37

H.—l

Gilchrist scholarship, lias recently been opened to candidates who have graduated in arts in the New Zealand University. This scholarship also is of the annual value of £100, tenable for three years. It is open in alternate years to candidates from the Sydney University and the University of New Zealand. The holder of the scholarship is required to pursue his studies either at the University of Edinburgh, or at University College, London, with the view of graduating in one of the four faculties of the University of London. This scholarship seems likely to be of especial value in assisting students in law or medicine who desire to pursue their studies in Great Britain. In connection with the Canterbury Agricultural School the Board of Governors has instituted six scholarships, of the estimated value of £65 a year each. Only one scholarship has yet been awarded, a result probably due to the high standard of the examination, which, however, has now been reduced. The number and value of these agricultural scholarships appear at present to be sufficient; but, having in view the improbability of the establishment of any other agricultural school within the colony, as well as the existence of adequate funds, we would suggest that, in order to make the school more accessible to persons resident in remote parts of the colony, travelling expenses to and from the institution once a year be paid to all students who pass the entrance examination. In the School of Mines which has been established in connection with the University of Otago, no provision in the way of scholarships has yet been made. We recommend, for the further encouragement of technical studies in general, that the scholarships of the Education Boards be made tenable after the age of sixteen, not only at secondary schools, but at schools of mines, engineering, and agriculture, as well as at other technical schools of a similar character which may hereafter be established. It should, however, be made a condition of tenure of such scholarships that the holders devote the whole of their time to study, and that no student be entitled to hold a Board scholarship concurrently with any other. The University of New Zealand, when means allow, might also institute scholarships tenable at such schools.

Agricultural schXLwps

ReeommendaaX>iarahips for School of Mltie3> &e>

VI.—ENDOWMENTS. For particulars as to the value and application of endowments for educational purposes comprised within the scope of our Commission, we refer to the appendix to our interim report (pp. 3-15), which, however, requires correction as follows : In page 7, the value and present rental of reserves in the hands of School Commissioners for secondary education in Nelson should read £2,689 and £172 2s. lid. respectively ; and on page 15, the present rental of runs in Otago should he £2,755 14s, Id. We refer also to an important return made to Parliament last session. With one exception—the Southland reserve, of 10,000 acres, which produces an annual rental of £343 155., and is vested in the Council of the Otago University by " The University Act, 1874 " —the reserves which have been made under " The University Endowment Act, 1868," have not as yet been applied to any use. In the draft Bill we have embodied our views as to their application as follows : — Thirty acres of town land in Westland, not let, of the estimated capital value of £270, and 10,000 acres of pastoral and bush land in Taranaki, not let, and of the estimated capital value of £7,500, to be devoted to the promotion of higher education in the districts in which they are respectively situated ; 1,500 acres, not let, of the estimated capital value of £7,500, at Ashburton, to be vested in the Board of Governors of Canterbury College; 30,354 acres in the Provincial District of Auckland, not let, of the estimated capital value of £10,265, and 4,000 acres, not yet formally reserved, but mentioned in Schedule B to " The University Reserves Act, 1875," as to be reserved in Wellington Provincial District, to be devoted to the purposes of the proposed University colleges in Auckland and Wellington respectively. The University Act of 1874 provides that these reserves shall be administered under " The University Endowment Act, 1868," and that the proceeds " shall be dealt with for promoting higher education in the respective

Appx. to Journals H. of E,, Sess. 11., 1879, C.-3. University Reserves. Appx. to Journals H. of E., Sess. 11., 1879, C.-3, p. 13.