the Auckland University College Act in 1882. The growth of the population of Wellington, and the gradual improvement of the economy in the late 1880s were key factors in the final establishment of the college. A prominent advocate of creation was Robert Stout, Premier of New Zealand and later Chief Justice, as well as a member of the university senate. In June 1886, as Minister of Education, Stout signalled the governments intent of introducing a bill to establish a centre for higher learning in Wellington. Being the centre of the colonial government, Stout cited the opportunity for the college to be able to particularly specialize in law, political science, and history. Stout further suggested that the staff of the New Zealand Colonial Museum could provide services in the fields of geology and natural history. This was indicated in the Wellington University College Bill of 1887, which meant the effective annexation of the museum. Colonial Museum director James Hector voiced considerable opposition to this bill. After a lengthy debate in parliament, this bill was promptly defeated. Establishment In 1897, the current premier, Richard Seddon, who had until this point been unsupportive of the university project, returned from Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Great Britain with an honorary Law degree from the University of Cambridge. Seddon decided that the establishment of a college in Wellington would be a suitable way to mark the Queen's jubilee year. When introducing the Victoria College Bill in December 1897, Seddon stated: ‘I do not think there will be any question as to the necessity for the establishment of a University College here in Wellington,’ The college was to be governed by a 16-man council, with their inaugural meeting taking place on 23 May 1898. Founding professors The founding professors of Victoria College were: John Rankine Brown - Professor of Classics Hugh Mackenzie - Professor of English language and Literature Thomas Hill Easterfield - Professor of Chemistry and Physics Richard Cockburn Maclaurin - Professor of Mathematics Early days While Victoria College had been legally founded, a grand, a council and a number of students, it had no physical property for the first decade of its existence. Early courses were held at Wellington Girls High School as well as the Technical School building on Victoria Street. The professors set about creating a unique identity for the college. The somewhat fitting motto "Sapientia magis auro desideranda" was adopted