The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, MAY 78, 1871. " Measures.not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 171, 18 May 1871, Page 4

The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, MAY 78, 1871. " Measures. not Men."

It is notified in the Provincial " Gazette," of the 3rd instant, that the University of Otago will probably be opened about the first of July — delay having unavoidably occurred in the departure of the Professors from Britain. The number of Professors appointed is four, and the subjects which are taught are classics and English literature, by Professor Sale; mathematics and natural philosophy, by Professor Shand ; moral and mental philosophy, by Professor M'Gregor ; and chemistry and mineralogy, by Professor Black All these gentlemen have already distinguished themselves in their several branches of learning and science in the home country, and will give our newlyformed University an falat of which we may well be proud- In the arrangement of the subjects to be taught, the authorities have mainly followed the course which has been established in nearly all Universities, as essential in a liberal, and as distinguished from a merely professional education. Languages, mathematics, and philosophy, have been regarded in all the European Universities as the three most eflfecr tive instruments of training the mind, so that it may most advantageously devote itself to any special department to which* taste or duty may point. \i the same time there has been kept in view the special want of\fiuflji a_£ouutry as~-this, in providing for the teaching of natural science. In addition to the teaching of the general principles

of natural philosophy by Professor Shand, • Professor • • Black's labours,-w-hich will begin in May, 1872, will be devoted entirely to the teaching of chemistry and mineralogy. The importance of these subjects in a country like this, abounding in mineral wealth, cannot be overestimated. This is strongly felt both by the University Council and by the Professors themselves, as they recommend " that the natural sciences ought to be studied from the beginning of a student's course, and extend over a greater part of the curriculum than is customary in any of the Scottish universities." If these lectures are appreciated as they ought to be, we shall see many who have passed beyond the ordinary studentage, availing themselves of the opportunities thus afforded for acquiring a thorough scientific training, which they will turn to account in the developement of our mineral resources. We are convinced that this country, instead of being worked out, as many aver, is still in its infancy in regard to the knowledge which prevails among practical miners, of the likeliest indications of the localities of the precious metals, the mode of distinguishing them when they are met with, and the best appliances for extracting them from the bed in which nature has placed them. A scientific School of JVJ ines, is still a great desideratum among us, and we gladly welcome the prospect held out by the University, of affording the means of learning the fundamental principles of those sciences which it would be the business of such a school to turn to practical account. Everywhere around us, in our hills and gullies, our sea shore, and river beds, untold wealth, we believe, lies concealed, waiting for the magic wand of science to point its exact abode.

It is intended to institute a preliminary examination of an easy nature, which the regular students who intend to take degrees, will require to pass before beginning their course. This will not, however, be established this session. The " Gazette " publishes the subjects of examination for the degrees of 8.A., and M.A. — the former degree being attainable after three years' attendance, and the latter after four. These subjects have called forth a contemptuous sneer from Bishop Moran, but we would remind him and all others that the subjects stated as the minimum, will bear favourable comparison with the examination required for the same degrees in the much-famed universities of Oxford and Cambridge. We notice with great pleasure that U is intended to make the University available' for a wider circle than those preparing for degrees or the liberal professions. The " Gazette " notice states that for the sake of any residents in Dunedin who may wish to attend, each Professor should deliver, in addition to the lectures for the first year studeufcs, one course of lectures as under : — The Classical Professor :" English language and literature ; the Mathematical Professor : second year's course of mathematics and natural philosophy ; the Professor of Moral Philosophy : the physiology | of mind and elementary psychology. If these courses of lectures are delivered in the evening, when those engaged in business and public offices can go, we believe they will be largely attended, and give a more powerful and permanent stimulus to higher education than any other means that could be | adopted. There is only one regret we feel, that these advantages are unavoidable restricted to the residents of Dunedin. For the sake of our young men belonging to the up-country districts who may be desirous to receive a university training, but may be unable to find the necessary funds, we earnestly hope that encouragement and assistance will be held out to such by means of scholarships We observe in the same " Gazette," an intimation that scholarships are offered, tenable for three years, for students who are preparing for the ministry in. the Presbyterian Church, but why should we not find scholarships provided for others as well. In many districts of the country our athenaeums, town, councils, mutual improvement societies, and other public or private bodies might raise a sufficient amount to support a student for six months in the year during fehjcee sessions in Dunedin, and offer it by competition to the best soholar'among those who might apply. Such a prize would give a powerful stimulus to the education of the distriot, and were suoh scholarships to prevail over the .country, they_ .would .contribute greatly to the intelligence, refinement, and rqal greatness of the next generatipo,

A Committee was appointed bjr the General. Assembly during the /last session " to enquire what steps, if any, should be taken to "ascertain the producing and manufacturing interest of the colony." The Commietee, having to report before the session closed, did not think it advisable to go to the expense of bringing persons from a distance to give evidence; they contented themselves with taking the evidence of those in Wellington at the time, and by. sending queries to parties at a distance, who, from their position and occupation, might be supposed to be practically conversant with the industries already initiated. Notwithstanding these restrictions as to time and expense, the information collected is very comprehensive, and of much interest and value. The evidence of Dr. Hector in particular, on the natural resources, is copious and interesting, more especially that part of it which has reference to the indications of the immenseundeveloped mineral wealth of the country. We will endeavour, at a future time, to avail ourselves of the store of facts which it contains. Increase of population and improved means of communication, the report of the Committee states, are the primary requisites to the development of the industrial resources of the colony ; but to provide these requisites, it does not tail within the province of the Committee to consider. We think another requisite is the introduction of capital. The high rate of interest charged by the banks and the other agents of foreign capitalists, has, we think, considerably retarded enterprise of every kind in this and the neighbouring colonies. The Committee agree to make a number of recommendations to the Legislature, touching upon a great variety of industries already followed, and upon others which it is thought advisable, if possible, to establish. In reference to gold mining, they suggest that Government should give pecuniary grants for water supply, in districts where the supply is at present inadequate, and that the laws and regulations as regards mining be assimilated throughout the colony. They further recommend that rights for quartz mining should be defined, not by superficial area, as at present, but that claims should be granted of a definite length, on the line of reef, but indefinitely in breadth. This alteration is rendered necessary, by the fact that reefs in New Zealand, as a rule, are of a more horizontal character than in Victoria, from which the mode of of measuring the areas of mining claims have been adopted. The Commissioners further recommend that the existing uncertainty as to the right of owners of the soil to the precious metals existing below, should be settled by law. They refer to a decision of the law courts, which has deterred private land owners, as well as miners, from prosecuting explorations upon private property. These are the chief suggestions the Committee make in reference to gold mining. They are, as will be seen, of a thoroughly practical nature. The water supply part of their report has already received the sanction of the Legislature. The meeting of the Mining Delegates this week is intended to pave the way for the introduction of one uniform code of raining laws for the colony, and it is highly probable that the further changes recommended, will be effected during the coming session. The information and suggestions referring to the other mineral resources of the country are highly interesting. Few are aware of the numerous observations which have been recorded, not merely of traces of metalliferous ores, but positive indications ; that only capital and cheaper labour are necessary to work many metals with certain profit, at least equal to most mines wrought in other parts of the world. The Committee suggest that a suitable reward be offered to the first discoverer of a remunerative tin mine, and that the Government should advance money to make a railroad from the beach to the coal mines on the Grey and Buller Rivers. This is all that seems to be required to develops ! these coal mines, and the effect j would be, from its superior qualities and accessibility, to drive all imported coal out of this market. One witness stated that recent analysis has proved the Grey River Coal to be the best coal in the world, We have not space to follow the Committee in their suggestions for developing the other manufacturing and producing interests in the poj.ouy. They are highly interesting awl instructive, and thoroughly

practical. We will endeavour to -evert to them on some other occasion We may state, however, that of them, and these not the least valuable, have been anticipated by our Provincial Legislature.