Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/199

 The Railway-Builders ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 17: and erroneous and exaggerated ideas were held as to the probable cost of such a work. The political crises protracted the passing of an Act providing for the raising of a sum of money for this purpose, and little disposition was shown by Parliament to divert public money from railway and other more national construction. A survey of the route for the main trunk sewer in the drainage system was completed in 1876, and a Drainage Bill was drafted, but, in the pressure of other measures, received slight attention from Parliament. In the meantime, the provisions of the Health Act were enforced as far as possible, to the advantage of the city residents. A disagreement arose in 1876 between the Central Board of Health and the Corporation, acting as the Local Board of Health, in regard to drainage matters, and the subject was taken before the Supreme Court. It referred to alterations to be made in the sewers, which the Corporation did not wish to effect until a proper system of drainage was established. This collision was serious enough, but it did not move the hands of the Government. Negotia- tions were opened with the latter, and a Bill to authorise the Corporation to borrow money for the work was prepared, but no political action was taken. The general opinion seemed to favor the emptying of the sewage into the sea. The bare recapitu- lation of the chronicles of the Corporation does not, however, convey any just idea of the importance the city was attaining. In the world of higher education, philanthropy, and manufacture it was now- able to take a place. In higher education the people had principally depended on the St. Peter's and Prince Alfred Colleges, established under the auspices of the Anglican and the Methodist Churches respectively, and on advanced schools conducted by the Roman Catholics and private individuals. The need of a university was generally recognised in 1872, and, as a result of meetings and representations to Parliament, such an institudon was founded in 1874. Sir W. W. Hughes, in 1872, promised the sum of ^20,000 for the endowment of two chairs. In November, 1874, an Act to incorporate and endow the University of Adelaide was passed. It provided for a Council and Senate, endowed the institution with 50,000 acres of ground in fee-simple, and guaranteed an advance of 5 per cent, on funds invested by the Council. Sir Thomas Elder, to further the project, also gave /20,ooo ; and Mr. J. H. Town Hall, Unley