconded the proposition, and said he would like to point out one practi- cal suggestion. The County Councils already franted county exhibitions, tenable at the "niversity Colleges, and they had the power, if they chose, to extend the tenure of those to four years, and in some cases,. he believed they did so. His suggestion was that the extension be made also in the case of students who were reported as having gone through their degree course creditably, and who were anxious to devote themselves to a year of trainiag for the teaching profession. In a few years the train- ing for secondary teaching would be a sie qua non, and it behoved them in Wales to devote a great deal of attention to it. The resolution was supported by Miss Con- stance Jones, Girton College, and Miss Dobell, Pontypool, and was then unanimously agreed to. VICE PRESIDENT. Mr. Humphreys-Owen, M.P., only had been nominated as vice-president; in place of the late Alderman J. Foulkes Roberts and on the proposition of the Chairman seconded by Col- onel Pryce-Jones, M. P., he was unanimously elected. UNIVERSITY COURT REPRESENTATIVES. Lieu-General Sir J. Hilta Johnes, Dr. Emrys Jones, and the Rev. T. Mortimer Green were on the motion of Professor Anwyl, seconded by Mr. L. J. Roberts, re-appointed representa- tives on the University Court, in addition to the President.

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