FRAUDS AT A UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5949, 20 March 1880, Page 5

FRAUDS AT A UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION.

(.From the Sydney JTornmg Herald, March 3.) The University authorities have discovered that a theft of some of the examination papers used at the civil service examination on Monday was lately perpetrated by a boy at the office of Messrs Gibbs, Shallard and Co., the printers, and that these got into the hands of two or three of the candidates, who were thereby enabled to pass satisfactorily. It appears that before the candidates separated suspicions were aroused by one of them stating, in the hearing of some one connected with the University, that he knew all the questions beforehand. The fact was at once communicated to the examiners, and as the candidates, some 60 in number, had not left, every one of them was questioned as to whether he knew anything of the papers beforehand. Some information was elicited, and with commendable promptitude the examiners of the University immediately pushed their inquiries further. As the result of their investigations, it has been ascertained that a youth in the civil service, who had passed on a previous occasion, said to one or two of the candidates to be examined that he knew where he could get them the papers containing the questions which they would have to answer. They, not being unwilling, accepted the assistance offered, and either ho or they obtained one or two copies, it is said, for a small sum of money from a boy who had been engaged assisting in the work of printing them. As showing the unfair, disposition that exists on the part of some candidates, we are informed that Mr Gibbs, a member of tho firm who printed the papers, and the overseer, had previously been offered bribes for these papers, and knowing the value of secrecy in the work of printing them, they were on their guard. Notwithstanding this, one of the boys managed to secure one or two Copies and dispose of them to the intending candidates, do far, we understand, the University examiners hare discovered that three of these wore aware of the questions, and they are still mating inquiries with a view to ascertain whether any others profited by the theft. Of course the examination of Monday will now go for nothing, and another will be hold forthwith. This will be inconvenient for those who have passed honestly, but it cannot well be dispensed with. As to the others who have made use of information obtained surreptitiously, no sympathy will bo felt for them; and if they are refused examination, at all events for a term, they will only receive their deserts. It is not improbable that as the result of this unfortunate occurrence an arrangement will be made by which the examinations will be conducted from written papers. There is some reason to fear that on one previous occasion an examination paper was obtained in an improper - manner by one of - the candidates for thq civil service examination.