NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7268, 5 March 1885, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

The Senate met at Government House yea* terday. Present:—The Chancellor (Dr. Hector, in the chair), Professor Sale, Rev. Dr. Roeeby, Professor Maogregor, Professor Shand, Professor Von Haast, Bishop Redwood, Dr. Giles, Rev. Dr. Salmond, Mr. Fitchett, Rev. J. Paterson, Professor P. D. Brown, and Rev. D. Brace. ELKCTIOX OF FELLOW. The Senate then proceeded to the election of a Fellow, in the room of the late Mr. Tanored.

Professor Macgbeqor said he had merely nominated Professor Tucker pro forma, in the absence of Sir Maurice O'Rorke. He would now ask leave to withdraw the nomination, in order to simplify the proceedings. Nomination withdrawn accordingly. The Senate then went into committee of the whole, and shortly afterward brought np a report, stating that Sir James Prendergast had a majority of the votes. Sir James Prenderga»t was then, on the motion of Bishop Redwood, seconded by , Professor Shand, formally elected a Fellow of the New Zealand University. CALKNDAK. Professor Salk moved, "That in future editions of the calendar in the statute 'of the degree of Bachelor of Arts' the two clauses of paragraphs (a) section I. subsections (1) and (2) be transposed." He moved the resolution because the present order was rather misleading to the examiners. Carried. 1 ghology. Professor Von Haast moved, "That the following scheme for the examinations in geology for the B. A. Degree and for Honours, be substituted fer the regulations now in force : —Geology, B.A. 1. Physical Geology : The texture and composition of the principal rocks and the characters of rock-forming minerals. The origin and classification of rocks; metamorphietn* and decomposition of rocks. Tbe physical structure of rock masses, and their position in the earth crust. Movements of the surface of the earth. Chronological classification of rocks. Origin of the surface features of the earth. 2. Either Mineralogy : Elementary crystallography, the physical and chemical properties of the principal minerals; or Palaeontology : The structure and chronological distribution of the classes of plants and animals found fossil. The characteristic fossils of the three geological eras. The generalizations of pa<seontology. Honours: I. Physical Geology : The causes of change in the crust of the earth, The geology of New Zealand and Australia, 2. Either Mineralogy—Crystallography.—The physical and chemical properties of all the commou minerals; or Paleontology.— A general acquaintance with th« characters and chronological distribution of organic remains. Practical Examination for B.A, : 1. The microscopical and microscopical texture of rocks and their specific gravity. 2. Either the examination of minerals by the blowpipe, or the determination of fossils.

Professor Von m aast said as to geology as it at present stood it was impossible for any student to prepare himself efficiently for it, as it covered such an enormous field. He had had students with him lot three years for four hours a week ; and when- the examinations came the result was unsatisfactory. From year to year the students increased, bat Che increase would be larger if there were not sruch difficulties. The greater portion of his students who took geology were schoolmasters. He found that in their teaching it was necessary for them to take geology, because every day questions were asked by the children, and the teachers were thus obliged to learn. They complained most bitterly of the present examinations. He bad considered the matter with several gentlemen who had a large knowledge of geology, and they had arranged the scheme which he now submitted. Professor Brown thought that further consideration of this subject should be deferred until the Senate dealt with' the whole question. He suggested that they could alter the examinations in B. A. so as to correspond with those in science. It waa resolved, on the motion of Professor Von Haast, " That the scheme now submitted be kept on the order paper, and be taken into - consideration with the other regulations for the degrees in science." DEGREES IN SCIENCE. The Senate went into committee for the consideration of a scheme for degrees in science. Progress was reported, and the Senate adjourned.