PROVINCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1201, 28 November 1873, Page 3

PROVINCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

(To the Editor of the EvEjqNO Stab.) Sir, —In yesterday's issue of the Star you gave the subjects prescribed for competition for Provincial Scholarships. Will you alloAv me to make a few remarks on the chillies made this year on the subjects prescribed. In addition to the subjects analogous to those of last year there have been added for what is called the open scholarship, Euclid four hooks; algebra up to Surds and Indices, with one book of the iEneid of Virgil, and three books of Charles XII. Have the Commissioners forgotten that they have invited boys from twelve years of age to take part in this examination ? It is very plain that no boy under the maximum age of sixteen could make a decent appearance in such an examination unless very precocious. The amount of mathematics seems to be specially preposterous. Add two more hooks of Euclid, and you have a severer test than is applied-to candidates seeking to graduate in the University of Edinburgh. A familiar acquaintance with the mnthematics here prescribed should therefore be looked for in a youth who has completed his University course rather than in a boy to whom the advantages of two j'ears at our Grammar School is held out. The result of presenting such subjects for examination will probably be that the competition will be confined exclusively to Grammar School pupils. And I would call upon our new Superintendent to see that this farce of an open scholarship be not enacted next year. It seems to me that the subjects have boon prescribed either by those who are ignorant of the practical work of teaching, or that they were selected with an ulterior design, viz., that of preparing for the University scholarship examination. If the Commissioners think to elevate the standing of their pupils in this way good and well, but don't let them sail unders false colours, and call the examination a competition for an open scholarship. Let the scholarship be simply designated a grammar-school scholarship intended to prepare for a University scholarship. Again I might call your attention to the fact that the age of competitors is extended a year on this occasion. Last year the age was from 12 to 15, this year it is from 12 to IG. Last year the best scholars at the Grammar School were under 15, this year one at least of the best (I give you his name on a separate slip) is above 15, and there may be more. You see then how the limits suit the Grammar School, but of course it would be improper to insinuate that this is to be attributed to anything but a happy coincidence. Mr Editor, I will conclude with asking if it be wise, not- to say just, to ignore - the interests of schools oajTside our plethoric public institution.—l. am, r&c., Peter Mason.