RAIN IN AUCKLAND

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 138, 7 December 1907, Page 8

RAIN IN AUCKLAND

[BT TELEOKArH. — MESS ASSOOIAHON.] AUCKLAND, This Day. There was a heavy downpour last night, and intermittent rain to-day. It will do an immense .amount of good to tho country, but will have serious results, so far as the floral fote, promoted on behalf of the funds of the Ladies' .Benevolent Society are concerned. The funds are in a weak state. The feto is proceeding at Ellcrslie, despite tho unfavourable conditions. THE PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD. «. , .... Mr. Amelius Smith, who for many years occupied a position as private secretary to different Ministers of the Grown, but who relinquished his connection with the secretarial staff some time ago, has been appointed secretary oC the Civil Service Board, under the Act passed last session. VICTORIA COLLEGE. ■ A meeting of the Victoria University District Court of Convocation was held last evening at Victoria College. Mr. T. E. Fleming, who presided, was elected chairman Jor the coming three years. He urged upon the meeting the necessity of taking a greater interest in the- working of the college than had previously been shown. The date for the election of a successor to Professor Maclauriu on the University Senate was fixed at tho 7th January next. Mr. yon Haast gave notice of the following motions lor next meeting for the purpose of framing representations to the University Senate: — (1.) The'present system of having tho greater part of the degree examinations .conducted by examiners in the United Kingdom should be continued as being in the interests of the university. (2.) Any scheme for the granting of degrees or holding examinations in theology should be rejected by tho senate as calculated to destroy the 'non-sectarian character of tho university and the affiliated colleges ,tho elements of religious discord from which they have hitherto happily been freo. (3.) The standard of the matriculation examinations should be raised. (4.) Some scheme should be devised whereby junior scholars and those who havo passed the junior scholarships examination should ba enabled to proceed at once to more advanced work instead of having, as in the present case, to mark time for two years. (5) If the funds o fthe university permit it, tho fees for degrees should bo redncod. (6.) Every encouragement should be given to postgraduate research work at the affiliated colleges. Mr. B. E. Murphy, M.A., gave notice to move that the senate should be recommended 1o establish a degree of Doctor of Philosophy in New Zealand, and that certain alterations should bo made in fcha matriculation and junior scholarship examinations. A motion was adopted to the effect that the senate should consider the revision of statutes, especially in reference to transfers from district to district, and voting by proxy.