MATRICULATION

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 118, 22 May 1925, Page 9

MATRICULATION

CONSIDERED BY UNIVERSITY

SENATE

ABOLITION 7 OF PARTIAL PASS

SUGGESTED.

<BI TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHUISTCHURCH. 21st May

To-day the New Zealand University Senate considered a new system of marking 'for the matriculation examination. Professor A. Wall moved, on behalf of the Entrance Examinations Committee, as follows:—"The committee recommends that the system of marking proposed by Dr. Anderson be adopted as modified thus: (1) In order to obtain a pass a, candidate must obtain (a) not less than 45 per cent, of the aggregate marks in five subjects; (b) not less than 40 per cent, in English; (c) not less than 30 per cent, in any other subject. (2) The partial pass is abolished. (3) In all classes where one or more subjects are required to complete matriculation or a professional preliminary, the pass mark must be 40 per cent. (4) The system will come into operation in 1926, and candidates who havo obtained partial passes shall be allowed until December, 1927, to complete. Note 1: Where- the candidate takes more subjects than are required for the examination for which he sits, his aggregate shall be computed on the five subjects most favourable to the candidate, due regard being paid to the limitations imposed by the regulations. Note 2: The elementary arithmetic for home science candidates shall not be included in the aggregate for this purpose, but a 40 per cent, pass shall be required. Previously 40 per cent, of marks in eaeli of five subjects has been required for a pass in matriculation.

Irofessor Wall stated that the result of the new scheme would be that a candidate who obtained low marks in hard subjects, like Latin or mathematics, might gain a pass by getting high marks in two other subjects. The recommendations were referred to the Board of Studies for a report. Mr. W. J. Morrell moved'"That In view of the interruption of school work caused by this, year's epidemic, the attention of the examiners and moderators bo called to tho importance of securing that the papers set shall not bo of an unduly difficult standard, and that the examiners for matriculation be instructed that in the special circumstances of this year tho proportion of passes in tho various subjects shall not vary widely from the'percentage of recent years." Mr. F. A. do la Mere opposed the motion, saying that the examination should not be branded this year as being easier than in other years. The Chancellor (Professor Macmillan Brown): "An infantile paralysis examination?"

Mr. de la Mere: "Yes, sir. If I was a. candidate I would prefer to fail rather than be given a pass under those circumstances." Professor Hunter said that he hoped the examination would not be !na'!e easier, but he would support the motion. The motion was carried. - :• •• SCHOLARSHIPS. Dr..W. J. Anderson moved: "That clause- V. of ;tlie junior scholarship statute be amended by. providing that a candidate whose subjects do not reach the.total of 280Q.jjiay chopse an/additional subject, and the total marks of such subject, be :' reduced so as, with the marks for- the other subjects taken by him, to make an aggregate of 2800; the_ arrangement to .operate this year." The motion was carried.

Dr. Inglis moved: "That the statute governing the medical travelling .scholarship, section IV., page 188, be amended to t-nable a scholar to, postpone his departure from New Zealand for a period of 27 months from the granting of the scholarship if he is occupying a resident position in one of the main hospitals of the Dominion." The matter was referred to the Board of Studies.

Professor J. K. Inglis moved: "That the Senate authorise a conference between Professors Pickerell and Raynor Bell and Messrs. H. Rattray (Christchurch), E. G. Bender (Wellington), and H. G. Gleeson (Auckland), to be held in Wellington in June, or any other suitable date, in order that means may be devised whereby certificates in mechanical dentistry may be accepted from lecturers outside Dunedin; the work of such lecturers and the practical courses given to be under tho supervision of the Dean of the Dental Faculty." Professor Inglis also moved r ''That the Wellington Recess Committee be empowered to take such actiou es may be necessary on receipt of the report of the conference." The motions were carried.

The report of the Science Committee embodied the following proposals in ragard to the conduct of the examination for B.Sc. in home science :—The teacher of any subject in the home science degree course shall be ex officio one of the examiners in that subject, there being also an external examiner. The examination papers shall be set by the examiners in consultation with one another. Tho examiners shall, if necessary, meet for thorough investigation of all doubtful and disputed cases. No candidate shall bo passed except with tho concurrence of tho examiners. The proposals wore adopted, | CONCLUDING BUSINESS. On the recommendation of the Science Committee (ho scheme /or a. school of architecture was refen'cd back to the Auckland Committee of tho Senate for further' consideration. Tlio Hon. J. A. Hanan proposed that, Professor T. A. Hunter bo appointed the Senate's official representative at meetings of the Royal ' Commission to investigate university .education in New Zealand. This was agreed to. Regulations for sonior scholarships in law and for a travelling scholarship in law of the annual value of £200 were adopted.

The following degrees were conferred in absentia:—Bachelor of Medicine and of Surgery,. University of Otago. Lawrence Cradock M'Niekle. Bachelor of Laws, Canterbury College, .Robert Lindsay Robertson. Certificateof proficiency in dental surgery, University of Otago*, Neal Marsden Irwin. and Margaret Christina Reid M'lntvre. '

Mr. J. S. Yeates, "M.Sc, of Victoria College, Wellington, was awarded the post graduate research scholarship in science. Mr. Yeates wishes to proceed to Cambridge for research in plant cvtoJogy (genetics).

_ Mr. R, S. Allan, M.Sc. (01-ngo University), who had previously been awarded the 1851 exhibition science scholarship, ami Mr. Yeates wore given free passages. The Senate has now rnnchuleil its sittings.