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student body. But as the University expanded a host of other societies sprung into being, and interest in this society declined, and, with that, its usefulness also. Dissipated strength may only be weakness. So attention, in the course of the year, was turned to the good old society, in effect reorganizing it on a new basis. Long since, the local graduates dropped out of the membership, leaving it a purely student fellowship. By the new Constitution the "Society will no longer be open to the general student body, but consist of an executive, and one representative from each forty students in a Faculty." This appears to have turned it into a purely business body, narrow in comparison with the original design, but probably more in keeping with the evolution of time and circumstance. And as a Court it will be in charge of student discipline.
Other matters of great importance in University life are given careful consideration by the Trustees and the Senate.
The Medical supervision of students has been placed on a satisfactory working basis. Likewise the physical education of the women students.
The School of Navigation is fulfilling every purpose of organization.
The Canadian Officers' Training Corps is in a thriving condition. "Ninety students were in training during the session; thirty-six parades were held. The prospects for the coming session are good." The Battalion
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consists of two companies. For 1923-24 the officers were: Headquarters—Col. A. Macphail, Commanding; Lieut. J. C. Macgillivray, Adjutant. "A" Company—Major E. W. Skinner, Capt. H. Spencely, Lieut. J. A. Hannah, Lieut. E. O. Fleming, Lieut. E. A. Revells, Lieut. C. R. Salisbury. "B" Company:—Lieut. Col. P. G. C. Campbell, Capt. J. H. McMillan, Lieut. H. S. Mitchell, Lieut. F. G. Keyes, Lieut. T. T. Samis, Lieut. W. B. Thompson.
Other items of not a little interest might well find a place in the story, for the report is good and encouraging, but the limits of space preclude an extended notice.
With the most careful husbanding of resources, which are none too abundant, Board and Staff are giving the country educational work of the very highest order and quality. Knowing this, perhaps some of our citizens of culture and substance may remember the University's needs, and following the example of C. S. Campbell, K. C., and other generous benefactors, help on this splendid work; not wait until they are passing from the scene, but be witnesses of the fruits of their own beneficence, and the warm gratitude of Queen's.
In the course of the year Professor William Nicol, M.A., L.L.D., passed away much regretted by Board and Staff, whose feeling and appreciation are embodied in this resolution:
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1923-1924.
its high sense of the great services, as Teacher and Benefactor, rendered to the University, and to the advancement of scientific interests generally, by Prof. William Nicol, M.A., L.L.D., who passed away after a long and painful illness February 24th 1924.
Canadian born and bred, young Nicol availed himself of the best educational advantages offered in Canada, and afterwards for some time abroad. He entered Queen's as a student in 1879, and four years later graduated with honors in Science, having given special attention to Chemistry and Botany. Returning from Germany, where he had given close study to mining development and metallurgical processes, Professor Nicol was appointed Assistant Professor in Chemistry at Queen's; on the organization of the School of Mining to the Chair of Mineralogy in that Institution. He was retained in that department on the amalgamation of the School with the University, and on until the serious break-down of his health, 1916.
Dr. Nicol was an authority and enthusiast in every department, or branch of his work, and his devotedness and industry were to be seen in everything he touched. He gave lustre to the scientific work of the School of Mining and of the University. He had a prompt and helpful interest in his students, and if a sharp word ever escaped him, it was to men and students
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who wanted credit for a standard they had not reached, and who showed slackness and insincerity in their work. But he was the ready, unfailing friend of the deserving.
The extensive mineral collections he made for class and laboratory instruction, and the splendid gift of the Nicol Hall to provide facilities for the study of mining and metallurgy, are memorials of his generous and practical interest in the development of valuable industries, and in the welfare of his Alma Mater. The Board records its deep appreciation of the exemplary career, as teacher, and citizen, of Dr. Nicol, and of the University's loss by his sickness and death in mid-career, And, further, the Board extends to Mrs. Nicol, his faithful helpmeet, its profound sympathy in her bereavement."
Also, at a meeting of Senate, held today, April 1st, the following resolution was passed with reference to the late Professor Nicol, and ordered to be inserted in the Doomsday Book:
"The Senate of Queen's University desires to place on record its sense of the distinguished services rendered to the University by Professor William Nicol, LL.D., whose death occurred on February 23.
"This son of Queen's and Kingston was an all round student, winning prizes in History and French, but his special interest and delight was the out-of-door world. In his student days at Queen's he tested his
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powers in Chemistry and the different branches of Natural Science, winning the Gold Medal in Chemistry, the Silver Medal in Natural Science, and the Gowan Prize in Botany, and finally after some time spent in Germany, under the famous Goldschmitt of Freiburg, gave himself to the study of Mineralogy. By his extraordinary diligence and devotion he succeeded in making that department famous all over Canada and beyond.
"Absorbed though he was in his subject, he exerted himself to widen the influence of his Alma Mater, and with his first wife (Miss Forbes of Guelph) planned to erect a building, which she did not live to see, where Mineralogy might be adequately handled. The "Nicol" building is a monument to their loyalty and zeal.
It was a great loss to the University when Professor Nicol was compelled through illness to give up his Chair, and we extend to Mrs. Nicol, his faithful helpmeet through his long period of enforced inactivity our deepest sympathy in her bereavement."
And this from the Faculty of Applied Science:
"After a long and painful illness, William Nicol, M.A., LL.D., for twenty-five years Professor of Mineralogy in Queen's University, died February 24th, 1924. He was born at Cataraqui, Ont., on February 18th, 1861. He was educated in the public and high schools of Kingston, entered Queen's University in 1879, and was
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