NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1255, 15 March 1878, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

[Auckland “ Herald.”] The Senate of the New Zealand University met an March 7th, for the drat time in Auckland,. in the Council-room of the new buildings of the Auckland Museum, Princes street, —the Chancellor (H. J. Tancred) presiding. Present —The Vice-Chancellor (H. Carleton), Mr Justice Richmond, Captain Healc, Rev. Air Johnston, Right Rev, Bishop Redwood, Rev. D. Bruce, Rev, Thomas Buddie, Air 11. Maskell, Secretary. The Chancellor Inaugurated the session by reading the report of the progress of the University for the past year as follows : I have the honor to lay before the Senate a report of the progress of the University during the past year■ Regulations.—-The regulations passed at the last meeting have received the approval o. the Governor, and have been sealed wifK t &0 seal of the University. Appointment of Fello jvs—'Under the provisions of the University Act four Fellows oi the University Igavci. vacated their seats on account of, failure to attend two consecutive sessions or tfie’ Senate. I communicated this fact *o the Goyenuuent in April last, hut have hot yet

been informed that any action has boon taken thereupon. Ad kundem Degree's. —The applications received during the year will be laid before the Senate

University Reserves. —Certain resolutions were p issed by the Senate last year, urging upon the Government the necessity of defining the Univer.-ity endowment reserves, of legislating for the purpose of vesting in trustees the reserves for higher education, and of granting to the University an endowment equivalent to that which was taken from it in 1875. I transmitted these resolutions to the Government. With regard to the last point I received a reply to the effect that the Government considered the action of the Assembly of 1875 as finally disposing of the question. With regard to the definition of reserves, I was informed that in one case the time prescribed for such definition had expired ; that, in another case, native difficulties continued to impede definition, and that the Government considered that fresh legislation on the subject was necessary. I was further informed that the Government proposed to introduce a Bill at the ensuing session of the Assembly, for the purpose of obtaining the legislative powers required. I am not aware that such a Bill was introduced or passed through the Assembly. Examinations. —It was decided by the Senate at its last session that the examinations for degrees and scholarships should this year be held in the month of January. These examinations commenced on January 22nd, and ended on February 11th. There has not, therefore, been time for me to receive and to lay before the Senate the results achieved. I may inform the Senate that this year thirty-eight candidates announced their intention of competing for Junior Scholarships, twenly-three undergraduates took up either a section or the whole of the subjects of examination for the B.A. degree, and thirteen of these were candidates for Senior Scholarships. As directed by the Senate last year, I placed myself in communication with the Australian Universities with a view to obtain examiners there for our examinations, addressing myself, in the first instance, to the University of Melbourne. lam glad to he able to inform the Senate that the authorities of the Melbourne Univers ty cordially agreed to give the assistance asked for, and forwarded to me the names of a number of gentlemen recommended for appointment as examiners in the different subjects. As the time which has elapsed since the close of the examination has been so short, it has not been possible for me to receive the reports of the examiners upon the papers forwarded to them. I have, however, requested that, at least in the case of undergraduates, the names of those who may have succeeded in passing should be sent to me at Auckland by telegraph. lam in hopes that the list may reach me before the close of this session of the Senate, so that there may bo no delay in granting degrees to those who might become entitled to them. In case the information should, from any cause, not arrive before the end of the session, it might perhaps be desirable that the Senate should make such provision as may be found necessary for the granting of degrees during the recess to the successful undergraduates. Members of the University. —Nineteen students passed tr.e matriculation examination during the year. The number of undergraduates on the books of the University is now ninetyfour.

Bowen Prize. —The Bowen Prize of 187(5, awarded to Frederick Fitchelt, of Christchurch, has been presented to him in the shape of books to the value of .£lO. Two essays for the prize of 1877 were sent in during December last. These are now under the consideration of the examiners, and I hope shortly to receive their report thereon. The Senate will have to fix the amount of the prize for 1878.

Medical Degrees. — l was directed by the Senate last ye ir to inquire what were the reasons why the Registrar-General declined to register Ad Eawlem Medical Degrees of this University. I lay before the Senate the reply received on this subject.

Schedules of Examination. —The Senate last year resolved that a committee should be appointed to prep ire, during the recess, schedules of examination for the years 1880, 1881. I communicated this resolution to the gentlemen named as forming the committee, but from various causes they were not able to meet to draw up the schedules iu common. It appeared to me that under the circumstances the object of the Senate might be attained in another way, and I therefore requested the members of the committee to send in separate recommendations, each taking a branch of the whole scheme of examinations, classics, mathematics, &c, I lay before the Senate the replies received.

Conduct of Annual and Matriculation Examinations. I have received answers from certain of the affiliated Colleges as to the conduct of the annual and matriculation examinations, upon which I was directed to obtain their opinions last year. Degrees Conferred, —According to the wish of the Senate the degree of B.A. was formally conferred in public upon two students of the University who had gained that distinction in 187(5 —viz., upon Miss K. M. Edger, in Auckland, and upon Mr S. Solomon, in Dunedin.

Accounts. —The accounts of the University for tfco past year will be laid before the Senate. Medical Representation.— l have received a copy of a resolution passed by the Otago Medical Association, to the effect that it is desirable to increase the representation of the medical profession on the Councils of the New Zealand University and the University of Otago. I submit this resolution for the consideration of the Senate. Application was made to me by the authorities of the University of Otago for the appointment of a branch registrar in Dunedin, of students who have passed the preliminary examination required by the General Medical Board, of Great Britain. In the absence of any delegation from the '•'enate, I was unable to accede to the request; but I bring the question now under the notice of the Senate. Interpretation of Regulations. —lt is desirable that the Senate should decide upon the interpretation to bo put upon certain clauses of the regulations which are not at present exactly clear. For example, in section sof the regulation specifying the terms to be kept and the examinations to be passed for the B.A. degree, it is not clearly laid down whether an undergraduate is precluded from taking up more than five subjects with a view to passing in that number, even though he should fail in others. Again, the regulation respecting degrees in law does not state definitely whether the annual examinations are to be held by the affiliated institutions or by the University.

Standard of Examination. —Aft r ihe close of the session last year I received, through the Colonial Secretary, a letter from the Professorial Board of the University of Otago, respecting the maintenance of the present standard of the University Examinations. I lay before the Senate this letter, which is a continuation of correspondence originated during the last session, and which, moreover, has reference to a resolution moved by the ViceChancellor hut year, further consideration whereof was postponed.

Gilchrist Scholarships. —l addressed a letter in June last to the Colonial Secretary, requesting him to move his Excellency the Governor to apply to the authorities of the London University for the extension to this colony of the scholarships established by the Gilchrist Education Trust. I have not yet received a reply.

Refund of Expenses of Scholarship Examinations. —In accordance with the resolution of the Senate last year, I caused the expenses incurred for former Scholarship Examinations to be recouped lo the General Account of the University. The sum thus refunded amounted to .fiiOOO. H. J. Tancred, Chancellor.

March 6th, 1878. Resolutions Postponed from 1877. —The following resolution by the Vice-Chancellor was read :—“ That any student xnav be examined at any examination for a degree either in mathematics, Latin, or Greek ; provided always that he shall produce a certificate from the master of an affiliated institution that he has pursued in a satisfactory manner and in such institution the study or the subject which ho has chosen ; also thathe shall have given three months’ notice to the Chancellor; and if any such student', shall satisfy the examiner upon the subject of which notice shall have been given, he will' receive a certificate to that effect; and he will not be examined again in the same department as a condition of taking his degree of 8.A.” On the motion of the Yicc-Chancellor, all correspondence on the subject wlii-li had, taken place since last session of the Senate was read.

The consideration of the motion was adjourned to Friday.

Vmjw of Scholarships.—The Senate next proceeded to consider a motion by the Rev. David Bruce, also postponed from last session, in effect—“ That the value of University Scholarships be increased.” The further consideration of this motion was postponed until after the consideration of the general accounts.

Canterhubt College—The Senate next proceeded, to consider the question jjaiet-d,

during the last session in the telegram from the Board of Q-overnors of the CanterburyCollege ; also, the reports of Professor Shand, mid Mr Macrae, relating “ to the competition for Senior Scholarships by students in their third year.”

On the motion of the Rev. 1) Bruce, it was resolved—“ That a committee, to consist of the Vice-Chancellor, Mr Heule, Mr Justice Richmond, and the mover, be appointed to consider the recommendations contained in the letters of Mr Macrae and Professor Shand ; and how far these may be reconciled with the regulations respecting scholarship examinations.”