THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4788, 27 July 1876, Page 5

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND.

TO THE EDITOK OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib, —I think you have done good to the higher education of the colony in calling attention to the preposterous requirements in Greek for the B.A. degree at the New Zealand University. It is difficult to speak with common patience of so ridiculous a demand, viz., eight books, four of them plays. Perhaps the absurdity of it will appear still more evident if it be compared with the requirements of the University of Cambridge for the same degree. It so happens that just before leaving England, now nearly four years ago, an undergraduate of Cambridge came to me during the long vacation, to read for his final examination for the B.A. degree. Greek was a compulsory subject, but the amount required was simply two books of Plato, short, and by no means difficult, viz., the “Apology of Socrates,” and the “Crito.” The twe together would not involve half the work' required to master thoroughly one Greek play. Now, _ if two short books are deemed sufficient by the University of Cambridge, whose students enjoy ample wealth, unlimited leisure, and all the assistance which a large body of the ablest tutors in the land can afford them; and almost all of whom have had, in addition, the advantage of years of classical training at the great public schools, what are we to tbink of this demand of the newly-formed University of a young and immature colony ? I know it will be sard that the standard of' Cambridge is too low, that it is unworthy of so old and so splendid a University, and the remark of Dr. Whewell will be quoted that “Passmen" have no business at the University; and doubless there is a great deal of truth in this remark as applied to Cambridge. But a standard which may be unworthy of it may be quite high enough for a University in a new colony, affording few opportunities for high culture. It Would be interesting to know the genesis of this extraordinary programme. I can only suppose that the Council sought the opinion of their examiner on the subject, and then adopted his suggestion without criticism or discussion, thus substituting the eccentricities of one individual for the deliberate judgment of the whole body. Perhaps they did not feel themselves strong enough in their Greek to discuss the matter, or perhaps they were afraid (many are) of being' twitted with want of scholarship if they ventured to think that the demand was an unreasonable one. I cannot but think that the present constitution of this learned body is a mistake, and the best proof that it is so is afforded by the blunder we are discussing. It is evident that tkesp-’ respectable gentlemen have no idea of what it is fair and reasonable to expect from young men, that in fact they are mere amateurs in education, and are simply playing at being a University. Perhaps the best plan would be to sweep them right away, and substitute in their stead a body composed of men practically _ engaged in carrying on the higher education of the colony; say, for instance, the principals of all the colleges affiliated to the University, who ought to bo members ex officio of the University Council. A few laymen might be added, to dilute the professional element, but not' to swamp it. The professors of the Otago University ought certainly to be members. Prom a Council so formed fair and reasonable requirements for a degree might be confidently expected. I am aware that an effort to modify the in this direction was made at 1 its last meeting

by the principal of one of tlw affiliated collegea, but tbe Council And voted itself quite competent to the work it had to do. How far it formqd a lowly and just estimate of itself, the public can now see. Surely the authorities of every University should remember that the object of a college education is to fit, a man to do efficiently the real work of life, not to exhaust him to such a degree during his earlier years as to render him an intellectual cripple for the rest of his days. —I am, &c., J. G. Wellington, July 26.