The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1903 THE RHODES' SCHOLARSHIPS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2751, 20 February 1903, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1903 THE RHODES' SCHOLARSHIPS.

We read that Mr Drury, an Oxonian, who is spending a few days in Christchurch, when interviewed by the press, had much to say about Dr Parkin, of Toronto. It will be remembered that Cecil Rhodes appointed the latter gentleman to put into working the scholarships which he bequeathed in his will to the various colonies.

Dr Parkin was born and educated in Canada, going to Oxford to comple'.e his education. There must have been something particularly attractive and biillifuit about this young Canadian, for he drew much attention on himself from his entrance into Cxford. Lord Milner manifested a friendship for him which is as strong at the the present day, and to this friendship Dr Parkin's interest in all Imperial matters is mainly due. Lord Rosebery is another warm friend of Dr Parkins, and Cecil Rhodes must have set a high value on the man whom he chose to carry out his favourite scheme.

At Oxford Dr Parkihs was made Secretary of the famous Union, the largest debating society in the University, of which Mr Gladstone, Lord Salisbury, Mr Asquith, and Lord Milner have been prominent members. Later, he became irincipal of the largest boys' school in Canada. Now that this work of selecting the best method of awarding these scholarships has devolved on him, he is travelling to the various colonies to make necessary arrangements.

His first step was to arrange for admission of the students at Oxford. This done, he travelled to the United States, where he is at present deciding in what manner the candidates are to be selected. He will come to Australia and New Zeaalnd at the end of the present year.

These scholarships have been awarded in such a manner that it will be difficult to arrange any examination for them. The ordinary scholarship is awarded to the best scholar, in the sense of the one with the greatest book knowledge. Mr Rhodes, however, insists that conduct and physical strength should count for a good deal. To gain

•v "Rhodes' 'athletic ability and good behaviour are quite essential. The mere book-worm, who knows nothing of cricket or football will not be considered suitable, and even a scholarly athlete will fail unless his conduct is such as would satisfy the most scrupulous. The young man who is found to exee'l in all three points—scholarship, conduct or sport—has the benefit of a career at Oxford, money being provided for every possible contingency. New Zealand will futnish one or two candidates, so that a brilliant all-round New Zealander has a chance of going to Oxford and of holding his own with the richest studejits there. The benefits this will confer on the young colonial are very p onmncecl. He will have the advantage of a voyage from New Zealand to E;iphnd with all the education that enLils. Having reached Oxford, lie will be thrown into the compuiy of the future leading men of the Empire, and tin's assocsation alone is an inestimable opportunity.

Again, the mere f;ict that two additional New Zealanders are publicly sent to Oxford serves to bind the Colony closer to the Motherland. The young coloninl, too, will be able to join in all that is going on and feel he is a British subject indeed. There is not much use in speaking of the strong interests binding the Mother Country to her colonies, when Englishmen and New Zealanders meet so little. In the late war we did become well acquainted with one another and found that r /e could havo interests uniting each other closely. Now that the Avar is over, and that boii'l of union broken, it is pleasant to think that some of our sons will still be brought into close union with England ; in fact, with all Englishspeaking countries.

America has been bequeathed scholarships by Mr Rhodes and will send a number of her University men to Oxford. This gigantic scheme is worthy of the brain of Cecil Rhodes, the man who stood at the head of the Imperialist party in South Africa. From every English-speaking country students will come to meet on the common ground of Oxford, there to measure minds and bodies together. Mr Rhodes wished to provide an opportunity for the coming public men of the colonies and to give every chance to young colonials who are remarkable for their broad interests. Stiil more he wished to encourage that breadth of mind which is capable of undertaking all mental and bodily exercise. Mr Cecil Rhodes evidently admired a combination of the scholar and athlete, and now that New Zealand has an opportunity of sending some or her sons to enjoy a career at the greatest University of the world, we should be glad to think that every colonial candidate must, by the terms of the will, be able to distinguish himself in every direction—row in Inter-Varsity races and hold his own at the Union Debating Society.