The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1868.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2416, 19 September 1868, Page 2

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1868.

While the General Assembly was in session last year, a select committee was appointed to consider and report upon the petition of the Kev F. O. Simmons, at that time Eector of the Dunedin High School, for the establishment of University scholarships, or, to speak more correctly, of colonial exhibitions to British or other Universities. The appointment ot this select committee was due to the eiertions of Mr Dillon Bell, who has ever shown the most lively interest in all that relates to the cause of education in the colony. The committee adopted two methods of obtaiuing information on the subject which they were appointed to consider—they secured the attendance of Mr Simmons in Wellington, and they addressed a series of questions to about sixty gentlemen in different parts of the colony, who, either by education and known attainments, or by their social, political, or professional status, appeared entitled to be consulted in such a matter, and best qualified to give such information as the committee required. The report sent in by the committee noted the receipt of forty replies to the questions issued, and we find, on reference to the Journals of the House, that fifty-one answers, in all, were returned. The committee state that the gentlemen from whom they had received replies might be considered to constitute altogether a very fair practical representation of different localities, views, and interests. And the list of names fully confirms this statement. The following is the actual report of the_ committee:- With regard to their own views on the main question referred to their consideration, that is to say—the foundation by the colony of exhibitions which should enable the most promising of its young men to obtain the great advantage of a first-rate University education in Great Britain or ekewhere,—the committee, after having had the opportunity of considering the various'opinions and suggestions contained in the papers just referred to, are themselves disposed strongly to recommend the institution of such exhibitions. They concur with Mr Simmons and the majority of the gentlemen who have favoured them with their views, that University exhibitions, if properly established and cared for, would exercise a very perceptible and beneficial influence, direct and indirect, upon the whole course aud character of education throughout New Zealand. The foundation of eight exhibitions, two to be open to competition everv year, and made subject to regulation in all matters of administrative or other detail, by a Council of Education, as in Tasmania, would involve no very appreciable additional burden upon the country, and certainly would tend to induce and facilitate the establishment of exhibitions in the public schools of the provinces. The committee cannot recommend any attempt to be made at present for establishing a New Zealand University, great as the advantages of such an institution would in some respects be, but at the same time they would earnestly recommend that the Government should embrace the opportunity of setting apart portions of the confiscated lands for the purpose of providing an endowment for a Tniversity, whenever the proper time may come for the founding of one,— and they think that the several provinces should be invited to set apart portions of crown lands for the same purpose.

Ou referring to the questions submitted by the committee, we find that they raise three distinct points—the foundation of University scholarships for the purpose of sending boys from New Zealand schools to any of the Universities in the British Islands or the Australian colonies; the foundation of exhibitions for the encouragement, within the existing schools of the colony, of a higher class of studies than that which the pupils generally can now be induced to prosecute; and the establishment of a New Zealand University. Out of fifty-one answers to the questions, twenty-five are iu favour of the latter. The scholarships receive unanimous support, and a majority recommend that the exhibitions should be provided by the several provinces. So far, we have been dealing with the past. On August 27, Mr Dillon Bell again brought the subject before the House of Representatives, by proposing certain resolutions with a view to give effect to the report we have quoted above. And we find that the Government have taken the very important step of bringing a Bill into the Legislative Council for the endowment of a New Zealand University. Unfortunately, the endowment recommended is a block of the confiscated lands in the North Island—lands which the Government cannot hold and will not give up. Mr Dillon Bell moved that provision be made by an Act of the Assembly for the foundation of six scholarships, to be held at one of the Universities, op principal schools of law, medicine, I or mining in the mother country; that

two of these scholarships be open to competition every year under regulations to be framed by a Council of Education; and that the value of the scholarships shall not exceed £250 per annum. He pointed out that the cost for the first year would not exceed £SOO, and we gather from'other figures referred to that he intends the scholarships to be tenable for three years. On this supposition, the cost for six scholarships ought never to exceed £2OOO per aunuui, including the necessary remuneration to a Board of Examiners, and it Swill be admitted that this is a very moderate sum to pay for the great advantages which the colony may reasonably expect to gain. It will also be admitted that it is the duty of the General Assembly to maintain, by every means in its power, that high standard of education, of taste and intelligence, which are particularly required not only for the work of the Legislature, but for every branch of the public service. Besides, the tendency of the scholarships would undoubtedly be, to raise the character of the education throughout the colony, In every school, however humble, and more especially in our own province, where there are local exhibitions in connection with one of the superior schools, there would be the ieeling that some one of the pupils might, by industry, perseverance, and good conduct, win the inestimable benefit of a three years' visit to the great Beats of learning in the Old Country. The Superintendent of Otago moved an amendment to Mr Dillon Bell's resolution, to the effect that provision should be made for the foundation of fifteen scholarships, three to be open every year under regulations to be framed by a Council of Education; that each scholarship should be of the value of £IOO per annum; and that it be held in a University, or school of law, medicine, or mines, to be established in New Zealand. MrMacandrew informed the House that a University would be established in Otago before the expiration of twelve months. The people of that province, he further remarked, had no desire to make it a merely Provincial College; their object was to found a New Zealand University, and they would fix an endowment to the extent of £3500 a-year. Without the slightest desire to disparage the very laudable efforts of the people of Otago, with the most earnest hope that a New Zealand University will eventually be established, we think it is premature to attempt the foundation of such an institution. Not that we are opposed to gradual preparations being made. On the contrary, we think it would be wise to make such reserves in waste lauds as would ultimately provide a sufficient income for a really national University. In the meantime, most of the provinces have superior schools which they would do well to strengthen by every possible means. In Ota»o, Canterbury, and Nelson, at least, there are institutions which, if judiciously fostered, might eventually become Provincial Colleges. And these, when the time shall have arrived for a New Zealand University, might easily be affiliated on a principle which is" not unknown at home. The further consideration of Mr Dillon Bell's resolution and Mr Macandrew's amendment was postponed till the financial scheme of the Government is discussed. But, judging from the speeches which were made by several leading members,of the House, it is probable that theresolution in favour of scholarships to British Universities will be carried.