The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-03 00:00:00

PROPOS- D 1

WINING AN.

ILL EGE.

ENGINEER.

Arrangements are now being -made for the east.
blishment of a college of mining, engineering, and
manufacturing science, in connexion with the Uni-
versity of Durham, and with preparatory schools
to be set on foot in the different colliery districts
of the kingdom, at which instruction will be given.
adapted to the training of boys intended as mana-
gers of mines or for engineering or manufacturing
pursuits. The institution• though proposed to be
locally situated within that University, is to be cox-
ducted upon independent principles and managed by
a governing body of its own. There are to be five
professors—one of mathematics, one of natural
philosophy and applied mechanics, one of mineralogy
geology and working mines, one of chymistry, and
a fifth of plan drawing, levelling, surveying, and
practical engineering. The two first professors
will be provided by the University, and the three
last by the proposed college. The general object
sought to be attained is the education, at the
cheapest rate, of all classes of mining and engi-
neering students, to result eventually, it is .to be
hoped, in practical and economical improvements
in mining operations from time to time, and in.
lessening the enormous waste of human life incident
to that department of industry. The students are
to be of two classes—matriculated and non-matricu-
lated, the former to reside in some college, hall, or
house licensed for that purpose by the University,
and to be subject to its discipline; the latter, if not
resident with their parents, to live in lodging-
houses licensed by the principal of the proposed.
college, and, in special cases, in other houses not so
licensed. The matriculated students are to be ad-
missible to the academical rank of mining engineer
and civil engineer, according to certain regulations
passed in January, 1855 ; and non-matriculated
students are to be admissible to a title of distinction.
to be hereafter agreed upon. One especial object
in view is to increase the usefulness, by means of
suitable instruction, of schoolmasters in the colliery
districts ; and arrangements are in contemplation
for enabling the students to inspect collieries from
time to time and to acquire a knowledge of
their practical working. A committee was recently
appointed, consisting of Mr. Nicholas Wood, the
eminent colliery viewer, whose whole life has been
identified with the practical management and super-
vision of coal mines in Northumberland and Dur-
ham ; Mr. T. J. Taylor, and Mr. J. L. Bell, to con-
fer with the authorities of the University at Dur-
ham, to bring the project under the notice of the
Government, and to take other preliminary steps
for the successful establishment of the proposed col-
lege. Mr. Tremenheere, the commissioner for in-
quiring into the state of the mining population, in
his report to the Home Secretary, just published,
refers to the advantages resulting from the engraft-
ing of a mining department on this Bristol Dioce-
san School : and also states that a very promising
commencement has been made in the establishment
of a similar school at Wigan, in connexion with the
mechanics' institution there. It commenced in
March last, and there has been an average atten-
dance of about 30 students, two-thirds of whom are
overmen and working colliers. The students are
mostly adults, or young men between 17 and 19,
many of them working in the pits during the day.
An endeavour has also recently been made, on the
part of many of the leading employers of mining
labour in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, and other gen-
tlemen,to set on foot a mining school. Towards
that object a subscription of £4OO for three years
has been guaranteed, and the managing committee
offer a salary of £250 per annum for a competent
master.