THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2648, 12 August 1871, Page 2

THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

The following is the memorial addressed by the ladies of Dunedin and the neighborhood to the Council of the Otago University : Dunedin, July 31, 1871. To the' Chancellor and Council of the University of Otago. Gentlemen —Hearing that there will be a full meeting of Council soon, we, the undersigned ladies of Otago, hasten to bring under your consideration the desirability of opening the doors of your University for the admission of ladies to the classes. On all sides it is admittted that the standard of education for women should be raised ; and this in no way can be more effectually furthered than by affording to them a participation in the many privileges which well-appointed Univcrsiti s are calculated to bestow. It is not in the power of private teachers, nor do the Government Schools of the Province—as now organised—profess to supply adequate means and inducemenlsfor continuing the process of a higher mental culture ; the privileges, therefore, at your disposal through the instrumentality of your College, by ladies, governesses, and schoolmistresses, if conferred, would be eagerly welcomed. We are the more encouraged to prefer our request from the fact that your Chancellor, Major Kjchardson, ip Ills inaugural address, made distinct reference tp the Universities as affording ipeans of confei ring a higher education upon women ; and also, that Professor Sale, in bis speech, expressed his willingness —indeed, the pleasure it would give him—to see ladies at his lectures, and in attendance at the classes. If we may venture an opinion we do not think that your Uxpversi'.y would depart from its dignity by allowing ladies to share its advantages ; on the contrary, it would rather reflect honor upon it. We therefore trust that if there be nothing in the constitution of the University which offers serious obstacles to the attainment of our wishes, that you will he pleased to grant them. We also desire to remind you of the acknowledged beneficial results which have accrued in the Home country from the now well-tried system of examinations for women by the Cambridge and other Universities. We regard a degree as neither more nor less than a certificate; and a great want to ladies and others preparing themselves for teachers is a standard to work up to. We would, therefore, respectfully suggest that not only those ladies (supposing admission to the classes granted) who are regular students of your University be allowed to become candidates, but that the boon be further extended ; and, on the plan of the University I

of London, ladies who may have studied at Home or elsewhere he admitted .as candidates for matriculation and degrees. We consider that the value of competition for a degree would be, to women intending to become teachers, far greater indirectly than directly. Few probably would pass, but inasmuch as a process of preparation is almost equal to a result, the higher culture would inevitably be attained, and thence shed its influence throughout every school and family in which it is adopted. We may add that, should this suggestion be acceded to, avcwould not wisli the standard of examination to be lowered, in any degree, on account of sex. Finally, avc beg to express our conviction, that in justice to all, if uo legal impediments exist, the Scholarships belonging to your University should also be made available to ladies for competition. We are, (.ientlemen, Very faithfully yours, [Here folloAV 149 signatures.] The Council unanimously agre d to accede to the prayer of the petition. We believe that in a few days ladies will be invited through the press to join the classes. The following resolutions on c >mmon school education Avere passed at the meeting of the Council, at which the ladies petition was considered: — That whereas it is highly probable that the General Assembly of Ncav Zealand will, during the ensuing session, introduce a Bill for aiding and regulating education in the Colony, and that such legislation may affect the educational system now in operation in Otago, and as it is therefore expedient that the Council of the University should express its opinion as to tne direction in Avhich any alt( ration might be made, it is therefore resolved— 1. Hist, in the opinion of this Council, the system of education now in operation is generally well adaped to impart a sound and liberal education. 2. That to increase its efficiency, and remove, so far as may be practicable all cause of complaint, it is expedient that, Avhile tlu Bible should he daily read, as provided foi by the Ordinance of 18(54, the school teachers should be precluded from giving instruction in or by any creed or formulary distinctive of any denomination.