EDUCATIONAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 214, 11 September 1886, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL.

Presentation of University

Diplomas.

At the invitation of Biabop Cowie (acting for the Chancollor of tho Now Zealand Univsraity), an aeeemblogo of persona interested in tho causo of higher oducation, or officially identified with it, took place in tho Choral Hall on Monday afternoon, August 23, for tbo purpose of lending tclal to tlio presentation of diplomas to the successful students of this city in the lost examination. Tho local University professors and membors of tho Univorslty College Council, occupied Boats upon tho platform, while the Grammar School Board, the Education Board, and tho learned professions woro also represented thereon. A goodly proportion of undergraduates and graduates wore present in acadomical eastumo. The intondod recipients of tho diplomas were likewise in attendance, viz., J. Gifford (who receives tho diploma of M.A.), C. Z Clayton (who recoivoß tho LL.B. diploma), and J. L. James and Korr (who recelvo B.A. diplomas). Bishop Cowio prosided, and, in opening; tho proceedings said: It is now nine years sinco a diploma was first presented to an Auckland student in this place, on behalf the University of New Zoaland. In those days wo had no local college of which tho special purpose was to prepare our citizons? for the University examinations. Our Auckland undergraduates were then necessarily fow ; but at tho present time thoro are tho names of 71 Auckland undergraduates in the University calendar for this year. This progress is the result mainly of the ellicioncy of our Auckland University College, which lias now been in oxistence more than three years. The University of New Zealand is an examining body only. Its function ia not to teach, but, inasmuch as it prescribes tho conditions on which degrees shall be obtained, it virtually directs tho higher education of tho colony. The University would belie its name if it did not frame- its regulations, a.s far as possible, to suit the circumstances of all sections of the community. In the anotont universities of England, in which the endowments camo chiefly from royal or private benefactors," tlio educational necessities of tho people at large wcro for many years lamentably disregarded ; but in Now Zealand, where the University endowment of £3,000 a year is paid from tho Colonial Treasury, every care is taken by the Sonate, theExocutivo Council of the University, to place what it has to givo within tlio reach of all who desire to benofit by it. Accordingly, whilst attendance at the lectures of one of tho affiliated colleges is required of undergraduates in goneral, such attendance in oxcused in the case of those undorgraduatos who reside at a distance of moro than ten miliw from a college, or who aro engaged in acquiring a profession or trade, or in earning n livelihood. In the spirit of thoeo exemptions other chauges havo recently beon mndo in tho regulations of tho Senate. Formerly, afl who would enter on a University course wero obliged first to pass an examination in tho Latin language ; but now French or German may bo substituted for Latin tit matriculation, by those who in--1 tend to study for the degree of Bachelor of Science. Tho Greek language is not a compal«ory subject for matriculation, or for a dcTee in either Arts or Science. It will be° a great misfortune, however, if this provision should result in a universal igworanco of tho Greek language among graduates of theUnivorsity of New Zealand. Defences in law, medicine, and music, aro now granted by tho University of New Zealand, as- well as in tho|arts and sciences; and it has beon proposed that degrees should aJso bo granted for the science and art of teaching. As time gooa on it is to bo hopod that the number of our undergraduates will be much larger/ in proportion to the population than it is at present, thou"h 250 persons wero examined in December last, so ißjst tho day may come when some of oror New Zealand professors will have Shear /5,000 scholars, as Abclard had 709 years ago at St. Gonovievo. Learniag is to bo encouraged for its own sake; but it has also a very definite commercial value in tho world. A B.A. Degree, though not necessarily a guarantee of great learning, is a recognised tokon, in thoao who havo obtained it, that they possess in somo manner a capacity for study, andadofinite measure of knowledge. Tho value ot this degree is acknowledtred by the Educational Department of tho colony ; and young mon who have passed only tlio first section of tho B.A. examination are now eligible for nomination to cadetships at the Koyal Military College at Sandhurst. A definite standard at which to aim is so valuable as an incentive t» systematic study that wo hope to see a good increase in the number of our undergraduates, Dven though many of them may not intend to present themselves for o iegree' examination ; and I would remind those who are deterred from entering on a University course by fear of the attendant axpenses, that there aro University Scholarships of the value of £45 a year, to bo competed for by students before matriculation, and other valuable Scholarships at our own University College, munificently endowed by our fellow citizen, Mr Justice Gillies. The Rev. D. W. Runoiman, M.A., and Mr H. G. Seth Smith, M.A.j were also to deliver addresses.

At the Choral Hall on August 25. Bishop Cowie presented their diplomas to Messrs Arthur Gifford. M.A., C. Z. Clayton, LUB., H. L. James, 8.A., and Walter Kerr, B.A.

Rev. Mr Gulliver has been appointed examine r to Auckland College ar.d Grammar School.

At Ghristchurch on 24th inst. diplomas worepresented by Hon. Mr Rolleston to tho graduates of Canterbury University College, who included six in the M.A. degree and seven in 8.A., tour of the latter being " sweet girl graduates." AfcJDunedin diplomas were presented by tho Premier to one student who had taken tho M.A. degree, and to six who had gained the B.A, —one of the latter being a lady.