N.Z. UNIVERSITY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 3

N.Z. UNIVERSITY

ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL BEHAVIOUR OF STUDENTS bl’ TELEGRAPH.—PBESS ASSOCIATION. Christchurch, February 25. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand University Council to-,day the Chancellor, Professor Macmillan Brown, said he could not see that it was necessary to have a salaried official as principal of the University. It was suggested that he have certain duties as inspector of colleges. The Chancellor objected very strongly to this as likely to lead to friction among colleges, and might lead further to centralised control, to which he was strongly opposed. Examination Results. Reasons for the results of certain examinations being announced late were discussed in committee, but a motion was carried in open meeting asking that where the examiner found he was unable to mark his papers he should notify the head examiner immediately so that authorities might appoint a substitute without delay. Degrees in Theology. The question of making a provision grant for degrees in theology w*as raised by Mr. Sidey, M.P., who moved that the council authorise the committee to take evidence on the proposal. Professor Hunter characterised the proposal as a waste of time. The matter had been well discussed before the University Commission, and it was decided to take no action. The motion was agred to. Professor Hunter then moved that no expense for the taking of evidence be borne by the university. Mr. Strong, Director of Education, said the motion, if carried, would prevent the committee from operating. Mr. Dela Mare also protested against spending money on a question which experience had already shown was one purely of opinion. It was. decided that no expense be incurred in collecting evidence on the subject. Students’ Conduct. A letter from the Minister of Education, stating that “recent examples of disorder among university students at public functions and at public places have aroused a good deal of comment,” was read. Professor Segar: “I move that the letter be received as not calling for further action.” Messrs. Morrell and Sidey (Dunedin) gave Otago students a testimonial, saying that their conduct was not such as to require disciplinary action. Mr. I’owlds spoke similarly of Auckland students. The letter, he said, had reference probably to the conduct at last univer-

sity tournament in Auckland, where students of all the colleges had been present and to incidents on the students’ journey south, and at Christchurch railway station. The conduct at the tournament debate was a disgrace, and he believed in future debates would be held in the presence of the judges alone. Professor Macmillan Brown: 'lt was a bear garden.” Hon. Fowlds: “Worse. It was a pig garden.” He thought joint action of the Profesorial Boards would prevent future occurrences of the kind. Professor Hunter said it was unfair to blame the professors. They could not prevent tlie holding of tournaments. Professor Segar said they could never get any help from the students themselves in discovering offenders. Also some of the students were not total abstainers “Hut I have been at university debates which have been like church services,” he concluded. The letter was received, and it was decided to inform the Minister the College Boards had the matter well in hand.