NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 17, 20 January 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

SENATE'S ANNUAL SESSION. THE OHANCTELLOR'S ADDRSBS. The annual session of the New Zealand University Senate was opened at the University buildings, Auckland, -this morning, the Chancellor (Sir jtdbert Stout) presiding. Of the 24 members of the Senate, the following were present: Professors-Salm'ond (Dunedin), J. R. Brown (Wellingtoaj, F. D. Brown (AuckScott' (Dunedin), J. M. Brown (Christchurch); Drs. McDowell (Auckland), Chilton (Christchurch), Fitchett (Wellington), Revs. A. Cameron (Dunedin), W. A. Evans (Wellington), Hon. J. A. Tole (Auckland), Messrs. Hogben. (Inspector-rGeneral of Schools), L. Cohent (Wanganui), F. E. Baume, M.P. (Auckland), H. A. Gordon (Auckland), H. yon Haast (Wellington), J. W. Jbynt (registrar), and Hector. An apology for absence was received from Professor Shand (Dunedin), on account of- illhealth. In the course of his "report, the ; . Chancellor (Sir Robert Stout) .said that since «the last annual meeting, of the Senate two of the oldest Fellows, Professors Sale and Cook, had resigned. Professor Sale appointed a Fellow in 1877; and during" the long- -period of thirty years had given most valuable assistance in the building up of the University. Professor Cook was appointed in 1884, and he also had been one whose advice and - assistance * were eagerly sought for and generously given. Mr. James Allen, M.P., liad been appointed by the' Otago University Council as Professor Sale's successor, and Professor Chilton by the Professorial Board of Canterbury College to succeed Professor Cook. PROGRESS AND EXPANSION. The report continues: "Perhaps the most notable features' of the New- Zealand University' world during the past year have been the continued increase or University students, and the development and extension of University teaching in our affiliated institutions. The number of candidates for degree examinations was in 1907, 798; in 1908, 892. . The number of candidates for the entrance examinations, including those who were candidates for junior scholarships, was in 1907, 1390; in 1908, 1514. The teaching colleges have been able, mainly through the additional monetary assistance granted to them by the. Government and Parliament, to increase their teaching staffs. It is pleasing to record that I the good work of some lecturers has been recognised by their promotion to the superior status of Professor." With the increase in the number of University students, and in teaching facilities, we have a right to expect a greater progress in our educational work; and this will, no doubt, be evidenced in time by a higher life and a wider culture in our Dominion. We have still to rely for many of our highest teachers on iiie Home Country, .and also for many of our professional men. If the present growth of our University continues, we should be able, in of time, to supply our own teachers and professional men, and to send many of our New Zealanders to other countries to fill high positions. It is, perhaps, too early to consider what Ahe effect of the-two scholarship schemes, the Rhodes, and the 1851 Exhibition, niay have on our Dominion. Up to the present almost all these scholars have found employment outside our Dominion. I hope the time may soon come when we shall witness our able sons, who have been educated in Europe and America,- returning to their native country, and helping to develop it and to guide its destinies." ENGLISH SYLLABUS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. The report to state 'that-the Senate last year referred the question of amending the requirements of English for degree examinations to the professors of English in the affiliated institutions, but the professors had not agreed, and it remained for the Senate, therefore, to consider the question and decide it. Another matter for consideration , related to a fe-y dental students who were apprenticed, or had begun the study of dentistry, between the passing of the Dentists Act, 1904, and the date of its coming into force, and who ask for exemption from the preliminary

examination, and a curtailment of the degree course m their case. , The Chancellor considered that if privilege were granted, it should :be.':given to students by name, and not in general terms. On the question of superannuation,- the report remarks: -"Seeing that superannuation- provision is now made for all branches of the Civil Service, I .hope it will not be long before the teachers and officers of our highest educational institutions, .who are surely as much entitled to provision for their old age as any servants of the public, may be brought under some proper pension scheme." The question, whether some of the.subjects now taken .by. examiners.in. ..England could not be "examined by rest, dentsin New Zealand, would .also, comeup for discussion, and in this'matter the Chancellor, while not advocating am» immediate change in our present system, thought it was a question whether they could not begin cautiously, and. try New Zealand examiners in a: few of our subjects, and see *if they-could not, by de;grees,. learn to. rely on themselves for everything connected with work. NEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD. Numbers of New Zealand - students have been doing well, both in England and America, during the year, and two of our former students have obtained distinguished .recognition of ythe mostconspicuous character. Professor. Rutherford, now at the University of Manchester, has been awarded the Nobel Prize for 1908 in the department of science, and Professor Maelaurin, who left New Zealand a year ago to take up Uie Professorship of Higher Mathematics at the Columbia University, New-York, was not allowed to. retain His riew.position long, but- has .been appointed Processor of the Massachusetts Technological' Institute at Boston; probably .the most prominent position in the teaching of practical science in the United States. The teaching staff comprises 253 persons, of whom 86 are professors; The. selection of a New Zealander for such a position must afford us both pride and gratification. The University -of Cambridge, which had previously conferred on' Professor Maelaurin the degree of Doctor "of Laws, has during the .past year" also con-' ferred -on him the degree of Doctor of Science. (Applause.) One of the most distinguished of the men who* have served as examiners for the New Zealand University has passed away in .the person of Dr. Edward Oaird, who had but a short time.previously resigned the mastership of ißalliol. It would be a graceful act; on the part of the Senate to send to his family through ,our s agent in England a> message of ' regret: and appreciation.

. An invitation to be represented at the Darwin. 'jcommemoration in-June hasbeen received by the University of..New Zealand. ■-..",

•-THE- UNIVERSITY AND THE CIVIL ;*/.;::-."" : In a former Teport( the'""Chancellorstates) I suggested that the entrance-ex-amination of the University sSould be utilised not only for entrance to the University and a school leaving certificate; but that it might be' also! used "for the Civil Service examkiations. Many public school teachers- in Great Britain 1 and here have felt the inconvenience of having their pupils trained for so manydiflereht examinations. No * doubt the" range of subjects in our syllabus wouldhave to-be incieased; but I believe the gain, especially to' our secondary schools, and, what is more important, to their pupils, would be great; nnd the Education Department would also 'jje benefitedby being freed from detail work out of keeping with the usual routine of a Government 'Department. MAORI FOR The Senate will see in the list of memorials, etc., to He considered, a-reso-lution .yin favour of, adding Maori ,as on optional subject fOf tlie '■antraflce examination, , This .would not merely b,e, a concession to Maori students, but it might, aid in preserving the purity of the language, which,-under present conditions, is exposed to corrupting influences.. RETIREMENTS. : The following members of Senate retire in 1909, and are eligible for tion: —Professor F. D. Brown, Professor; J. R. Brown, Rev., Mr Cameron, Rev Mr Evans, Dr Fitchett, Mr Hay, Mr Hogben, Mr yon Haast, Dr McDowell, Hon. Sir G. M. O-RorkeY'Professor R. J. Scott, Professor Shand • THE YEAR'S ACCOUNTS.' - •', y The accounts for 1908 were laid on the table, and showed %he fojlowing abstract of income and expenditure:— Income. — Statutory grant, £3000.; fees, £5880 T/-; interest, £1017 6/l.jmiseellaneous, £9217/7. Total, £9990 4/8. ... .-.'.. ,- " Expenditure.—Senate, £369 18/-; office" and salaries, £1053 13/0; examiners, paid in England, £-1060 : 15/-; ; examiners paid in New Zealand, £1539 8/10; examination expenses paid in England, £108 10/2;,' expenses paid in' New Zealand, £1877 9/4; scholarships, '£1996 17/6; ; general purposes, 1 £538 10/11 • balance, £1445 1/5. Total, £9990 4/8. _ ;';: REPORTS. The reports of the examiners in New Zealand 'on the. following examinations were submitted to the Senate for confirmation:—Medical intermediate, Ist, 2nd, and 3rd professional; Law: LL.B. division 2, and law professional; matricula'r tion, medical and engineering prelimin-. ary, and solicitors' general knowledge; entrance scholarship, Mus. Bac. intermediate, and barristers' general knowledge, (The Chancellors report will be considered at to-morrow's meeting of the Senate.) MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. , ■ ■ On the motion of Professor J. M. Brown, the hours were fixed' from 10 a.m. to 12.45 p.m., and from 2.30-p.m. onwards. A business committee consisting of Professors J. M. Brown, Salmond, J. R. Brown, Hon. J. A. Tole, and Hon. C. ; C. Bowen (vice-Chancellor) was appointed to arrange the various committees. The business committee meets this afternoon.. Sir Baume gave notice' of motion to the effect, that the number of committees be reduced.' ! The Senate' then adjourned. It is expected that the sessions of the Senate, will this year continue over about ten days. Amongst the subjects for consideration are—-Superannuation, definition, of mental science,. amendments in the syllabus ..of English, provisional, syllabus for "Bachelor of Science —B.?'. Professor Hight's proposals as to economics and history, standard of matriculation to be raised and scholars elected on that examination, study of Polynesian languages, and a very large number of proposed alterations and additions in different directions. Puny T)oys and girls «eea careful at-. tention. Nothing quite bo good for them as Steams' Wine which makes new blood, sharpens.; ;tbeir t appetije and re-' stores childhood's Happy vigour.—Advt,