THE UNIVERSITY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1343, 22 January 1912, Page 5

THE UNIVERSITY.

j fr ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SENATE. THE CHANCELLOR'S ADDRESS, QUESTIONS OF REFORM. The annual meeting of tho Senate of tho University of No-.v Zealand was formally opened at Victoria College on Saturday, at noon, wlion there were present the following members:— The Chancellor' (Sir Robert Stout); Vice-Chancellor (Hon. Sir Charles Bowen); Professor J. Macmillan Drown (Christchurch), Mr. J. AV. Tibbs and Dr. M'Dowell (Auckland), Professor Salmond and tho Rev. A. Cameron (Dunedin), Messrs. H. F. Von Haast and L. Cohen (Wellington), representing the Courts of Convocation for their respective districts, the Rov. W. A. Evans (Wellington), Professor R. J. Scott (Clirisicluirch), Professor Sliand and Mr. James Allen, M.P, (Dunedin), representing tho councils of the affiliated colleges in the districts named; Professors ,T. R. Brown (Wellington), and F. D. Browne (Auckland), representing their professorial boards, tho Hon. Dr. Collins, Dr. Fitchett, and Mr. G. Hogbcn (Wellington), ahd Mr. H. A. Gordort (Auckland), appointed by the Governor-in-Council. THE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT. A TILT AT THE REFORMERS. In his annual report, the Chancellor of tho University (Sir Robert Stont) prefaced his remarks with a reference, .to the death of Mr. James Hay, a late member of the Senate, and of Lord Lochee, one of tho university's examiners. "Mr. Hay," said the Chancellor, "was appointed to tho Senate in 18S9, so that for twenty-two years he has been one of our members. His career in our university was a most distinguished one, and wo who have been associated with him for many years will ever remember tho many services he rendered to university education. Lord Lochee, known before his elovation to tho peerage as Edmund Robertson, who was one of the many distinguished outside examiners that our university has had, died in September last. Ho examined in tho subjects of Jurisprudence and constitutional history for tho years 1903 to 1907. His career was a most brilliant one, alike in tho Universities of St. Andrew's and Oxford, at the Bar, and in the House of Commons. The Reform Agitation. "The Education Committee of the House of Representatives," ho proceeded, "had under consideration at the last sitting of Parliament a petitioA from thirteen professors and lecturers of Victoria College. I was invited to attend beforo tho committee, I accepted tho invitation, made a statement, and gave evidence. The petitioners prayed for the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into tho question of reform in university administration and education in New Zealand. It may bo interesting to note' that' the counsel who appeared for tho petitioners stated that if Dr. Hill, who was for about a year Professor of Anatomy in tho Royal College of Surgeons, in London, and Master of a minor collogo (Downing College) in Cambridge; Mr. Hosking, IC.C., of Dunedin; the. Hon. Mr. Fowlds and Mr. M'Nab were appointed commissioners, 'their rpport would bo so authoritative and of such weight and importance in tho whole community, that their suggestions would be l: carried into effect, without any difficulty .at all.' "It is'no doubt well for the Legislature and Executive Government to know whore body of infallible experts that can settle all educational problems is to bo found. It may be noted that 110 present or past university professor in New Zealand, and no one who has been a member of the Senate, and who has had, perhaps, : 'to. bear ithe heat and! burden, or. tad in * University education, was deemed by the petitioner's eligible for appointment as a commissioner. Tho appreciation by tho majority of the Victoria College professors and lecturers of tho knowledge or past labours of the professors and members of Senate does not seem to bo great... "A Kitchener in Education." "Tho question of university reform has been discussed recently in Oxiord, in Cambridge, and in Paris> and doubt Nefr Zealand will bo envied in having sorno' university teachers who can select four gentlemen whose pronouncement on university education will be deemed by the community final and conclusive. May this not be a further example, of the way in which it is said New Zealand leads tho world? It does scern to mo peculiar that professors, who object to oxaminers in Britain examining our students' in accordance with defined curricula of studios, aro prepared to recommend tho Government to go to Britain to get what their counsel calls a 'Kitchener in education,' 0110 who can give 'the best advice, tho best wisdom, and tlie highest talent' regarding our university probloms, though of our history or social life tho 'Kitchener' may have little knowledge. "Tho question has been raised by tho Education Committee as to tho position that professors should occupy in tho administration of university education. It may not be amiss if I draw tho attention of tho Senate, first, to \Vhat is considered by those in the United Kingdom who have tho responsibility of creating new universities, should bo the position of professors; and, second, to' how the British Parliament set about carrying out such reform when reform of university education was decreed necessary." Tho speaker then traversed the main points of the government of the University of Bristol, tho latest of the British Universities. "I think," ho observed, "that a careful study of tho most recoilt university constitution in England will show that we can obtain little help in considering how a university institution should bo constituted in Now Zealand. The circumstanees in England are very diiferent from ours." Tho Chancellor then .referred to tho constitution of the principal universities in Scotland, and concluded"A survey of tho evolution of tho management of tho modern university, both in Scotland and England, will show that it is entirely incorrect to say that tho legislative power of any university is vested in the professors. They may make recommendations, but the alwolule legislative power is always vested in a body in which tho teachers of the university aro in a minority. The B.A. and B.Sc. Degrees. "It will bo remembered," said tho Chancellor, passing on to tho matter of amending the statutes referring to the B.A. and B.Sc. degrees, "that at the last meeting of tho Senate it was resolved to forward to. tho professorial boards and the Courts of Convocation, for their advice thereon, cortain questions. Those questions were:— "1. Whether the present degrees of B.A. and B.Sc. should be amalgamated. . "2. Tho limitation of two subjects. "3. The desirability of the professorial boards approving of tho courses to bo taken by students. "i. Tho sovoral limitations and the subjects in tho report of tho Recess Committee. "5. If amalgamation is approved of, ought tho Bachelor of Science degree to bo retained as a special science degree? "G. What, if any, subjects should be compulsory?" Gentle Sarcasm. In accordance with tho resolution of tho Senate* tho professorial boards and Courts of Convocation were communicated with, and tho replies received. A joint memorandum from tho Victoria College and Canterbury College Professorial Boards, stales that these boards are of opinion that 110 general agreement on questions of polity cart be reached by the four colleges deliberating separately, and that professorial conferences should bo held regularly; and they reaffirm the 1 finding of tho Professorial Conference as to questions 1, 2, 3, and G, and that 4 and 5 call ollly lie dealt with adequately by 0 further professorial conference. ' The Auckland University Collego Professorial Hoard approved of tho answers (hat had , previously been given to questions 1, 2, 3, [ and 4 by the Professorial Conference. As 1 to 3, they answer 'No,' and as to li they .jloal with tha subjects that should be

compulsory or voluntary. Tho Otago Professorial Board, which is, after, all, file board that lias tlio largest number of members of any of the university colleges, disagrees with tho findings of llio Professorial Conferoncc. "The District Convocation of Otago sent in a report which seams to 111 c to contain reasonable suggestions. I think it is to that the'- Canterbury and Victorian professors wore unable lo express any opinion 011 two of the ques-tions-fmbmittcd to thorn, without a conferenco with their fellow professors in Auckland and Otago. No doubt this confession of their inability is 0. high compliment to pay to their brethren in tho . otlior university colleges, but I would have thought that as experts they might lliivo been able to express an opinion without consulting their brethren in Auckland and Otago. As They do in Scotland. "Tho principle laid down by tlio ordinances passed by tho University Commissioners of Scotland is that there shall be four departments of study for graduates of arts with or without honours, with such additions and nioditicatons as may lie made by the Senate with tho approval of tho University Court; provided always that no subject shall bo included unless a qualifying course shall have been established therein, and that tho University Court shall communicate to tho General Council all such additions and modifica-' lions relating to llio definition of grouping subjects and the several departments of study, their selection for tho curriculum and their classificathn as cognate, and any representation made thereon by the General Council within two months from the date of such representation shall bo token into consideration by tho- University Court before any such- addition, modification, selection, or classification is approved. Tho four departments ara named: 1, Language and' Literature; 2, Mental Philosophy; 3, Science; 4, Ilistory and Law. There must bo five subjects for tho ordinary degree, of which two shall each bo studied for two academical years, and the degree examinations in thoso two subjects shall bo in a higher standard than the degree examination in the other threo subjects." Tho University Year. ■ Reviewing the university year, tho Chancellor remarked that the work had been well maintained in tho Dominion. The number of candidates for entrance examinations in 1911 was 1203, and tho number for degree examinations was 2010. It had been asked by the Education Hoard of Taranaki that tlio compulsory subjects if tho entrance scholarship, anil matriculation examinations should be different for those who wished to take up • a science, course, and for those who wished to take up an arts coursc in tho univers- ■ ity." "In other words," ho said, "it was suggested that tlio university revert to the system which was once in forcc, but which was abolished about twenty years ago. In this connection it may bo'interesting to noto tlio number of entries for' the various 'matriculation subjects, comparing this year with n, previous year. Tlio following table gives the percentage taking individual subjects (1010 figures in brackets)f English (100.00), 100.00; aritlimctio (100.00), algebra (89.8), geometry (80.8) — old system, no statistics for 1911; mathe. matic.s (—), 100.00; Latin (84.7), 85.80; Greek (.58), .26; French (58.7), 57.70; German .(.86), .30; history (50.5), G5.3; geography (G-t.9), G5.3; mechanics (2.4), 2.00; heat (7.39), 9.20; electricity (8.1), O.tltlj chemistry (17.03), 18.20; botany (20.00), 20.30; zoology (30.9), 25.70; agriculture (0.17); 5.00; music (0.10), 3.00;. drawing (25.3), 1G.00; Maori' (.19). 0.00. "As drawing is taken mostly by those candidates who wish to qualify for engineering preliminary; it might bo considered whether drawing should not form one of the subjects of tho engineering entrance examination, instead of the matriculation examination, especially as the cost of conducting tho drawing examina-' tion in three branches is very heavy. 'It might also be considered whether, in view of the small number of entries, it is worth whilo retaining Maori-and music:'(which , are- liot regular .school subjects) in tlio list of matrioulation subjects." Junior. Bursars and National Scholar^ Continuing, the Chancellor referred to tho fact that the Education Department had made ail alteration ns to tho amount allowed for fees to tho junior univc-rsitv scholars and bursars. Hitherto, junior university scholars as bursars had been entitled to an allowance of foes paid by them for admission. In the regulations published by the Education Department, it is stated that where a junior university'; scholar receives less than a senior national scholar such' part of his foes shall bo refunded by way of bursary as will m'ako his scholarship equal in value to a senipr national scholarship. On the University Offico applying to 'tlio Department; l for certain fees of junior,university scholars. it was informed that the payment of such.fees was limited to £20 on-behalf of I each scholar in any one year; and it was fnrtlio' stated by tho Department that in regard to junior university scholars boing considarcu' bursars, it .was onlv a tom-i porary eoneessin, and that they "were in no way entitled to the concession. Further, the Department intimated that steps wotild bo taken to so amend the regulations ai to exclude junior university schol- ■ aas. from benefits as a bursar. ' : : "This decision of the l-klueation' Department,'' said the Chancellor, "seems to Ixs not in accovd with what the University understood -was to ba done by the Education Department for junior university': scholars, and the amount payable t>o junior university scholars was lednced on the understanding, thit theso fees were to lie paid. If tho amount of tho refunded fem is limited to .£2O, it means that tho first ten scholars on our list may receive - loss than the next twenty scholars, for the:, of national scholars have not been so limited by the Education Department." . . . If fomo alteration is not made incur University statute,'it will mean that tine obtaining of n junior university scholarship, though of greater distinction'so far as the marks attained by examination is concerned, will lx> nf less value than a senior national scholarship. I presume tlio Univcrstiy will have to take steps to increa.se the value'of tho junior university scholarships, and if the funds cannot permit this to be done without limiting the number, then the number will, 1 presume, havo to bo reduced." Music Examinations, "During the year," continued the Chanoellor, "eomiihinicotion has been held between our University Office and the University of Melbourne in reference to the question of somo agreement being come to in Australasia regarding musical examinations. All the universities of the Australian Commonwealth havo coiMc to an ! understanding, and it is thought that pesI sibly our University might ioin'. I expect that a representative from the Melbourne I University may be able to be present in Wellington during tho sitting of our Sonate. If so. the Music Committee will no doubt bo able to confer with him, and seo if a.nv arrangement or understanding is possible. University Finance. disclosed an income of .£12,413 9s. 4d.—statutory grant, .£3000; fees, .C75G5 lis.; interest, ~£1221 15s, .Id,miscellaneous receipt's, .£62g 3s. Id. Tlio expenditure totalled ,£10,283 ss. 4d„ the balanoe being .£2130,i5. "Tho Investnieut Committee appointed last session has had several meetings," said tho Chancellor, "and it has been suggested that the amounts held bv tlio University 111 trust might bo invested by the' Public Trustee, who is willing to guarantee a certain rate of interest." At the oonclusion of tho address, the Senate adjourned till 10 o'clock this morning, when consideration of the report will bo made the first order of tlio day. SPECIAL EXAMINATIONS. LAW AND MEDICINE. The following are recorded as having passed special examinations, held April, 1911, (The successful candidate havo previously been notified, but the results have not yet been made public); LAW. Final Solicitor's Law.—George Edwin Lisle Alderton, Colin Campbell ilierliacki, Leonard Buddie, Arthur Thomas Joiie.s, Edward Onotiki Mousley, Charles Richardson, Frank Oswald Victor Achescm. Final LL.l3.—George Cficliton Maltby, ' MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY. Intermediate.—Herbert Rattray, orpanic chemistry; James MncMurray Colo, : organic chemistry; Owen Glendowor Evans, organic chemistry; Solwyn Langstaff Haslott, organic chemistry; Charles Ernest, Herons, biology; Archibald Ma-

eill, physics; Charles Richard Stowart Roberts, .inorganic chemistry; Everard Oswald Rowley,, organic chemistry; Ncel Whitton, inorganic chemistry; Robert i uld ret! Withers, biology, • physics, inurganic' • chemistry, ami organic', chemistry ; Ireno Woodhouse, _ inorganic chemistry and organjc chemistry. .First Professional.—Jiunes llocdongall Turner, physiology and', materia medica; Lanc-L- James Potior, materia medica; Irwin Eric Faris, anatomy and physiology : Dougald George Afathoscm, arm torn y and physiology; James Garfield Mitchell, anatomy; Thomas Harold I'ettit, anatomy; Oswald James Raid, physiology; Alexander Jfeifclejohn Trotter, anatomy; Kenneth Isaac Woodward, physiology. Second Professional; —William rarqiihar I'indlay, materia medica John Graham (low, materia medica; Eric Arthur AViddowson, pathology, materia medica, medical jurisprudence, and public health.