THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2007, 30 July 1880, Page 3

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND.

The presentation of diplomas to graduates of the Now Zealand University this year took place in tho Provincial Chambers yesterday at noon, there being a large number of interested spectators, chiefly of the fair sex. Tho chancellor, H. J. Tanored, Esq., occupied the chair, and with him, on the platform, were the Most llov. tho Primate, His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, members of the University Senate (among whom was observed the Rev. Mr Bruce, of Auckland), and the professors of the University. The graduates upon whom tho honors were to be conferred occupied seats in front of the platform. The Chancellor, by way of introducing the proceedings, said —Ladies and gentlemen, wo have met hero to confer the degrees that were gained at the last examinations, and we will begin the ceremony which we have assembled to perform, by reading the names of those who have a status in the University, that is, those who have gained degrees, and those who have secured senior and junior scholarships. His Honor Judge Johnston has kindly consented to take part in the proceedings, and I consider that he has done us great honor thereby. [Applause.] The Registrar, Mr W. M. Maskell, then read a statement showing the results of the Academic year, 1879. It was as follows : Results of the Academic Tear. 1879.

The following obtained the degree of LL.B. — Frederick Fitchett, 8.A., Canterbury College ; Robert Henry Rattray, 8.A., Auckland College. The following obtained tho degree of M.A.— Frederick Fitchett. 8.A., Canterbury College ; James Hay, 8.A., Canterbury College. The following obtained first class honors— Frederick Fitchett, 8.A., Canterbury College, in Political Science ; James Hay, 8.A.., Canterbury College, in Languages and Literature, and also in Political Science.

The following obtained Jthe degree of B.A. — Anne Bolton, Canterbury College; Andrew Cameron, Univeraity'of Otago ; Helen Oonnon, Canterbury College; William Henry Herbert, Canterbury College; James Ronaldson Thornton, Canterbury College; Herbert William Williams, Canterbury College.

The following obtained Senior Scholarships— Charles Chilton, Canterbury College; Benjamin Michael Connal, Canterbury College; John King Davis, St. John’s College, Auckland; William Bookless Douglas, Canterbury College; Margaret Lilian Florence Edger, Auckland College; William Fidler, Canterbury College; Gertrude Grierson, uauterhury College; William Henry Herbert, Canterbury College; John Innes, Canterbury College; William Deans Milne, University of Otago ; Alexander Mont-. gomery, University of Otago. The following obtained the Medical Scholarship—George Montgomery, B A., University of Otago. The following passed the first section of the B.A. examination :—Charles Chilton, Canterbury College; Joseph Gloss, University of Otago ; Benjamin Michael Connal, Canterbury College ; John King Davis, St. John’s College, Auckland; William Bookless Douglas, Canterbury College; Margaret Lilian Florence Edger, Auckland College; William Fidler, Canterbury College ; Thomas Scholfield Foster, Canterbury College; Gertrude Grierson, Canterbury College ; John Innes, Canterbury College ; Harry Borrer Kirk, Wellington College ; Basil Keith Senior Lawrence, Canterbury College ; Charles Edward M'Cormick, Auckland College; Edgar James M’Farland, Auckland College; William Deans Milne, University of Otago; Alexander Montgomery, University of Otago; Alexander Purdie, University of Otago; Edward Eobertshaw, Wesley College, Auckland; John George Lawrence Scott, under “Teachers”’ Regulation; Donald Muir Stuart. University of Otago; Alexander Bruce Todd, University of Otago ; William Tomlinson, under “Teachers'” Regulation; William Waite, under “ Teachers’ ” Regulation ; Edwin Watkins, under “ Teachers' ” Regulation ; James Costin Webb, Wellington College; Joseph Harris Wilson, Auckland College; Charles Frederick Wykesmith, under “Teachers’” Regulation. The following obtained Junior Scholarships : Louis Cohen, Canterbury; Henry Cross, Canterbury ; William Hughes Field, Wellington ; Janette Grace Grossman, Canterbury; Joseph Penfonnd Grossman, Canterbury ; Henry Bache Harvey, Wellington; Robert Francis Irvine, Canterbury ; Peter Alexander Lindsay, Otago; Henry Thomas Pnrchas, Canterbury; Henry Brereton Marriott Watson, Canterbury. The following were admitted as Undergraduates. ad eundum statum ;—Patrick Ligortwood, Otago ; Lockhart Dobbie Easton, Canterbury; Basil Keith Senior Lawrence, Canterbury ; Walter Endey, Otago; James Kerr Menziea, Otago ; William Alfred Rowe, Otaro. The Chancellor intimated that he would now proceed with the presentation of diplomas. The graduates were then called up in their order, Professor Brown introducing them. Professor Brown said—As chairman of the Professorial Council of Canterbury College, I have to present to you for the degree of Master of Arts—Mr James Hay, 8.A., and Mr Frederick Fitohett, B.A. Mr Hay obtained a junior scholarship in 1876 at his entering on his University course; in 1878 he passed the first examination in Latin and mathematics for his bachelor’s degree, and was awarded a senior scholarship in Latin ; at the end of the same session be obtained the exhibition for Latin in the Canterbury College annual examination; in 1879 he passed his final examination in Greek, English, and physical science, and had the degree of B.A. conferred on him; at that examination ho obtained a third year scholarship in Greek ; in the recent University examination he was entitled to the M.A. degree, by obtaining first class honors in Latin and English, and also first class honors in Political Science, including General History, Political Economy, Jurisprudence, and Constitutional History. Ho is the first, I believe, to obtain a double first-class in the University of New Zealand. Mr Pitchett, in 1878, passed the first examination in Latin and Mathematics for his Bachelor’s degree, and was awarded a senior scholarship in Latin. In 1879 he passed his final examination in Greek, English, and Jurisprudence, and had the degree of B.A. conferred on him. At the examination he also obtained a third year’s scholarship in Greek. He had already, in 1876, obtained the Bowen prize for the best essay on “ The Nature of the Government in England during the Saxon Period,” open to all undergraduates of the New Zealand University. In the recent examinations ho obtained first-class honors in Political Science, and thus is entitled to the M.A. degree. I have also to present Mr Fitohett for the degree of Bachelor of Laws, he having passed this year in Homan Law, English Law on Personal Bights, Bights of Property, Bights in Private Eolations, Public Bights and Wrongs, Civil and Criminal, and in International Law ; his Bachelor of Arts degree entitling him to take all these subjects in one year. He is, I believe, the first in the Now Zealand University to have this degree conferred on him. Mr Fitohett then ascended the platform. His Honor, in presenting the diploma, said he had great satisfaction in being a humble instrument in presenting this diploma, which had been so very well earned, and could only express the hope that the progress already made would be followed by such good work as would prove of permanent advantage to the colony in which the gentleman had been educated. [Applause.] Mr James Hay was then presented. His Honor said the manner in which Mr Hay had gone through his academical career was a fair reason for assuming that his industry and desire for knowledge would make him a most useful and important member of society, and the fact of his having gained the distinction of a double first was a matter upon which ho might be cordially congratulated. Mr Fitchett then came up for his diploma of Bachelor of Laws.

His Honor, in presenting the certificate, expressed the hope that it might be taken as

' an indication that he (Mr Fitehett) contemplated devoting his energies and industry to that profession, and that branch of the public service to which he {Sis Honor) was proud to be attached—[applause] —and if it shbuld be so, it would give him great to see Mr Fitchett occupying a_ deserved position in connection with the administration of the Professor Brown—l have also to present to you, for the Bachelor of Arts degree, Miss Helen Oonnon, Mr Wm. Henry Herbert, Mr Herbert William Williams, and Mr James Ronaldson Thornton, and to ask you (in her absence) for the diploma of Miss Anno Jane Bolton. Miss Helen Oonnon, on ascending the platform, was greeted with loud applause. Professor Brown said —Miss Oonnon passed in 1879 her first examination in Latin and mathematics for her Bachelor’s degree. At the end of that session she obtained, in the Canterbury College annual examination, the exhibition given for English and French, And in the recent University examinations she passed in English, French, and Physical Science, her final examination for the B.A. degree. His Honor then presented this young lady with tho certificate of the degree conferred upon her, and said ho felt some embarrassment in performing this part of his duty, and felt his position in meeting so fair a candidate for the honors of our grave University. This portion of his Honor’s remarks elicited pronounced symptoms of merriment from his audience. Ho spoke in high terms of the veal and intelligence of which the young lady’s title to this honor gave evidence, and added that there could be no higher attainments, even for the fair sex, than those which arose from a cultivation of the mind. They were’not merely useful but adorning studies; and ho had no doubt the example set by Miss Oonnon would open the eyes of others, and cause it to bo felt by mothers on behalf of their daughters, that cultivation of the mind in tho highest branches of knowledge was among the most important duties they had to consider. Ho had great pleasure in presenting the certificate to tho second young lady in New Zealand who had gained such an honor. When tho Chancellor had placed the hood on Miss Oonnon, The Rev. Ohas. Fraser came forward and presented that lady with a fine bouquet of white camellias. Professor Brown then said on behalf of the absentee —Mias Bolton passed at the recent examinations in five subjects Latin, Greek, English, French, and Mathematics, and thus qualified for the Bachelor’s Degree. Those two ladies are, I believe, the second and third of their sex to receive a degree from a University in tho British Dominions having a charter from Her Majesty. The noxr. to come up for presentation was Mr Wm. Henry Herbert. Professor Brown —Mr Herbert gained a junior scholarship in 1875, and passed the first section of his degree examination in Latin and Mathematics in 1878, obtaining at the same time a senior.scholarship in Mathematics. In tho Canterbury College annual examination for 1878 he obtained the exhibition for mathematics and that for Chemistry and Physical Science. In the recent University examinations he passed in English, Chemistry, French, and Physical Science, and was recommended for a senior scholarship by the examiner in chemistry, and also by the examiners in physical science. His Honor, in a few well chosen words, complimented the recipient on his success. Mr J. R. Thornton having ascended tho platform, Professor Brown —Mr Thornton passed the first section of his degree examination in Latin and Mathematics in 1879, and in tho recent examinations he passed his final section in English, French, and Chemistry. His Honor had great pleasure in presenting Mr Thornton with his diploma, and had no doubt he would go on increasing in industry and knowledge. Mr Herbert W. Williams was the last on the list.

Professor Brown, in reference to this gentleman, said—Mr Williams obtained a junior scholarship in 1876, and in 1879 passed the first section of his examination for the Bachelor’s degree in Latin and Mathematics, obtaining a senior scholarship in Mathematics. In the Canterbury College examination, at the end of session 1879, he obtained an exhibition for Natural and Physical Science. In the recent University examinations he passed the final examination for his B.A. degree in Greek, Physical Science, and Natural Science. His Honor expressed the satisfaction it gave him to be the medium of conferring the certificates, and added words of encouragement as to the future.

This concluded the formal part of the proceedings. His Honor Mr Justice Johnston then rose, and nddroaaing the Chancellor and ladies and gentlemen present, said he felt that a great honor had been done him in being ashed to fill the position ho had that day occupied, and the occasion was one he should l9ng recollect, for it brought before him in a marked and emphatic manner the great work that had been performed in this colony within a short period of years in promoting a thorough understanding and appreciation of the duties of education in the higher branches of human knowledge. A system had thus been established for the extension of high-class education throughout the community, rendering it unnecessary that our children should go either to the mother country or Europe for the purpose of a full development of the ordinary education of a cultivated and civilised people. Ho proceeded to say that he held views on the groat question of education which were not commonly entertained. Whilst admitting the wisdom of providing a moans of imparting a sound elementary education, he would at all events give great facilities for cultivating literature, ancient and modern English, foreign languages, and the arts generally, as one of the most important results in the composition of a new society. He held that it was a matter of groat moment that in the early period of the history of a colony like this the development of higher education should be duly considered. It was, he thought, a matter of congratulation therefore that so soon after the establishment of an institution like this—the University of New Zealand—such results should have been obtained as they had the pleasure of being witness to. That the young men and maidens of this colony should bo able to send their answers home as the result of their studies in this institution, and thus, as it were, stand alongside of and compete with the immense population of that noble nation—that under these circumstances they should have earned such high distinctions as they had heard of that day, was a great fact in the history of so young a nation as ours. It was one of the most auspicious and satisfactory of which he was aware. His Honor then went on to point out the advantages of the higher order of education in fitting men to occupy positions of public trust and in the more elevated walks of life, remarking that such men required more than a limited education. And whatever might he claimed for labor and common sense as the mainsprings of civilisation, however true that might be—yet he thought the cultivation of the mind in the manner indicated was the highest of all civilising processes. It was, therefore, a matter for congratulation that the means of securing this was placed within the reach of all, thus enabling persons to attain to positions which they could not otherwise hope to fit themselves for. It was an important and substantial addition to the privileges of the people. In conclusion, His Honor stated that he had been indisposed of late, and, therefore, had not been able to prepare an address for the occasion, as he should have liked to have done. [Applause.] The Chancellor then addressed the assemblage at some length. He thanked his Honor for the address he had just given them, and the succinct way in which he had set forth the advantages of a liberal education. He would not himself enter into those general views which he [his Honor} had set before them, but ho thought it would be not undesirable if he should say a few words with regard to the examinations, the results of which they had just seen. It was always pleasing to bo able to offer congratulations upon successful effort, and it was still more pleasant to be the means of conferring marks of distinctions upon those who have performed, as in the present case, honest work. The degrees which had been that day conferred had been awarded to those whoso attainments had been tested by a perfectly impartial tribunal, consisting of a body of examiners who probably were the most experienced in taking examinations of any body in the British dominions. The students of this University had shown that they could take tank with the students of other Universities. They had stood the test which had been applied to them with exceeding great credit. The Canterbury College had this year been

particularly fortunate —more graduates having passed during this year from this College than from any other institutions in the colony put together. fApplause.] This was no doubt a matter of congratulation for the Canterbury College, but of course they must not expect the same result next year, at the same time he believed our College would always bo found to hold its own with the other institutions. But ho must say that it was a very great credit to the Canterbury College, and to the able and zealous professors and lecturers of it—fApplause3:—that they had been able to prepare and bring forward so many candidates, and it was gratifying to see the development and strengthening of the intellectual faculties as the result of literary culture, which was one of the best preparations for the great battle of life. Ho thought that, upon the whole the University of New Zealand had answered the objects for which it was established, as expressed in the Univeroity Act, “ for the promotion of sound learning.” Ho would not say that no mistakes had occurred, or that the organisation was perfect, but as stated, ho believed it had fulfilled its objects. He then proceeded to refer to the reports of the examiners, of which ho had made a careful scrutiny, with particular reference to that of the examiners in Classics, which was of a most elaborate character, entering into the proficiency of the different candidates in minute detail. And from this it appeared that some of the students who had passed very creditably indeed in the higher portions of the examination, had rather fallen short in the more rudimentary branches, and he desired to point out that any one to whom this might apply (and he did not think any such were present) could only recover any ground he had lost in this respect by his own study, as he could not expect the professors to spend their valuable time in a mere work of recapitulation. And here ho took the opportunity of expressing his conviction that no subject could be thoroughly mastered unless the elementary work was kept up. Ho knew this applied to learning languages, of which he was perhaps well qualified to speak. No one could possess a real knowledge of any language unless he thoroughly knew the rules of its grammar, and ho believed the same rule applied to other studies, and it appeared to him very essential that duo attention should bo paid to the groundwork of any study. In conclusion, the Chancellor said he hoped that in the course of a few years the University would be more of a self-governing body, as Convocation would then bo formed as soon as they had thirty graduates of two years’ standing. The government of the University would then bo in the hands of Convocation. The senate, instead of being elected by the Government of the colony (who were probably not the best judges as to who were moat fit for the position) would then be made up of members elected by Convocation and by the senate itself. On the list of those who were to come up next year, there were twenty-five members. Consequently, if they all passed, they would have two years after that forty five graduates, and then their Convocation would be established as soon as the required number were of two years’ standing. The Chancellor then resumed his seat amid applause. The Rev. Mr Bruce, in response to an invitation, then came forward and delivered a short address, in which he congratulated the Canterbury College on its success. Three cheers were then given for the Chancellor, for the Professors, for His Honor Judge Johnston, and three times three for the ladies. The proceedings then terminated.