PREDICTION FULFILLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 23 August 1926, Page 8

PREDICTION FULFILLED.

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY ATTENDANCE.

RECORD FOR THE DOMINION,

BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE

As predicted at the beginning of the year, when the now arts building was opened in Princes Street, the Auckland University College lias established a record. There arc now 1 "2.")S students on the rolls, as against 1177 for n>2.l. This is not only a record for Auckland but for tie Dominion as well, for the present number of students attending at Auckland has never been readied by any nf the other colleges, though most of them have passed the thousand mark- j No less than 24 main subjects are; taught at the college and many of these' subjects are split up into several , separate and distinct studies- It might ! bo mentioned, for example, that economics. architecture, dentistry, j accountancy, music forestry and etigin-; eeriiiLT really represent groups of sub- ' jects, and the scope of the university \ work is rapidly growing, through the j etl'ort of the college Authorities to cater fur the needs of the whnle community.

In the classics department, both Greek and Hebrew, under Professor A. C. Palerson, are being studied by a small but growing band of students—sixteen this year in the. ease of Greek, live of Hebrew. •

Every year sees some important extension. The opening of 1 i>27 will be marked by the establishment of a school of economics as an independent school at the college, a change that involves the splitting-up of the chairs of economics and history which have now for a long time been held by Professor J. P- Grossmatin, who has carried on for the college a very heavy burden. The total number of students under Professor Grossmann this year is 330, of whom 100 are studying economics- A professor of economics is to be apointed to commence duties in March, 1D27- The applications are now bXng called-

Journalism is attracting many who write as a hobby, and there are now 23 students attending the lectures on journalism. The lectures were first given in 1024, and last year 12 students took the course.

.Accountancy has shown an increase of 50 per cent in roll, and this is regarded as one of the most satisfying aspects of tlifi college growth, for it enables the university to give direct service to the business community. Music and Fine Art. "The school of music is being well attended, and, with the use of the new college hall, is sure to thrive," remarked the registrar (Mr. M. Roche OShea) today, in stating that Auckland enjoyed a valuable assets in its new music hall. The college musical societies had all expanded, and the registrar explained that the development in other departments of the college had been no less marked. The school of engineering was being called upon more and more every day to serve the city by active and practical assistance in testing materials. It was desired to encourage ibis co-operation between the college and the builders.

In the school of architecture, under Professor C. R. Knight, the registrar said that the college hud one of its proudest possessions. The architects of Auckland and other parts of New Zealand considered that Professor Knight was doing splendid work, and it had been predicted that the Auckland School of Architecture would soon have a high standing amongst the architectural schools of the world. The school of forestry, with a smaller student roll, had also' made a good start. The students were spending the present vacation at Riverhead in the employ of the State Forest Service. The department's reports on their work during the previous vacation had been highly complimentary.

''It is practically certain that, from the beginning of next year, we shall have a school of art established under the aegis of the University College," continued Mr. O'.Shea. He said that a step forward in this direction was advised by Sir James Parr when Minister of Education. The propositi had also met with the favourable consideration of the trustees of the Elam School of Art; and the scheme for developing an cllicient school of line arts had been approved by the college council. Under such a scheme the school of arts and present school of architecture would become the nucleus of an important centre of culture.