CANTERBURY COLLEGE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9736, 26 May 1897, Page 3

CANTERBURY COLLEGE.

DEGREE DAY.

Though the New Zealand University Senate thought fit, two or three yeara ago, to abolish diploma day, the students of this branch of the- University still continue to hold -some kind of celebration. The year 1893 saw the downfall of the old senatorial function, and since then the Students' Association, with the sanction of tbe College Board of Governors and under' the auspices of • the Professorial Councils have maintained* the ceremony which carried an the same lines as when the Senate sanctioned it. It was a matter for regret, liowever, that several professors were absent from the platform. Early in the afternoon the students gathered in the quadrangle, hooded and gowned, and after a photograph had been taken marched into the Hall to the strains of " Long Live Canterbury College." As the members of the Board and the Professors filed on to the platform they Were greeted with " The animals came in two by two," &c. . r Mr H. R. Webb, the Chairman of the Board, presided, and on the platform with him were — the Hon. W. C. Walker, M.L.C, Mr Justice Denniston, Lieutenant Colonel Gordob, Major Slater, Professors Cook, Bickerton and Mathew, the Revs. Canon Harper and Gordon Webster, Messrs J. P. Grossmann, T. S. Weston, C. F. Bourne, Bevan-Brown, F. S. Neave, Elliott and E. Watkins.

The Chairman said it was the last time that they, as a Board constituted under the old system, would meet the students. He himself saw no reason for the change, and all he thought necessary to be altered was the allowing of graduates living at a distance the power to vote 1 by letter. Except the Hon. W. Montgqjmery, he was the enly present member who had the privilege of sitting on the old Board since its inception. Some people might say that the ' graduates were too limited a body to have the sole choice of members of the Board, but it should be remembered that they had as much knowledge to allow them to discriminate as to suitable men as anyone. They had, however, to bow to tbe inevitable, and whatever the new Board might-be, he hoped that they would carry ori the institutions under their charge as successfully as had been done here- [ tofore. Canterbury College bad taken last- ! year four out of the five senior scholarships awarded by the University ; the success I being owing to tbe efficient staff of Professors I and Lecturers. The Registrar then read the following list :— 1897—Masters of Ap.ts. Frank Milner, first : elass honours in languages and literature (Latin and English). Barbara Martin, first-class honours in languages and literature (English and j French). -."•'■ I Clara Beatrice Mills-, first-class honours in languages 4ttd literature (English and French). • | Alexander Bell, first-class honours in ! mathematics. Maud Edith Ltwrell, second-class honours in languages and literature. (Greek and ! French). * Arthur Edward Flower, second-class honours in mathematics. Timothy Ambrose -Murphy, second-class honours in history and political economy and jurisprudence aud constitutional history. Arnold Wilfrid Shrimpton, second class honours in history and political economy and jurisprudence and constitutional history. Janet Reid Curri*, second class honours in I languages and literature (Latin and English). I Alexander Gnnn, Henderson, third class honours in and literature (Latin and English): " r ' Robert Logan third class honours in languages and 'literature (Latin and English). ,-'■ , v I Margaret Ellen Todhunter, Master of I Arts. ''" Montfort Trimble, Doctor of Laws. Bachelors«y|^rT'Eli za Campbell, Lucy Lilian Grant, gftret Walker, AndreivTNisbet Burns, Wilt liam David Campbell,. John Kenneth Harold ' Inglis, Sydney Charles Owen, Henry Montague Smith, JarngSjSuthedand^eorge Thorngate Weston, Frederick JameS Wilkes, Frederick William Young. ', Bachelors of Science —- Annie Eveline Mills, M.A. ; Clara Beatrice Mills, B.A. ; William Arthur Robinson, B/A.; Arthur Rainsford Craddock.

Bachelors of Laws—Timothy Ambrose Murphy, B.A. •, Apirana Turupa Ngata, B.A. ; Francis -Joseph- Rollestoh, B.A. ; Joseph Albert Tripe, B.A. ; Michael Myers, William Cranstonn Henry Wigley, Successful students—Eleven students from the College were this year recorded as having gained honours, viz. :—F. Mibier gained first—ass honours in languages and literature (Latin and English), Misses B. Martin and C B. Mills first-class honours in languages and literature (English and French),, A, Bell -first-class honours in mathematics, Miss J. R* Ciirrie second-class honours in languages and literature (Latin and English), Miss M. E. Lawrell secondclass honours in languages and literature (Greek and French), A.. _. Flower secondclass honours in mathematics, T. A. Murphy and A. W.. Shrimpton second-class honours in- history and political economy and jurisprudence and constitutional history, A. G. Henderson and R. _. Mcllroy third-class honours in languages and ' literature (Latin and English). The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on. the following:— Misses M. E. Lawrell, C. _. Mills, J. Mulholland and M. E. Todhunter, and Messrs A. Bell, A. E. Flower, F. Milner, T. A, Murphy and A. W- Shrimpton. Fifteen students of the College; passed the final examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and had the degree conferred upon them, viz., Misses' E. Campbell, L. M. Gibson, A. L. Grant, C. S. Howard, E. Low and M. Walker, and Messrs "W. D. Campbell, A. N. Bums, J. K. H. Inglis,,S. C. Owen, H. M. Smyth, J. Sutherland, G. T. Weston, F. J. Wilkes and F. W. Young; whilst twenty-three were recorded as having passed the first section of their Bachelor of Arts examination, viz., Misses E. M. Allen, R. Collier,' M.'_ eminent, E. Enright, F. M. Kirton, M. McEachah, M. G. Newton, M. F. L. Ollivier, M. Rawson, F. D. W. Ross, F. C. Schneider:and K. Scott, and Messrs C. T. Aschman, J. Caugbley, H. Hine, E. F. Johansen, A. P. Lingard, C. W. L Maclaverty, .). Prendeville, G. Schneider, R. H. Strong, T. B. Strong and H. O: Stuckey. The degree of Bacbelor of .Science was conferred on the following:—Misses A. E. t and C. B. Mills and Messrs'A. R. Croddock.and W. A. Robinson. The degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on Mr Montfort Trimble ; and that of Bachelor of Laws on T. A. Murphy, 8.A., A. T/Ngata, 8.A., F. J. Rolleston, 8.A., J. A. Tripe, 8.A., M. Myers and W. C. H. Wigley. The following were recorded as having passed their respective examinations for the degree of Bachelor of Ijaws : —Third examination, H. D. Muff; second examination, W. Ootry and G. T. Weston ; first examination, E. F. Johansen. Mr W. A. Robinson, B.AI, Was recorded as having passed the whole Medical Intermediate Examination. The first examination for the degree of Bachelor of Music was passed by Miss Jane S. Black. The following students passed their respective examinations for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering:—Third examination, T. R. Burt and A. R. Craddock; second examination, J. E- L. Cull; first examination, J.E. L. Cull, S. H. Jenkinson and C. N. B. Williah—. Of the senior scholarships offered by the University, two and a half were fined by students, of thia College. J. X- , Inglis gained the scholarship in mathematics, A. R. Craddock that in Physical Science, and Miss Elsie Low was equal for that in Natural Science." Mr Alfred Jolly gained the Bowen prize for 1896 for aa essay on "The Present Position and Future Prospects of British Rule in Airica." The College exhibitions given for excellence in honours work at the College annual examination were, awarded, as follows: —For- Latin,. Miss C. S. Howard; for Mathematics, J. K. H. Inglis; for English, F. J. Wilkes; for French, Misses Eliza Campbell and M. Walker (equal); for natural science, Miss E. Low ; and for exnerimental science, W. D. CampbelL. The '-.various degrees awarded by the University of. New Zealand to students who have been educated at this College are as follows :— I ox ;.B,A, 140 (some of whom are

still eligible to compete for the M.A. degree); LL.D., 1; LL.B., 8; B.Sc„ 4 ; B.Sc. in engineering, 2. Two arts graduates have also obtained the degree of LL.D., 11 that of LL.B., and 11 that of B.Sc. Since the foundation of the University of New Zealand, 79 graduates in arts and in science have been awarded first class honours; 45 of these belong to Canterbury College; and all six double first class honours awarded by the University were gained by students from this College. Of the 129 senior and third year and John Tinline scholarships awarded by the University of New Zealand during the last twenty years —the period during which the presentScholarship regulations have been in force— saventy-seven and a half have bedo. awarded to students of Canterbury College. Since 1892 a science scholarship, founded by the Commissioners of the 1851 Exhibition, to enable the holder to continue his studies in Europe, have been awarded four times, and on two of these occasions to students of this College. Of the twenty-two Bowen prizes which have been awarded by the University, for an essay on a subject connected with English History, and open to all undergraduates of the University of New Zealand, sixteen have been gained by students trained in-this College, whilst the only three mentioned as proxiine accessit, have also been of this College. During the reading of the list there were several interruptions from the undergraduates, and the beat of the big drum with the piping of various extraordinary instruments enlivened the proceedings. A capital song " There's only room for one," was also given, each verse forming a recitative which was capitally intoned by one student—the others joining in the chorus. The Chairman then called on each graduate to come up and sign his or her name to the book specially provided by the Professorial Council. As each male graduate went up he was greeted with some topical remark, while in the case of the lady graduates the verse " Yivant omnes virginos" of the " Gaudeamus " was sung ; also any distinction as to sex *' For he's a jolly good fellow."

The Chatrt.ian then called on the Rev, Canon Harper, who said that the fact that those who did well in examinations often did not succeed equally in after life, must be very consoling to the unsuccessful. The object of education was to fit them for life, and to cause them to make some contribution to the service of their fellow "creatures. Some years ago it was his lot, to" quote the song, '" To scoot to England's far shore," and he was enabled to visit his old College at Oxford. While there he naturally recalled the names of those men who had achieved distinction, and who in after life had fallen into the background. It might not be uninstructive that afternoon to enquire into the reasons of their failure. One \vas that'they did not see the connection between the powers of mind and body, ami so exhausted them by one great efforts He did not wish to set forward the plea of indolence—in fact overwork was not a plea many of - them could advance. There were some strenuous students, however, who did not continue to work welL It was rather a rash thing to advise the gentler sex, but he would remind the ladies that they had not the same physical powers that the men had. The senior classic and wrangler often overtaxed their strength and afterwards went to the shade. The study of books alone did not fit men and women for the journey of life. We should remember that we should understand human nature and the men and women of the world in the best sense of the term. A scholar was no scholar if his knowledge was obtained from books only. A much wider book was. the book of life. He referred to the value of havine the examinations for the degrees set by men at Home, as although the anxious waiting for results often spoilt the enjoyment of the vacation it gave prestige to the degree. On the first page of the new College iriUgazine which had been published a few days ago he noticed a remark which brought up the question of residential Colleges. ;It Was only in the case of residential Colleges that any real expansion of College life could be given. The experiment had met with success in America, and surely it was not a dream to think that a residential College could not be established here, perhaps on the strip of land opposite. (A >Voiok— " Oh the tennis court?") -Yes, on, the tenuis court.-. . ' C-■■*"^'"■<">—"

Wsbton said that thiswas , ; aj» "Occasion when thp Chancellor of the'Cniverf sity should be present. They should have the old .Diploma Day of years*ago, and; have a large audience to hear the small pipe and the big drum giving forth their melodious notes. They must admit that the honours of Uni-. yersity lffetfell to the Canterbury College in a large proportion, a fact which spoke well for both professors and students.. Young women should appreciate the advantage they possessed in having opportunities of taking part in University life. He would like to see education extended in New Zealand, and scholarships so increased that every facility was offered to the poorest people to have the advantages of University education. -. It was all very well to take degrees, and to imagine everything necessary had been obtained, and the work of life stood really before them, and the question to be asked was—Were they prepared for the ordeal they had to undergo ? Most College young men left their studies with no practical knowledge of the world. Some went into teaching, some , into the law, and other professions j and found they were at a disadvantage'in contending with men who had possessed fewer opportunities, of education thenthey themselves. The object of education was to cultivate their minds to enable them to work with accuracy and to prepare them: selves for things required in practical life. University studies should be undertaken with some special object. Many passed through. State and secondary schools on to College'without having any definite object. In the ease of young women many devoted a good deal of time to attending lectures and in. gaining, degrees at the expense of domestic knowledge. In reference to Canterbury College, a large number of students had been turned out, and when the age of the institution was taken into consideration those present could satisfy themselves that excellent work had been done. He was glad to see that "A Canterbury College Review" had been started, and he hoped all connected with its management would succeed. He hoped that, in the interests of the institution, the best men would be returned to the Board by tbe graduates—not men of one colour, but men with a.variety of talent and attainments. On the old Board there had been men of finance, artists and professional men. The Board had the management of largo accounts, and for that reason he would specially urge that they should return men of well tried business capacity, who could manage the Board's financial affatrs. The Hon. -WV C. Wambk, M.L.0., Minister, for Education, said that if there were any blame attachable to the new cdni stitution of the Board, ho must take his fair share of it. He felt bound to express* bis opinion of the conduct of the old Boat— The present change had not come through any fault of theirs, for they had carried out their duties with conscientiousness and in accordance with the aim of the founders of the College. He would deprecate any 'censure on the judgment of the graduates in the filling of vacancies. Much of t,he ; success of the College had been owing to the generosity and lack of self-seeking on the part of the graduates. Only two or three of their own number had filled seats. Last year the Government thought they should take the matter into their own hands, and he thought that the new Board would be satisfactory, as any such constitution should be. One of the faults of the old system was the life- tenure of office. The franchise was ndw extended. They could not expect a University to be established on English lines, as Canon Harper had advocated, for that depended on a moneyed and leisured class. This would not suit the aims of the Government, as they wished to make the Colleges the centres' of learning and light to the whole country. 'The question bad often been asked what were the uses, of Universities, bat the presence of graduates to the. world should be an example of the use Universities were, for they should show they had learnt something and knew what to do with it.

During pauses in the proceedings the undergraduates sang their wlifcb quite came up to tbe usual standard of wit and pungency. 'J'he intoning in the song "Farrago LibelH" wai very happy. One student being particularly good and worthy of the precentor in a cathedral. All the songs were devoid of any undesirable' personalities, though a good deal of harmless and amusing banter at the Pro- ( feasors wh l&dtUg*d i_