SCHOOLS OF ENGINEERING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14956, 1 May 1914, Page 5

SCHOOLS OF ENGINEERING.

TO THE EDITOR O* "THE TRESS." Sir _-\Yp southerners have fallen into tho habit of twitting Auckland with its parochialism, and saying other unpleasant things about it, hut, after all, abuse is no argument, and as hitherto, the Christchurch public has had but little information placed before it to help it to arrive at a fair judgment on tho points involved in this controversy. 1 be" leave to review some of tho arguments which have been advanced in support of the Auckland position, ana first, with regard to the power of the Senate to refuse to recognise their engineering classes, the views ot A r Tibbs (headmaster of tho Auckland Grammar School) aro to the point, ancl worth quoting. The charter of tho Lnlversitv distinctly states, he says, that the University is established, not- tor the purpose uf teaching, but of encouraging by means of examination, proficiency in literature, science, and art. Hence, he argues, oven if the- Senate is within its legal rights m refusing recognition, the regulations on whicn it bases those rights aro contrary to the spirit of the charter. Mr Tibbs further states "that it is no new thing to find a chartered company exceeding its powers, and that unless they are closely watched, they usually seem to do_so." "Further usage,"' he continues, "governs interpretation." He goes on to point out that while Wellington , is claimed as the seat of the recognised School of Law. law students from Auckland and elsewhere arc accepted, and he pertinently asks which of < the colleges has respected Auckland's special concession of a monopoly in commerce. Again, "Did anyone ever hear of a candidate presented by one of its colleges being refused examination by the Universities of Oxford or of Cambridge? And yet the colleges of New Zealand stand in precisely tho same relation of independence towards each other as these which constitute the older universities." "It is about time," ho adds, "that the,whole position was reviewed."' In another letter, he mentions that tlie Senate has inserted in tho calendar, among tho regulations for professional degrees, notices such a.., the 'following:—"The Canterbury College, is a recognised school of engineering." "The Canterbury Agricultural College at Lincoln is recognised as a school of agriculture," and asks, "Is it to be assumed from this that the list of recognised schools is closed?''" And. referring to Sir Logan Campbell's endowment of a Chair ot Agriculture in connexion with the Auckland College, he asks, "When the time comes to establish this branch of our college, is the council to go to the Senato for recognition of it.-; classes with the expectation of being told that Lincoln College is to continue to enjoy the same monopoly of agricultural teaching that l-.as been, conferred upon the Canterbury College of Engineering?"

There is no doubt. Sir, that in theso views Mr Tibbs spooks for the Auckland people. For years their apathy in the matter of the higher education and' culture has been a standing reproach to them, but there is abundant evidence that- they are waking out of their lethargy, and it seems inovitablo that tho regulations which are proving such a disastrous check on their higher education, and the expansion of Auckland's activities, should lx> reconsidered. That tho Auckland people Jiavo every confidence in the efficiency of their School of Engineering is shown by two facts, one being that the College Council, including the professors, while differing as to the correct" way of approaching the Senate on the matter, is unanimous in its opinion that the school should be recognised, the other being that tho number of students in tho Auckland Engineering School has increased during the last threo or four months by 60 per cent. It will need some better argument against recognition than the fact that money is being lavished on an institution several hundred miles distant, which for many reasons can never bo available to mere than a very limited number of its students. It is no wonder that those who are responsible for the vast outlay on the local School of Engineering, and .are burdened with the difficulty of meeting its heavy expenses, should strain every nerve to justify this outlay, and increase its number of students as the best means of so doing, but why look so far as Auckland for students? Where are those who one might reasonably expect would come from Canterbury an< ! other districts of the South Island? Is it not a remarkable fact that while Canterbury College records the fine total

of no fewer than thirty-five now men graduates" OS the result of the University examinations this year, not one of these graduates comes from the School of Engineering? How is it that somo at least of these young men have not been impressed with the advantages offered by the Canterbury School of Engineering? Answer will no doubt bo made that examination results are not- the only test of the efficiency of work done, and reference may be made to former students who aro filling good positions. Rut for an institution which is claiming tho monopoly of training engineers, and is the only institution in the Dominion which professes to provide training in the more advanced requirements for the University Degree, the dearth of results is not calculated to impress or attract students who could avail themselves of its advantages only by the exercise of great sacrifices. It remains to be seen how the action of the Public Works Commissioners in using their positions for the purpose of granting educational monopolies will be received. —Yours, etc., FAIR PLAY. [On enquiry we find that there were only four students from the School of Engineering in thoir final year last year; tho number varies greatly from year to year. Two passed the final examinations, but as is always the case, will not oe awarded their degrees until they have completed their 18 months' practical work. Three students also passed the final examinations for the Associateship of tho School of Engineering. These aro in the same position. Thus 5 matriculated students completed their engineering courses as far -as their college, training is concerned. These will receive their diplomas- by post when their practical work has been completed.].