Page:Picturesque Dunedin.djvu/134

120

HE University of Otago was founded in 1869 by an ordinance of the Provincial Council, "with the intent to promote sound learning in the province of Otago." It now possesses endowments to the extent of 221,000 acres of pastoral land. The original grant was 100,000 acres; but this was supplemented by an equal amount in 1872, further increased by 10,000 acres in 1874, and again by 11,000 in 1877. In addition to the revenue derived from its leases, the University also receives £1800 per annum as its portion of the Educational revenue of the Presbyterian Church, whereby it pays the salaries of three Professors. In course of time, and as settlement advances, the University is likely to become a wealthy corporation, and a growingly influential factor in the life of the community.

When first founded, the Otago University was empowered by the constituting ordinance to grant Degrees in Arts, Medicine, and Law, and had made application for a Royal Charter for the same purpose in order to increase the value of its Degrees; but the privilege was surrendered and the affiliation withdrawn in 1874, on the establishment of the New Zealand University; and although, from force of custom it is still called the University, it ought now properly to be designated University-College. Along with the Canterbury College, and University-College, Auckland, the University of Otago is exclusively a teaching body: and all three are affiliated to the New Zealand University, which alone confers degrees in the Colony. Some regrets are felt that the University of Otago surrendered its privileges, and only recently an unsuccessful attempt was made to recover them: but it is improbable that existing arrangements will be interfered with. The University