THE NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 144, 18 June 1894, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

CONDUCT OF EXAMINATIONS.

(BT TELEGRAPH.—PRHSS' ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. The Minister of Education has written to Dr. Hector, Chancellor of the University Senate, stating that his attention has frequently been called to a difficulty placed in the way of undergraduates, and particularly such as cannob afford to live near the University College,by requiring them Wpass an annual examination ab one of the colleges.- j Mr Iteeves cays ib appears doubtful whether the University has any right to' delegate any part of its function as ah examining body,to any other institution, or to impose any examination except its own upon candidates for its idegrees. He points out that a candidate, necessarily handicapped by his inability to avail himself of the great benefit of attending the lectures of the professors, now suffers further loss by being examined in the substances of these lee tv res alongside of men who I heard them. He inquires if the Senate is likely: to reconsider this matter, and, if not, asks the Chancellor to help him to devise^oiw way in which, apart from the University, lonely students may have the' results of their work tested, and may obtain certificates that would command general respect!. The Chancellor, in reply, says the*question will, be carefully considered'at the next meeting of the Senate. He acids that the guiding principle of the Senate has been thab the examinations, taken by themselves, however high may ba their standard, do nob afford always sufficient indication of the attainment of a graduate, and, for this reason, with the approval of the Senate, every diploma issued bears a certificate that the graduate has not only passed the examinations, bub has pursued the required course of study. J,;B[e states it is not only conceivable, but,quite likely that a person may successfully pass the University examinations, and yeb nob have had the reaily necessary amount ,of education indicated by the University decree. Tho provision by which every undergraduate" musb receive the testamur of the College before he can come to tho University examination tends in a great measure to reduce the chances of persons such as he has referred to obtaining degrees. The matter,. of the delegation of the Senate's functions in these college examinations is one which, has never before been pub to the Senate: It hns considered that, having powe/ to examine fpr degrees, it has also power tfl( make necessary conditions precedent to, and to appoint examiners iv all sbagee for its examinations.