AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 247, 18 October 1893, Page 2

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l have carefully perused tbo letters published in your Monday's isjuo re Auckland University College, and cannot agree with your decision in tlio matter. I considor that Mr Adorns has been perfectly consistent throughout, in drawing attention to tho different systems adopted in tho Auckland and other University Colleges, viz,, tho lecturo system in Auckland and the school system in other places. Naturally, where thoschool system obtains, the Professors havo less home work to do. Apparently, tho Committee of the Auckland University College, in their oliorts to mako out a cast! against Professor Aldia, havo burked that distinction, and, in order to draw an invidious comparison between Auckland and Canterbury, have beon compelled to drop the word " lectures," and substitute "meetings of the classes." Hoping you will kindly insert this view of the question.—l am, etc., Sicut Ante. [So far as wo can ascertain, tho system of teaching adopted in Canterbury and other Southern Colleges is practically the same as in the Auckland College, viz., by lecture, with correction of students' work and explanationa. Mr Adams in his 1890 letters distinctly referred to the lectures in tho Auckland College as "instruction." Prior to 1890, the time table had been exclusively under the direction of the Professorial Board, and ib is absurd for Mr Adams to cay now that when he wrote to the Council in 1890 suggesting an alteration of the timo-tablo, and asserting that " a large numbor of the eighteen failures could havo graduated if thoy had received tho necessary assistance ; imd their prospects in lifo are now marred through their failure," his letter contained no reflection upon the professors. It is not alleged by anyone that Mr Adams made, or intended to make, any spocial reference to the Professor of Mathematics. Except in his allusion to the lecturOß on Latin and English, hie compluints wero a genoral indictment agninßt the instruction given in the College. Wo aro not considering now whether these strictures were just or nob, we are simply pointing outi the construction which "his

letters bear. If our correspondent will reperuse Mr Adams's letters, with an unbiassed mind, he musb, we think, come to the conclusion that tho. writer had failed to koep copies of his earlier complaints and had forgotten their purport when he penned nis latesb communication, which was, no doubt, prompted by whab Dr. Mackollar aptly termod a "chivalrous" desiro to "pour oil ou tho troubled waters. "— Ed.E.S.]

(To tho Editor.) Sir,—Would it tend to settle tho differences'between Professor Aldis and the governing body of tho University College if it were known thab the professorship of mathematics ab the Durham College of Science, Nowcastleupon-lyno, was vacant last month, and that the offico of Principal of the College, which may be coupled with the professorship, will bo held over till Christmas. That was the position hold by Professor Aldis in Encfland when he accepted the Auckland professorship. Such in tho announcement in tho London papers of the 31st August, which also states;— "Tho stipend of the Profosaor of Mathematics is a fixod sum of £300, together with one-third of all fees of the classes in his department, tho College guaranteeing a minimum remuneration of £'100 per annum. -I am, etc., Spectator.