NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1876, 27 February 1880, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

The Senate resumed yesterday at ten o'clock, the Chance'lor presiding. There were present—Hon. H. J. Miller, Hon. W. Gisborne, Eev. D. Bruce, Dr. Hector, Profossor Brown, Eev. J. C. Andrew, Bev. O. Fraser, Rev. W. Johnston, Bav. Dr. Boseby, Professor Bale, Bev. Mr Habene, Professor Von Haast, Professor Shand, Bev. J. Paterson.

The committee appointed to consider the operations of the Royal Commission reported as follows : The committee has considered the various recommendations made by the Commissioners, and recommend that inasmuch as the report contains much debateable matter, the Senate itself might more properly take the various points raised into its consideration. With this view the committee present tho following as the chief questions for consideration— 1. That the connection between the University and its affiliated institutions should cea.se, and that there be at least four colleges placed on an equal footing in their representation in the Senate.

2. That the Colleges in Otago and Canterbury be two of these Colleges.

3. That new Colleges of a similar character be established in Wellington and Auckland. 4 That the Colleges in Otago and Canterbury be reconstituted.

5. That the Senate of the University be reconstituted.

A list of additional topics and questions has been prepared in going over the draft Bill, with the view of facilitating the consideration of the Bill by the Senate. The Senate postponed consideration of the above report until later on. The committee on diploma for honors submitted their report as follows : We recommend that on the diploma for Master of Arts, the Chancellor add the words with class honors in (naming the department or departments in which honors are taken), so that the diploma for honors will read—"A.B. has been duly admitted to the degree of Master of Arts in the University of New Zealand, with class honors in . Given under my hand this day of one thousand eight hundred and . C. D., Chancellor." PaOFBSSOB Bbown, Chairman of Committee.

On the motion of Professor Brown, it was resolved that the recommendations of tho committee should be embodied in the regulations.

Rev. Mr Frasor moved —" That candidates for junior scholarships be required to state tho school or schools at which they have received their education for the five immediately preceding years; and that at the announcement of the results of the examination, this information in respect of successful candidates be published together with the names of such candidates." Seconded by Professor Brown and carried. Professor Von Haast moved —" That to the examination paper for junior scholarship, C, in modern languages,' Questions on grammar' be added." After somo little discussion, it was decided to refer the question involved in the above resolution to the committee on entrance examinations, the name of Professor Von Haast being added to that committee. Dr. Hector moved—" That it is desirablo that the University should acquire the power of granting honorary degrees." He remarked that this resolution had been given notice of on the occasion of a discussion which took place as to the granting of ad eundem degrees. As a difference of opinion existed on the subject, he thought it desirable to obtain tho power of granting honorary degrees direct.

Professor Sale favored the resolution, inasmuch as it might prevent offence to persons who had already been granted ad eundem degrees by the University, and who might otherwise consider the resolution passed on Tuesday in the light of an affront. The motion was carried. Rev. Mr Bruce moved—" That tho Senate at its rising do adjourn to meet at Wellington, on the third Wednesday of February, 1881." Seconded by Dr. Hector, and carried. Professor Sale moved—" That in future no special text books bo prescribed for the examination for the degree of LL.B." Dr. Hector seconded the motion.

The Rev. Dr. Roseby thought they required a more detailed schemo for examination for thia degree, and suggested that the question should be referred to a committee. Ho thought it would be desirable to specify (to a certain extent) the subjects for examination, the general formula being too indefinite. Professor Shand read the evidence of Mr Justice Williams on this subject, aa given before tho Commission. The Rev. Mr Habens approved of Professor Sale's motion. Unless text books were abolished, the examination would simply be an effort of memory, The Rev. O. Fraeer, Rev. J. Paterson, Rev. D. Bruce, and Dr. Hector spoke to the question, and a conversational discussion ensued. Professor Brown agreed with Professor Sale, but at the same time he would suggest

that the question should be referred to a small committee, who should get advice on the matter before they decided. He moved as an amendment—" That the question be referred to a committee." Professor Sale pointed out that the adoption of his motion would not interfere with the recommendation by competent persons of a course of reading for students. Rev. Mr Johnston supported the amendment.

After some further discussion, the amendment was withdrawn, and Professor bale's motion carried.

The Chancellor here stated that he had received a letter from Professor Bickerton, making suggestions as to medical examinations.

It was suggested that the letter should be referred to a committee.

Professor Von Haast said he intended to move a resolution which would embrace the questions contained in the letters of Professor Black and Professor Bickerton, and they could then be discussed.

At the suggestion of the Chancellor, Professor Von Haast gave notice of a motion dealing with the matters referred to. Professor Sale moved—" That the Chancellor be rcqucsled to convey the thanks of tho Senate to Dr. Carpenter for the valuable services rendered by him in connection with the University Examinations of 1879—80, and to ask him for his assistance in securing the services of examiners for the 8.A., LL.B., M.A., Senior Scholarship, and Honors Examinations for 1830 81, in aii the subjects except Jurisprudence and Constitutional History." Seconded by Dr. Hector and carried. Professor Sale moved —" That in the event of the proposed arrangement for the appointment of examiners in England not being known to be completed before the Ist August next, the Chancellor be authorised to secure Examiners in sufficient time for the November Examination?." Dr. Hector seconded.

The motion was agreed to without discussion.

The two resolutions following were also moved by Professor Sale:—" 1. That in the event of its being found necessary to appoint examiners in New Zealand, two examiners be appointed for each subject. 2. That the examinations of 1880 81 commence on Monday, the 15 th November."

The first resolution was carried. Mr W. M. lilaskell, the Registrar, remarked with regard to the second motion, that the examinations would occupy at least a month, and perhaps two months. Professor Brown moved as an amendment —" That a committee, consisting of the Chancellor, Professor Sale, Dr. Hector, and the mover, be appointed to consider the most convenient time for degrees and honors examinations this ypar, and the safest and readiest way of collecting candidates' answers, sending them to England, and getting answers back in time for the meeting of the Senate in 1880." The original resolution was withdrawn. Professor Brown's amendment was then put as a substantive motion and carried. Professor Shand moved —" That a committee, consisting of Rev. D. Bruce, Rev. J. C. Andrew, Rev. W. J. Habens, Professor Brown, Professor Sale, and the mover, be appointed to draw up a schedule or programme of the examinations for Senior Scholarships." Professor Brown seconded tho motion, which was carried. Professor Brown moved —" That the name of the Hon. H. J. Miller be added to those of the finance committee."

Dr. Hector seconded the motion, and suggested the addition of the following words : " That the question of the number of Junior Scholarships to be offered at the next examination bo referred to tho committee."

The motion was carried, with the addition of the words suggested by Dr. Hector. The following resolutions, moved by the Rov. Mr Bruce, were unanimously carried : "1. That members of the Senate be reimbursed their actual travelling fares ; also £1 per diem during their attendance at Senate, and 103 por diem for other days dnring which they may require to be absent from home. 2. That tho Chancellor be empowered to make arrangements for the payment of expenses connected with the meetingroom of the Senate. 3. That the Chancellor be directed to affix the seal of the University to the statutes and regulations whict may have been passed during the session. 4. That the Chancellor report to tho Governor at the close of tho session the names of those Fellows of the University who by section XIV. of the University Act, 1874, may have ceased to be Fellows of the University. 5. That a select committee, consisting of the Chancellor, Dr. Hector, and Mr Giaborne, be appointed to prepare the annu&l report of the Senate to the Governor." Hon. Mr Gisborne moved—" That the Bowen prize for the year 1879 be awarded to John Innes of the Canterbury College, who has been reported by the examiners to be the successful candidate."

The motion waß agreed to. The Senate then went into committee to discuss the report of the committee appointed to bring up a report upon the report of the Royal Commission on higher education. On tho motion of the Hon. Mr Miller the committee reported progress, without asking leave to sit again. The Senate having resumed, severul notices of motion wero given'. The Senate then (at 12 30) adjourned till ten o'clock on Friday (this) morning.