E.—7a

82

Along with these should go the provision of fields for all the various games and athletic activities that play such an important role in British university training. This leads to the consideration of the whole question of sites for college and university purposes, of what is called in America the " University Campus." During our visit to the different college centres we took the opportunity of inspecting the college buildings and their environment, and we have been much impressed with the lack of foresight shown in providing sufficient areas of land for future development or even for legitimate present requirements. As we have stated elsewhere, we are of opinion that four separate universities are inevitable in the future. Provision for this eventuality should therefore be made at once, and suitable areas of land reserved for university development. We were very pleased to find that Mr. H. D. Acland, Chairman of the Council of Canterbury College, had inaugurated a far-sighted policy of this kind, and that already a beginning had been made towards its realization by the inclusion within the University College grounds of the buildings and grounds of the Christchurch Boys' High School. The High School is in process of removal to a new building set in ample playing-fields of its own. " All the University colleges," in Mr. Acland's words, " are suffering from a lamentable lack of vision on the part of the founders in that they did not secure sufficient areas of land when establishing the College and when land was cheap." We learn with satisfaction that Auckland University College is likely to acquire 45 acres of land at Orakei, and that 8 acres for playing-fields have also been secured by the Otago Council. University buildings should be dignified structures of real architectural merit, and should be appropriately grouped in beautiful surroundings. The most effective setting for them will be the large open spaces required for the various student activities to which we have already referred. Of all the formative influences that mould an impressionable student during his university life a fine inspiring environment is by no means the least powerful. THE EXEMPTED STUDENT. The exempted student presents a special and difficult problem of university administration. The establishment of the University of New Zealand as an examining body, neither teaching, nor supervising, nor maintaining discipline, nor exercising authority over students, was favourable to the development of a strong section of exempted students. Moreover, the strong feeling which exists throughout the Dominion in favour of giving to all earnest and studious men and women the right to share in university education is a very real factor in the matter. But it is arguable whether such students, under present conditions, do in fact receive a university education, or any training other than can be obtained by a faithful study of text-books. True university education consists, as we have said, in co-operation in study and investigation between students and able teachers. This involves much more than attendance at lectures, and includes discussions with teachers and with fellow-students, related reading in a well-equipped library, the writing of exercises for the criticism of teachers, and so forth. It is evident that the exempted student working by himself often, in a country district, can have none of these advantages. But that he can receive from the training to which he submits himself very real and substantial benefit no one can doubt. Our point is that whatever this benefit is, it is not what a true university training ought to give. The degree of a university should be a certificate of university education up to a definite standard, involving a definite period of study. The system of granting one and the same degree to students who have attended university classes for a number of years, and to those who have not attended at all, has been the subject of much controversy. As a way out, it has been suggested that a special degree should be given to those candidates who pass the necessary examinations, but who have not shared in the life and teaching of the University.

" University Campus."

The problem of exemption from lectures is a vexed one.

Under present conditions exempted students do not get a University education.

A different degree for exempted students.