UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1873, 24 February 1880, Page 3

UNIVERSITY SENATE.

The Senate resumed yesterday morning. Present—The Chancellor (H. J. Tancred, Esq.), Hon. W. Gisborne, Rev. Dr. Stuart, Professor Brown, Rev. 0. Fraser, Rev. Mr Bruce, Rev. Mr Johnston, Rev. J. Patterson, Professor Yon Haast, Rev. Mr Habens, Professor Sale.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Professor Brown brought up the report of the committee on the conduct of examinations.

On the motion of the Rev. 0. Fraser, the Senate reselvod—“ That the report should be printed and taken into consideration next day in the forenoon.”

The Rev. Mr Bruce laid before the Senate the report of the D.O.L. committee. _ It was resolved—“ That the consideration of the report be made an order of the day for next sitting day, and that the proceedings of the committee be laid before the Senate.”

The Rev. Dr. Stewart and the Hon. W. Gisborne reported the result of the interview with the Minister of Education on the questions of reserves for higher education and the privileges of medical schools as regards the hospitals. The report of the deputation was at once taken into consideration.

Dr. Stuart was of opinion that all they required to secure was that medical students and professors should be admitted to the hospitals to facilitate the work of the medical schools, and the Government ougnt to be asked to legislate with the object of giving such power of access to the schools. The Rev. Mr Habens remarked that by carrying into effect the suggestion of the last speaker the Senate would stand in the position of an authority outside the Hospital Boards, which was he thought hardly fair. He was of opinion that it ought to be purely a matter of arrangement between the Boards and medical schools, in which the Government should be umpire. If the Government would promise to make the necessary arrangements, reserving to itself the right of arbitration in case of disputes arising, that would, in his opinion, be the proper solution of the question. Dr. Stuart thought such a system would prove too cumbersome, and moreover, he thought it highly undesirable that the Senate should have to appeal to the Government against the Hospital Boards. Mr Fraser moved, " That in the opinion of the Senate it is essential for the proper working and due success of the medical schools, that in all hospitals maintained in places where medical schools exist in connection with the University, a proportion of wards should be allotted to some of the medical teachers and facilities afforded to enable the students to attend the hospital.” The Rev. Mr Habens moved as an amendment, “ That in the judgment of the Senate, legislation is necessary to secure a proper relation between medical schools and neighboring hospitals, and that this relation will best be secured by an agreement in each case between the authorities of schools on the one hand and the hospitals on the other; power being vested in the Government to arbitrate between them if necesary.” After some discussion, The Hon. Mr Gisborne said ho would prefer a wording to this effect—“ That a clause should bo introduced into any Hospital and Charitable Institution Bill to be passed by Parliament, enabling the Governor in Council to make equitable arrangements, when necessary, for hospitals being utilised for purposes of medical instruction, wlrer* medical schools exist in connection with the University.”

Professor Sale objected to each of the proposals, on the ground that they were not sufficiently definite. It should be understood that the officers of the schools should be exofficio members of the hospitals. The Bev. Mr Habens withdrew his amendment in favor of that read by Mr Gisborne, and thought the suggestion of Professor Sale might be added to or embodied in it. The Eev. Mr Fraser also asked leave to withdraw his substantive motion.

This was agreed to, and the following resolution eventually passed by general consent — “ That a clause be introduced into any Hospital and Charitable Institution Bill to be passed by Parliament, containing the following provisions—lst. That where medical schools exist in connection with the New Zealand University, the professors and lecturers in such schools be ex-officio members of the hospitals established there. 2nd. That the Governor in Council be enabled to make equitable arrangements, when necessary, for the hospitals being utilised for imparling practical instruction in such places as aforesaid ” The Eev. Chas. Fraser moved—“ That, with the view of aiding the secondary and other schools in preparing pupils for matriculation and competition for Junior Scholarships, the marks attained in the several subjects by competitors be forwarded to members of the Senate, the head master of the governing body of each school, and that each competitor shall receive the number of marks allotted to him.”

After some discussion as to the desirability or otherwise of publication of marks, the above resolution was withdrawn, the mover being satisfied in that the importance of the general question involved had been recognised. The election of Chancellor and ViceChancellor was the next business on the order paper. The Senate went into committee.

On resuming. The report of the committee was read, recommending that H. J, Tancred, Esq., be

re-appointed Chancellor, and that Dr. Hector be elected to the office of Vice-Chancellor. It was resolved to consider the above report on Wednesday, March 3rd. The Senate then went into committee to further consider the annual report. At half-past twelve o’clock the Chancellor reported progress and obtained leave to sit again. It was resolved, on a recommendationfrom the committee—“ That it be an instruction to the committee on the entrance examination to consider the convenience of the time for the Junior Scholarships and Entrance Examinations, and that the letter upon this subject from the head master of the Wellington College be referred to the same committee.” The Senate adjourned at one o’clock, to meet again at ten o’clock this morning.