F.—No. 1.

education; but to introduce those subjects into a competition for scholarships would be at least premature. The examinations ought to be conducted by Papers, and if possible by Cambridge or Oxford men. I should think it would be convenient to name a few months before the examination the subjects of examination ; and this course would agree with the custom of the English Universities. A Board of Examiners would be unnecessary, as it would be easy to select from year to year two or three persons of experience to conduct the examinations. 4.] The only Universities worthy of the consideration of the Colonial Government are those of Cambridge and Oxford. The Scotch and Irish Universities are in most respects what in England would be called schools. And even if the education to be obtained at the Scotch or Irish Universities were of the highest possible character, I should object to the Government scholars joining them, because I conceive the object of the Government ought to be to obliterate rather than intensify national peculiarities. Of course lam aware that at Edinburgh there is a most distinguished school of Medicine and of Metaphysics, and at Dublin of pure Mathematics; but I assume that the object of the proposed scholarships is not to train up professional men in technical knowledge, but to produce average cultivated English gentlemen, fit to apply themselves to Law, Physic, Trade, Politics, or any other special pursuit. 5.] I can only judge of the expense of a University from my experience at Cambridge. The course there now consists of three years of three terms each for an ordinary degree, three and a-half years for Mathematical honours, and three and three-quarters for Classical honours. A candidate for honours, either Classical or Mathematical, would require a private tutor or ' coach/ who would cost £10 per term and £.20 for the long vacation—that is £50 per annum. At most of the Colleges at Cambridge, men who have passed the College examinations well are allowed to stay up two and a-half months of the long vacation at Cambridge, and living there during the vacation is extremely cheap and very pleasant. But I think perhaps the Colonials would benefit more by joining a good reading party on the Continent than by confining himself to the University more than necessary. This would add" to the expense. According to what I recollect I think a young man to live well without profusion would require £350 per annum, including everything. Ido not express an opinion that Government should pay the whole of this sum, but I think that a man would require that amount to live in a moderately handsome manner, pay his expenses all the year round, and pay his College and University fees and his " Coach/ 6.] The competition should be unlimited in all respects, except the following:—Classics and Mathematics should bn the subjects of examination, and eighteen and a-half the limit of age, so that the men would be about nineteen on entering the University. This is about the average age. 7.] 1 think the idea of establishing a University in New Zealand is absurd. George Macfarlan.

John Studhomie, Esq., M.H.R. —I.] I greatly approve of the proposed plan of establishing exhibitions to enable the cleverest of our youths to obtain an education at the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge. They would not only receive an education much superior to anything the Australian Colonies could furnish, but by mixing amongst young men of the first social position in England would have their views enlarged and their minds freed from Colonial prejudices. 2.] Not by the General Government. I would leave to local authorities the foundation of such exhibitions. 3.] I would confine the examination to those subjects which are deemed necessary by the Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge in examining for scholarships. •A.] The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. I don't think the object in establishing these scholarships would be attained in sending the scholars to any other University. 5.] The annual value of such scholarships ought not to be less than £.250 per annum. As the scholars would not probably have a home to go to, £.250 would not cover their expenses ; but if of talent above the average, such as we might expect our Colonial scholars to be, they would be sure to obtain something towards their expenses from their College. G.] As to subjects of examination, sec ante. The competitors ought to bs not younger than seventeen or over nineteen years of age. 7.] I think it would be premature at present to establish a New Zealand University. *a* The word " exhibition" would be more proper than that of "scholarship," as the word " scholar" is only applied to those on the foundation of a College. Should any unsuccessful competitor be, in the opinion of the examiners, of high merit, and anxious to obtain a University education, it might be advisable to award an exhibition say of £50 value per annum. John Studholjie, Formerly of Queen's College, Oxford.

Henry John Tancred, Esq., M.H.R.—l.] It appears to mc very doubtful, taking everything into consideration, how far the establishment of these scholarships would upon the whole be of benefit to the Colony ; or rather whether any benefit they might be calculated to confer would not be counterbalanced by greater evils. There is, of course, this obvious consideration in favour of the plan —that it would be a means of stimulating to a greater or less extent the efforts of both teachers and pupils in schools capable of competing with any prospect of success. I think the advantage to the Colony would end here, and that the competition would practically be confined

27

ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.