Calendar: 1891-1892 Page 739

REPORT li materially to diminish the proportionate representation of the two Colleges and the Council felt that the general effect of the change was to render the Scheme no longer plan for the practical constitution of Teaching University for London but instead of this to retain and even to emphasize the old character of the University as centralized institution for the conduct of University examinations for the whole kingdom The interests of London education and of the Colleges would have been subordinated to this general purpose and the main object for which the Council have been contending for the past five years would have been defeated They have therefore felt it their duty to refuse their assent to this amended Scheme and to address letter to the Lord President requesting him again to take into consideration their petition of 1887 for an independent University They understand that University College has practically adopted the same course and they consequently hope that their original request may be substantially granted in the course of this year In connection with all these developments partly in their general position and partly in the improvement of their laboratories and other parts of their equipment they have felt the necessity of making an appeal to the friends of the College and to the public for contributions to an Extension Fund The same necessity was felt by University College and the two Councils have accordingly appealed independently but with mutual good understanding for sums of £50 000 each The statement in which this appeal is made contains careful explanation of the grounds on which it is urged and the Council accordingly append it to this Report It will be seen that its reception has so far been encouraging The Lord Mayor kindly permitted meeting to be held at the Mansion House in support of the Appeal and has since con- This expectation ha since been fulfilled Committee of the Privy Council having approved of the Draft of the Charter for 11 the Albert Univer- sity which is annexed to this Report at page lviii Before this Draft can be submitted for the final approval of the Queen it must lie for thirty days before Parliament at the beginning of next Session