UNIVERSITY WORK.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13332, 26 January 1909, Page 7

UNIVERSITY WORK.

THE QUESTION OF SPECIALISING.

ENGINEERING AND MINING.

(rax__ association __x___--J-_. AUCKLAND, January 25. The question of specialising in tho different. University centres wo* linden discussion at to-day's session of the. Senate of the University of New __»- laud. The matter arose out of a. letter from the Registrar of the Auckland University College convoying a resolution of the Council:—•'That the Senate, be asked to recognise the teaching given at the Auckland U_iversity ColK»g_ for the first profession-— year of engineering ' (civil, mechanical, and electrical)." It was pointed out by the writer mat of the six subjects which may bo ottered for examination at the end of the candidates' hr_t professional year, four are already taught at Auckland for the B.K. (mining and metallurgical), the definitions being identical in each case The Council now asked lor recognition of the teaching in technical chemistry and applied mechanics, and atso the mechanics of machinery. Profe_-or Scott said it would bo remembered that some year, ago it was suggested that each of tho University, Come..--, should specialis.. To a voiy largo extent tha. idea had been, carried out, and when four years ago a movement was made at Christchurck to extend tho Engineering School there to mining ho opposed it. The proposition of the Auckland College Council meant breaking down the arrangement. Iv the event of Auckland taking up engineering tho Canterbury College Would take up mining, and there would be petty schools in all tho centr__. The Dominion was not largo enough to support more than one School of Euginoermg. Ihero were, further, not enough men coming forward. Up to the present. Auckland had not succeeded in giving the preliminary teaching for tho first year in engineering, in three individual cases, ho declared, hardship had resulted from this. What really was wanted was for a student to be in contact with and taught by engineers for the whole four years of his course. If the Auckland Council would reconsider the matter, it would see there were ' great ebJbculties in the way of the recognition of these subjects. It was better to have specialised professional schools, and for each of these to adhere to a range of subjects. Mr G. Hogben, Inspecfor-General of Schools, said the Government hod given grants to enable tho various college, to specialise. As far as engineering waa concerned, it was evident that, to establish four Engineering Schools—if there were xnoro than, one, there might as well be four—would require a capital expenditure of __200,(_X. and also an annual expenditure in the case of each one of £3000 to £4000 .or salaries, etc. This meant an annual cost of at. least £12,000. The number of engineers required in New Zealand would not warrant such a large capital or yearly expenditure. It would, be very much cheaper and better tp- v provide ono school in one centre, with scholarships! for those who could not otherwise attend that school. As tho Dominion grew, say, to a population of 10,000,000 people, we might require four Engineering Schools, but not yet. Dr. McDowell, a member of the Auckland College Council, said that) that body was moved to bring the matter before the Senate because of representations made that there waa a groat demand in Auckland for the teaching of engineering. They had there teaching capacity to give instruction to the extent asked. It was- fully recognised that to ooi_pl_4-.-_. curriculum students would have to go to the Canterbury College; but a number would be saved expense by being able to go through their first year's course in Auckland. He thought they _______ have specialising; but this was not being _ carried out* The__ were. . two Mining Schools (one at Otago). though Auckland was the place appointed. There were also _____ne___al ____ool_. one at Christchurch and one at Auckland. T , Mr H. Yon Haast said the matter might go to tbe Engineering Committee, with a recommendation tliat __• .- Senate adhere to the schema for - specialisation The Chancellor (Sir Robert . Stcmt) said he adhered still to what ho had said in 1885, namely, that there outfit to be specialisation at the varic-ts oof. legea. If Auckland waa looked upon as tho Mining School for the _*-__ma_an_ engineering should be left to Canterbury. He thought a Law School micht bo established in Wellington- ___c alternative was to have one central tiniversity. There could not be schools in each centre without a cost to tie U__. minion that it could nc* stand. Tho people did not realise, tha _, after alt they were a small * <____iy, aad that strict economy and very little taxation would "shove them along better then ■ any scheme yet propounded by an*. Parliament of New i_ .aland. , • The letter from tho Auckland Council wa» referred to tho "__agi____er___ Committee, as was ono from tha ______ source concerning certificates of proficiency m engineering. -- ■ ■