OPENING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2615, 5 July 1871, Page 2

OPENING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO.

In order to adapt the building to the uses of the University, considerable changes have been effected, the most marked beiqg an' entire re-arrangement and re-modelling of the principal staircase, entrance hall, and central hall. Previously the only direct entrance to xhe interior of the building on the principal floor, from the staircase, was by a door under one of the flats ef the stair—the door being scarcely of ordinary dimensions, and leading into a passage, certainly not well lighted, from which doors led into the main hall. By the re-arrangement.,of the staircase the whole of the available space is thrown into an open, well-lighted hall, from which direct access is obtained by foldingdoors into the main hall, through a central archway of proportions somewhat in harmony with the importance of the building; The alteration in this part is simple and effective ; and if the ceiling of the staircase were treated in corresponding raannrr to the new roof of the main hall, and return balconies carried across at the level of tha present balcony entering into the clock tower communicating with the present landing of the staircase, the effect would be rendered still more satisfactory and complete. The main hall has been altered most materially, the old roof having been entirely removed, and an open panelled roof substituted in its place. The roof is Subdivided into six bays by eliptically formed principals, springing from moulded corbels ; a wellproportioned enriched cornice- finishing the wall lines between each set of principals; the comice being thoown well forward so as to have the effect of improving the proportions of the hall. The principals are moulded on front, and upper spandr Is filled in with well-relieved fretwork. The whole of the regaining portion of the ce’Uflg between tHe principal* is doited panelled

work—the panels being of kauri timber styles and rails of red pine, and mouldings of white pine, all left in t’ eir natural color, except in the central panels, which are fitted with cut fretwork, finished white with gilt stars relieved. The principals being also finished white with relieved panels, the contrast thus obtained is very effective ant. pleasing. In two of the bays large gas sum lights have been placed of the latest patent design, with ornamental cresting borders and polished reflectors. Over each sunlight ventilating tubes pierce the roof, and at each end ventilating flues, double formed, have been placed, and shafts earned up to the height of the ordinary chhnney-heads of the building—the fretwork panels acting as conductors for the vitiated air to these apertures. The lighting of the mam hall is through a series of direct glass panels on each side of the roof, and appears to be thoroughly satisfactory. The hall has been dado-lined with colonial timber in similar character to the roof, and a massive Oamaru stone chimney piece placed to the fireplace. THE INAUGURATION. This long looked for event took place th:s afternoon in the presence of one of the largest and most brilliant assemblages ever seen m Dunedin. Long before the hour for th. commencement of proceedings —three o clock —the large hall of the University, which has lately undergone a complete metamorphosis, and by reason of the improvements described above, looks remarkably well, was filled to overflowing. Precisely at three o’clock the Chancellor of the University (the Hon Major Richardson, ML.G.), attended by the Vice-Chancellor, the Rev, D. M. Stuart, the members of the University Council, and Professors Sale, Shand, and Macgregor, entered the hall, and were received with military honors by a company ol Cadets under the command of Stuff-Sergeant Stevens. On the platform was a large num her of gentlemen, among whom we noticed the Hons. Dr Buchanan, J. M'Lcan, and M Holmes, Messrr W. H. Reynolds, J Bathgat *, D. Reid, J. B. Bradshaw, D. H. Mervyns, M.H.R.’a ; the whole of the Provincial Executive, the Speaker and members of the Provincial Council, the Mayor and City Council; the Bishop of Dunedin; the Revs. E, G. Edwards, G. Sutherland, W. Will, W. Gillies, J. Bannerman, J. M‘Naugbton, T. Roaeby, -I. Williams, Issit, W. Reid, &c., &c., The Chancellor before proceeding with the business of the day, called upon the Vice Chancellor to offer up prayer, which the Rev. Mr Stuart, did in very impressive terms The following letter from his Honor tht Superintendent was read : _ *» - IR> —I regret that having met with an accident which has detained me at homo for some days past, 1 am unable to be present at tho opening of the Otago University tcday. 1 regret my being absent all the more, inasmuch as in my opinion the ceremony of inaugaration this afternoon, marks what is in many respects as yet, the most important epoih i i the history of the Province of Otago if not of the Colony. I should have been glad had the University come forth at once with all th ejmstige of being recognised as a Colonial instead of a Provincial Institution. Such, undoubtedly, was the intention of the Colonial Legislature in passing the Act of last session, which intention I hope still to see earned into effect. Be this as it may, however, 1 feel assured that the University of Otago, if n .! t U jure will be defacto the University of New 25 .aland. Much, of course, will depend upon the professors, and judging from the high character and attainments of these gentlemen although they may have difficulties and discouragements to contend against at the outsetth, ere need be little fear as to the result. I confess'lhat my own aspirations lead me 10 anticipate for the University of Otago a much greater than even New Zealand fame IE it be that the influence of climate has so much to do with the development of mental as of physical vigor, then, I think that all other things being equal, the University which you arc this day inaugurating is not unlikely to bo ’the principal seat of learning in the Southern Hemisphere—at all events there can be no harm in aiming thus I have only further to request, in the nipne and on behalf of the Province, that you will be good enough to convey to the Professors the assurance of a most hearty welcome and the expression of an earnest hope, that they may long be spared to work out for themselves a renown which will be alike honorable to them and to the land of their adoption,—l have, &c , “J. Macanurew. The Chancellor then rea l his inaugural address, of which the following is a resume : Few could but regret the loss sustained by the death of the late Dr Burns, who took deep interest in the foundation of the University, who looked upon it as the completion of the educational system. The University was looked upon by himself and Captain Cargill as its coping stone. When universities of the old world were looking at their foundations, it was fos qs tq look to the purposes intended by Its founding. The qniversitles of the old world could look back to a long line of illustrous men whose purpose was to train men for the future. Twenty-three years ago settlers arrived in Otago, under the scheme o founding churches and schools, and a university connected with the Free Church of Scotland. The plan, intended to extend over four hundred thousand acres, was only partially successful. The educational system was therefore remodelled. Education must exclmle all exclusiveness of religion, race, and creed. Connected with such a system is the adoption of a plan that recognises the Bible as the most influential agent in moral culture, and its being daily read in our schools. In conformity with this spirit the educational system of Otago has progressed in liberality. (The bon. Major described the educational system of the Province, and cave extracts from the report of the Secretary of the Board of Education.) After fair calculations, the cost per head of each child for education was about 10s —the most liberal and cheap of any country. He commented upon the conduct of the High School, and expressed especial pleasure in the success of the Girls’ High School. lie would be glad if arrangements could be made for ministers of religion to visit schools for a half an hour or an hour a day, to give children instruction in religious education. Particular days might be appointed for each denomination. A national schoolmaster had a different mission. Although the line botwoep seaqlap and religious wqs tp q certain extent undefined, yet schoolmasters, teapiling distinctive theological theory was to be condemned, Well paid and competent inspectors of iohools should ho appointed, and the

results of the examinations should be made public. Trained and certificated teachers were necessary, and a training college should ha established, for fitness for teaching should he considered absolutely necessary. Teachers should be well paid, otherwise the best men would not be selected, and the office of teacher would be degraded. The Chancellor then went into the arrangecents of the Government for providing a New Zealand University, and gave an account of the reasons that had led to the founding of the Otago University on an independent basis, which have already been published. He pointed out that the Province had a full right to the sums voted for scholarships in the New Zealand University. The University cammenced its career with four Professors, one scholarship value of L4O and three others. The University has given prominence to the sciences above the classics, which however tended to accuracy of thought. At Eton, too great prominence was given to the Classics ; it would be impossible to overrate its advantages, but the advantages would be useless without cooperation of all parties. In Mias Nightingale’s words, he would say, “ Work—work m silence for years—but in the end it would not be time lost.” Although only two students presented themselves for examina tion at the first year of the Melbuin e University, last year it was The annual n • mber applying for examination at Oxford and Cambridge was not more than doub'e ; hat number. He had every hope that the liberality of the' Superintendent and Provincial Council would not be lost, and he trusted many who were trained in mechanical and commercial pursuits would endeavour to redeem the past, and devote themselves to the acquirement of that education denied in early years; yet it was said that so few above fifteen years were to be found at school. He would in conclusion state his conviction that every boy should go through a drill, so that in manhood he might be able to defend his country—that their health might be established, and habits of attention and prompt action cultivated. It had been said that the tendency of the age was towards materialism through too much attention to science. This was a misstatement. The statement bad been made that society was under the influence of general laws, and that there was no special providence. This might have been overlooked were it not for the diffusion of cheap literature ; and to meet this fallacy it was necessary to study science in its more attractive form. Ignorance on this point was because the missionaries of science would not stoop to explain her secrets in simple language. He enumerated the abundant opportunities of the present day for both sexes to attain knowledge of science. The contest between religion and science was with those who misinterpreted facts which masters in science had loft for future investigation. True science advanced with slow steps. There was a theology without religion ; there was science without theology. Religion was recorded in the Bible, and science was taught in nature. The two books conveyed but one idea of a Supreme Being. All sciences illustrated revelation. The man of science should not attack theology, nor should theology be too hardy in denouncing the discoveries of science. Every step in philosophy brought us nearer to a First Cause, Lord of the Universe, Lord and Governor. The Christian religion was based upon purity and morality, enforced not by the sword, but by its adaptation to the human mind, to prepare it for a future world. At the conclusion of his address, the Chancellor announced that the Professors would attend at the University at noon tomorrow, and at eight o’clock in the evening, in order to classify the students. It was gratifying to find that thirty students had entered their names, and it was reported that others were prepared to do so.