EDUCATIONAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 93, 23 April 1891, Page 7

EDUCATIONAL.

The Whangarei High School is about to be re-opened under the management; of Mr R. D. Duxfield, M.A., Dublin University, also Now Zealand (ad cundcm). He is a gentleman who has had considerable experience in scholastic work.

The authorities of the Otago University have appointed Mr John Thompson, R.E., as lecturer on applied mechanics ab that institution. He was formerly in charge of the Gisborne and New Plymouth Harbour Works.

It wa3 decided at the meeting of the Board of Education on April 17 to accept the tender of Mr J. J. Holland, at £1,070, for the new school in Chapel-atreec, to take the place of the present Albert - streot Truaut School. Mr Grant moved that the matter be deferred till after the School Committee elections, but the motion was lost.

The ordinary meetingof the Board of Education vraa held on April 10th, when there were present: Messrs Udy (chairman!,Muir, Luke, Lennox, Grant, Motion, Cooper. Mr E. Udy was re-elected Chairman of the Board for the ensuing term, without opposition, The balances were : Education Fund, credit, £7,852 0a 9d ; building fund, credit, £1,545 6s 9d ; Girls' High School,debit,£72B9d. A statement of assets and liabilities on maintenance account to the 31st March was submitted by Mr V. E. Rice, secretary. It showed assets £13,633 8s 5d ; liabilities, £5,910 4a 9d ; credit balance, £7,723 3s Bd. A similar statement on building tund account to March 31st showed liabilities. £4,065 10s ; assets, £1,545 6s 9d ; excess of liabilities over assets, £2,520 11s 3d. The following were nominated for the vacant seat at the Board :—Mr Buckhurst, nominated by five school "com mittees ; Mr E. W. Burton, by sixteen committees ; Mr O. T. Hearne, by five committees ; Mr G. L. Peacocke, by one committee. Mr Peacocke has since returned owing to increased professional duties. DR. POSNETT. On the evening of Friday, April 3rd, there was a good attendance rtf graduates and undergraduates in the University College library to bid good-bye to Dr. Posnetb, whose engagement at the College as Professor of Classics and English is at an end. Daring the vacation, after it was known that Dr. Posnett was about to leave the colony, a committee of students was appointed to draw up an address for presentation to him before his departure* The address wae signed by nearly every student in Auckland, and a number of others will sign as soon as they return for the firsts term. A social farewell party at which to make the presentation was decided on. The library - room was very tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, the " Welcome " and " Good - bye " being especially good. A number of musical and other items were contributed by Misses Gorrie, Francis, Messrs Mulgan, Barber, Battley, and Posnett. The presentation of the address was mado by Mr G. Lippiatt, 8.A., in a few appropriate words expressing deep regret at the loss of one who had done co much for the students in the way of literary help and in encouraging a spirit of esprit dc corps. The address was as follows : —

"To Huccheson Macaulay Posnott, M.A., LL.D., late Professor of Classics and English ab the Auckland University College. Dear Sir,—lt is with the deepest regret that we. the undersigned students, past and present, of the Auckland University College, have received the news of your resignation of the professorship of Classics and Eoglieh which you have held in our College for the past five years, and we desire, before you leave us, to express our feelings with regard to your work amongst us during this period. It would have been impossible for any of us to have attended your lectures without appreciating the ripe scholarship and sound judgment displayed by you in the various subjects of which you have treated, and we regret that our College is about to lose one so capable of advancing the cause of higher education in this colony. Those who have graduated from your clas3es most gratefully acknowledge their obligations to your thorough and skilful teaching, while the under - graduates sincerely lament that they will not enjoy the privilege of completing their course under your tuition. Wα desire also to express our appreciation of the ready and kindly way in which you have given information and advice to all who have applied to you for help. To students especially engaged in business or in teaching, and who have thus been prevented from attending lectures, your kindness has been such as will not easily be forgotten.

We gratefully remember, too, the valuable assistance which you have given to those who have taken up any of the numerous subjects on which no lectures areas present delivered. It is not, however, for these reasons alone, but because we feel we are losing a good and true friend, that we so regret your departure. We wish you all prosperity in your future career in the full confidence that it will be worthy of your high attainments, and with every sentimonb of goodwill and regard, \ve beg to remain, Sear sir, yours most sincerely."

Dr. Poenett, in replying, expressed his regret ab parting with the students, and urged on them the necessity of fostering a co-operative spirit by tho formation of college boating, football, cricket and other clubs, and by co-operation in their studies. He suggested in regard to study that they should make a dead language the preparation for the study of one or two modern ones, German for choice. The University students might also make their influence felt on the politics of the country, and in the future might look to having a representative of their own in Parliament, as some of the Home Universities have.