N.Z. UNIVERSITY SENATE

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 48, 26 February 1901, Page 3

N.Z. UNIVERSITY SENATE

The N.Z. University Senate sat again yesterday afternoon at Government House, the Chancellor (Sir James Hector) presiding. SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS. Professor A. P. Thomas moved, and Mr L. Cohen seconded: (1) "That as it is impossible that candidates examined by different examiners can be fairly compared, the number of senior scholarships shall be so increased that this may be avoided. (2) Also that a scholarship be awarded for medicine." Professor Cook opposed the proposal to increase the scholarships, on financial grounds. After some further ! discussion the consideration of the j motion was postponed till the report j of the Finance Committee came up. EXAMIXATIOX CENTRES. Dr. Fitchett moved, "That the examination centres abolished iv ; 1_99 be restored." The mover! said that last year petitions had been i presented both to the Senate and the House, asking that this privilege accorded to the smaller centres be restored. The students living in smaller centres deserved consideration, and their grievance should be redressed. Dr. McGregor thought the only Smaller centres which should have this privilege restored were the W rest Coast of the South Island (Westland, etc.), and Gisborne and the East Coast of Jhe North Island. These places needed consideration, because.of the difficulty nf access, but it should be clearly understood that the arrangement would be tolerated no longer than it could be helped. They should be very careful not to do anything which would lower the standard. The Rev. J. Paterson supported the •motion, and said the outside students Blioulcl be given every consideration. Mr Cohen said that of the outside students last year. 2G were candidates for the law examinations. However, as long as these exempted students i were allowed to come up, certain out-1 side centres of examination should be continued. The centres he named were Gisborne, Wanganui, Nelson, Greymouth and Invercargill. There were some sixty students affected at the examinations last year by the abolition of the smaller centres.

Sir G. M. O'Rorke also supported the re-opening of the smaller centres. He could not see how the degree would be lowered thereby; they would have it-he same examination papers at the smaller centres as in the University cities. The tendency in England was to spread the examinations throughOut the country, and not to restrict ■them to a few centres.

Professor Sale opposed the motion, and said the "exempted students" provision was one of the worst things :in the calendar. The majority of these exempted students .were lawyer?, ■who were a useless burden on the University, and who merely presented themselves for the law examinations. Mr Cohen had told them there were 26 lawyers out of last year's exempted students, and he (Prof. Sale) thought they should not go to so much trouble and expense for law students who were in no way connected with the Univerfiity. There was no hardship involved in students'having to go to large centres for a few days for their examinations.

Mr Hay urged that no distinction be made between the November and December examinations as to the small tentres which it was proposed to add •to the present centres. He moved accordingly that provision be made for folding* the November 'examinations at the same centres as the December examinations, The additional 'small centres would be Timaru, Oamaru, Napier, Palmerston North, Nelson and .Westport. Prof. Cook said there was a grievance in regard to Nelson, which ought to be admitted to the list of small centres. Mr Hay's amendment was not Seconded, and therefore lapsed. After some further discussion Dr. Pitchett's motion was carried on the' .Voices. GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOARD. On the motion of Sir G. M. O'Rorke, -t was resolved, "That the Hon. J. A. Tole, E.A., LL.B,, be re-elected as a Senate member of the Board of Governors of the Auckland Grammar School." GERMAN AND GREEK. Professor P.D.Brown moved, "That the maximum number of marks for German in the examination for junior scholarships be raised to 1000." He; thought it was essential that more people should know German, and he suggested an increase in the number of marks in order that the study of German should be encouraged. It should get more marks than French, because it was a more difficult language. Dr. Salmond seconded, and said the passing of the motion would encourage schoolmasters to stimulate the study of German and pupils to prosecute it.

The Hon. W. Eolleston moved as an addendum to the motion, "That the maximum number of marks for Greek should be raised to 1250."

Professor Sale and the Primate {Bishop Cowie) also thought the study of Greek should be encouraged more than it was.

Dr. McGregor said the University curriculum could not carry two dead languages. They could not dispense with Latin, and Greek must be thrown overboard, much as everyone Would regret it. The question to increase fne marks for Greek to 1250 was lost on the casting vote of the Chancellor, the members of the Senate being equally divided on the subject.

On the question to increase the marks for German to 1000, there was a similar vote (eight for and eight against). The motion was carried on the Chancellor's casting vote being 'given for it. CHEMISTRY.

On tie motion of Dr. Scott, an addition was made to the definition of organic chemistry and practical chemistry for the degree in medicine.