COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 174, 23 July 1879, Page 2

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

The following i3 an extract from tbe interim report of the Royal Commission on the University of New Zealand and Higher Education, presented to Parliament , Julyj 15, 1879. Under the heading "Obstacles to Inquiry," the Commissioners say:—" We feel it to be our duty to report that in the case of the Nelson College, one of the institutions affiliated to the University, admittance was refused to the Committee deputed by us to make an inspection, and that in the case of Christ's College Grammar School, also affiliated to tbe Uuiversity, our Committee was admitted, but the ordinary school business was not allowed to proceed in their presence. We have had therefore no opportunity of observing the working of these institutions The authorities at Christ's College object to any inspection, except such as is involved in an examination of the school. Tbe objection raised at Nelson was based upon the fact that the endowments of the College originated in a contract between the New Zealand Company and the settlers. On a similar ground the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church Trust of Otago have hitherto declined to afford us information, except verbally, and under protest, as to that portion of their incomes, ; which, under Act of Assembly passed in 1866, is devoted to;the " erection or eudowoient of a literary chair or chairs in any College or University which shall be erected or shall exist in the Province of Otago." We do not undertake fo say that the position assumed by the authorities of Nelson College and the Otago Presbyterian Church Trust is not legally defensible, but we are of opinion that it it be so, there is urgent need of legislation to render them amenable to public investigation. In our flual report we purpose to treat of the whole question of examination and iuspection of secondary schools.