Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/86

 a portion of the many magnificent buildings, in connection with the education of the people of this country which are now in the course of erection in this vicinity. It has been the fortune of Bombay, whenever it felt in want of institutions adapted to the advancing civilization of the age, to find among its own citizens those who were both ready and proud to devote to the supply of these wants large contributions from the wealth which their energy and ability and experience have enabled them to accumulate. In connection with the present building I may make a few remarks. As soon as it was found that the University of Bombay could be called into existence, and that a suitable building should be provided for it, a gentleman, distinguished by his great generous liberality, Sir Cowasjee Jehangier, at once came forward and tendered to the Government of the day the sum of £10,000 on the condition that they should supply what further sums might be needed for completing the buildings, and also that no other private subscriptions should be admitted in aid of the undertaking. Government unreservedly accepted the terms, and the result is before you this day. The first step addressed to the accomplishment of the design was to obtain from Sir Gilbert Scott, the eminent architect, proper designs and plans for the building in 1864 ; but, from various difficulties which arose in respect of the total sum wanted, and other arrangements, it appears that no real progress was made with the undertaking until near the close of the year 1868, the then Governor, Sir Seymour Fitzgerald, in the presence of the late lamented Viceroy of India, Lord Mayo, laid the foundation-stone of the University Hall of Bombay. From that time to the present, as the work has gone on, the whole charge of its construction and superintendence has been in the hands of officers of our own Presidency. The working drawings were contributed by Mr. Molecy, of the Architectural Engineer's Department of Public Works ; the detailed superintendence throughout has been in the hands of Mr. Makund Ramchandra, Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department, who as many here can testify, devoted himself with the greatest assiduity to the completion of the building. The general charge of the whole has been of course in the hands of Colonel Fuller, the Architectural Engineer to the Government of Bombay. Of the good work which he has been able to render in that capacity it is hardly necessary for me now to speak. All these gentlemen whom I have mentioned must feel proud and delighted at the conclusion of their labours in connection with this building, and they have, I consider, the strongest possible claim upon your gratitude and your thanks. Before closing my remarks upon this part of the