The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1870.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 1 September 1870, Page 4

The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1870.

"Measures, not Men." In the course of a debate in the last session of the Provincial Council, a member expressed his conviction that the country was "education mad." Had the honourable member confined his reference to the Council, we should certainly be inclined to think that few assertions made during the session contained so much truth in so few words. That august body seldom brings any extraordinary amount of wisdom or intelligence to the consideration of any of the subjects discussed by it ; but on the subject of education it has invariably displayed such exceptional ignorance of the real requirements of the Province, combined with an inconsiderate and extravagant liberality difficult to account for save on the theory of monomania. Not a session passes in which some ambitious educationalfollyis not perpetrated — hailed at the time as inaugurating a new era, to be in the next session bewailed with unavailing regret. But ere this stage is reached, the folly has taken root ; a number of persons are interested in its continuance, and the cry of vested rights is raised at any attempt to do away with what is admitted by all to be

useless or premature. But experience is disregarded, a new hobby is started, ridden- by honourable members, and in due course laid aside like its predecessor, Avith contempt as deep and well merited. And so, session after session, in spite of warning reason and experience, with strange consistency, the play goes on, and will go on while the Provincial Council legislate or have funds to dispose of. Gout has been called the disease of statesmen. We are not aware that any of our Otago politicians are tormented with it, but we would direct the attention of pathologists to the mania from which oui 1 politicians lira suffering 1 , and as its symptoms scarcely identify it with any known disease, we take the liberty of calling it education on the brain. Some of our readers may accuse us of being guilty of an intentional " bull," as so few of our representatives have given any indications of posseaing that organ. We are led into these remarks by a report foi' warded to us of the steps taken for the establishment and government of the Otago University. This institution may now be regarded as a fait accompli, possessing a council, the most magnificent building in the colony, the new post office, and a munificent endowment of 100,Q0Q acres of land. This estate already yields a yearly rental of £133(), which, in a few months, on the issue of a new lease, will be increased to. £2,000. The Council h:is, in addition voted an annual sum of £300 towards a chair of natural science, while the Synod of Otago and Southland fyave set apart iJSSO n year for the support of a professor of moral and mental philosophy, so that already a revenue of nearly £3000, exclusive of class fees (which are to be throe guineas each term for each student ) is secured to the infant university. Still further, the professors who are about to be appointed are to be authorised to expend £400 in books and scientific apparatus to form the nucleus of a college library. The government of the university is vested in a council of twelve, choseu in the iirst instance by the Superintendent and Executive, by whom vacancies will be filled until the number of graduates of the university amount to thirty. The graduates will then constitute a senate from which and by which the council will be recruited, and by which questions affecting the government of the institution will be decided. The holding office and obtaining degrees will depend on no religious qualifications — a step in advance of most colleges in Europe. Altogether, the regulations reflect the highest credit on the council, and on the state of public opinion, which it reflects, while the liberality of the endowments as compared with our population and resources must cause astonishment where the educational proclivities of our politicians are not understood. Four chairs are established, and as the session commences in May, it is probable that the whole staff may be engaged and in full working order by that time. The report remarks that the success of the university " will mainly depend on the qualifications and zeal of the different professors," and anticipates that " their zeal, ability, and success, will draw students from all parts of New Zealand and the other Australian colonies." In order to secure the right men, the council has forwarded a statement of the " qualifications of the gentlemen most likely to prove suitable for the professorships." A paragraph of this statement is given in the report from which we beg to lay before our readers a few extracts in case any of them may find themselves qualified for some of the chairs. "It is of the utmost importance " says the extract, "that the professors be earnest men ; catholic in spirit ; , inspired with a large measure of enthusiasm ; of irreproachable moral character; of generous instincts; amiable and attractive disposition ; possessed of original minds ; large views ; great practical sagacity ; very high scholastic attainments ; aptness to teach. It is necessary that they be gentlemen in appearance, in manner and in feeling ; of proved industry and energy. And in addition they must be comparatively young men who have been highly successful in similar though perhaps humbler spheres." For further particulars we refer intending candidates to the report itself, premising that if the professors be possessed of half the excellencies enumerated they will amply repaj 7 their cost to the country even though they should have no students to teach. As models of correct deportment and moral rectitude, they would be cheap at twice the money. There are two points on which we fear the council will meet with

disappointment. The first is, we doubt that men of the character and mental calibre they expect will not apply for the chairs ; and second, that the number of students who will attend for years to come will be very limited, so small indeed that it would prove more economical for the Government to defray the expense of their passage to Oxford or Cambridge, and the cost of their education there, than to educate them at the Otago university. On both points we shall be delighted to find ourselves mistaken. We feel assured, that however little influence the institution may have in our day, it will prove the blessing and glory of Otago centuries after, when we have mouldered into dust.