OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

Evening Star, Issue 3449, 12 March 1874, Page 2

OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

A meeting of the Council of the Otago University was lull yesterday. The follow? ing resolutions, proposed by the Chancellor, were carried :

“ That in order to admit of a University •*xa mi nation of schools aud classes in educational establishments, with a view of granting certificates of proficiency not included in those connected with matriculation aud graduation, this University is willing to a I opt a course similar to that whi hj prevails at Oxford and Cambridge for granting such certificates, with such modifications as may be deemed necessary.” “ That, as it is des rable to have the University buildings, Professors’ residences, and accommodation for students from the country d strict s aud other Provinces, as com • dete md coinpac' as circumstances may admit;, with sufficient apace for recreation, it is resolved : “ 1. That the concurrence of the Superintendent and Executive Goveromant be obtaine l, in accordance with the Ist clause of the University of Otago Ordinance, 18G9. to tile disposal of the preseat University buildings and site, should the Government grant the Council another site in a favorable situation, an I should the pro.e.ds of the sale be sufficient, to erect a more commodious and eligible building. “That, should such concurrence be procured, the Finance Committee be requested to obtain from the Proviucial Government an assurance that they will grant the Uuivetsity some ten acres of land of the Cemetery Reserve granted to the Superintendent in ISG2, should the University be in a position to assure the Government that by the sale of the existing building and site they would be prepared aud able to carry out the previous resolution. ”

The following letter from the Superintendent was read at the Conference ; Superintendent’s Office, Dunedin, March 9, 1874. Sir,— Referring to the subject of our interview on Saturday, I have the honor to state that the question has been very fully considered by nsy responsible advisers and myself,

and that we are unanimously of opinion that it would be unwise for the University to relinquish any of the powers and privileges which it now possesses, unless Dunedin is to be the seat of the University of New Zealand, as was fully intended by the Colonial Legislature when it passed the University Act, 1870. At the same ti mU Ti S r'l'* Otago University Council and the Professors decide otherwise, the Governiqeut is prepared to acquiesce. I may say that we are unable to see any great advantage which would accrue to the Otago from affiliation to the Uui-

versity of New Zealand upon the terms inoposed, excepting the acquisition of LSOO a year out of the annual Parliamentary grant—a consideration which seems to be scarcely an equivalent for sacrificing its independence, and so tar sinking its individvality. Moreover, we cannot lose sight of the circumstance that the Otago University is the older of the two in point of origin, and the only one of the two which is fulfilling the functions of a University considerations which we feel assured must sooner or later weigh with the Colonial Legislature m distributing the funds of the Colony towards which Otago is such an important cononly other advantage from affiliation would be, that graduates might obtam degrees by virtue of Colonial instead of Provincial legislation. This is a matter upon which we think too much stress is apt to be laid; for, after all, degrees are m themselves comparatively unimportant and the , University which imparts to its students the highest intellectual and moral culture will be the one the degrees of winch will be most highly pri ze d, under whatever authority they may he granted The Government feels persuaded that, if extrinsic alue to its degrees is any desideratum, the Otago University has only to continue to aim high, to make provision for residence of both professors and students within its walls, and it will in due tune be recognised by the Crown, irrespective of the New Zealand University! an- i * co , . 0 action iu tlie matter of affiliation winch it is understood is being sought to be taicen by the Canterbury College, not being aware of the direction of the proposed action I am unable to pronounce any opinion on the subject. I may say, however, that we rejoice to see the neighboring Province setting up a teaching body on a scale equal to our own, and wo should be glad if there could be mutual cooperation, if not incorporation, between the two iqstitutjone. Might not the Canterbury Legia lature confer upon its College tht status of a

University 'with' similar functions to that of , aiu * then the two Universities might constitute a joint examining body for the contcmngof degrees upon the graduates of each. ~ • eru .i to adopt some such action as this, there would bo no difficulty in each ProJ' n fL 0 £ t!Um 2 g \ ts f , ull share of tile funds voted Zcala l4, University without detriment to the rest of the Coiony, nor would there I a ! d“ y m ef“ I Sta,t°' >taining * Roy " lohartel ' (Signed) J. Macandrew.