NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7273, 11 March 1885, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Tee Senate met at Government House yesterday. Present -.—The Chancellor (Dr. Hector), Bir G. M. O'Rorke, Bishop Cowie, Professor Sale, Dr. Giles, Professor Von Haaat, Mr. Fitchett,' Professor Macgregor, Professor Shand, Professor F. D. "Brown," Rev. Dr. Salmond, Rev. W. J. Habens, Rev. J. Paterson.■ '• •'•■-■■: '. ■ ELECTION OP FELLOW. The Senate proceeded to the election of a Fellow in the place of the Rev. Charles Fraser, resigned. Professor Sals proposed Professor Cook, Canterbury College. Sir G. M. O'Ro&xk proposed Professor Tucker. The Senate resolved itself into committee to consider the matter. The committee subsequently brought up a report, stating that the majority of votes were for Professor Cook. Professor Cook was then formally elected. BOWEN PRIZR. Bishop Cowie brought up the report of the examiners on the essays for the Bowen prize. He said the examiners were not struck with the brilliancy of the essays, but on the whole the writer of the essay marked " Omega " merited the prize. i Sir G. M. O'Kobke moved " That the prize be awarded in accordance with the report." The report of the committee was adopted. Sir CM. O'Rorke said another was favourably considered, viz.,'" Duru Spero." No recommendation had been made that the prize be divided, but he thought it was not out of place to say that whoever "Dam Spiro, Spero" was ran very closely for the prize. The sealed letter marked " Omega" was opened, and it was found that the writer was Margaret Lorimer, Canterbury College. On the motion of Sir G. M. O'Robke, the other members of the committee concurring, it was agreed to enter on the calendar the writer of '• Dum Spiro, Spero" as proxime accessit. The writer of " Dam Spiro, jpero" was found to be A. R. Meek, Canterbury College. The subject of the essay was, " Comparative and Historical Review of the Constitutional Relations of the British Colonies." The prize is open to all matriculated students of the University who shall not have taken their degree. The examiners are the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, and one other person to be appointed .by the Senate of the University in each year. The subject is appointed by the examiners. The subject must be connected with, or shall bear reference to, British history, or the history, institutions, or destinies of the British colonies, or any of them. TEACHKBS AT UNIVEBSITT EXAMINATIONS. A letter was received from the Education Department with reference to the admission of teachers to examinations under the University, with the view of satisfying the department as to their literary qualification for classes A and B in the same manner as they are now admitted to the equivalent examinations for classes C and 1). The Recess Committee recommended that the request be complied with, but that the passing of such examination should not carry any University status, and that a specific announcement thereof be inserted in the calendar. Rev. Mr. Habens spoke in support of the request, and pointed out that if it were not granted the departm ant would be put to a large and, as it appeared to him, unnecessary expense through having a separate set of examination papers. He added, however, that it was very much his desire that teachers should go through the University coarse, . and the department had done their utmost to induce teachers to do this. He believed that the most ambitious and capable of the young teachers would see the advantage of going through the University course. The Rev. Mr. Habens said it was intended to include the word "scientific" as well as "literary" in the letter of the department. In the discussion which ensued, very strong opposition was shown to the motion, and it was ultimately agreed to adjourn the further consideration of the subject till next day. AFFILIATE*) institutions. The Senate then considered the following report of the Committee on Reports of Affiliated Institutions , . the reports of the On 30 Oniveriitv, the Canterbury College; and the Auckland University College show that these Institutions hive complied with the regulations of the University. At Kishopdale C liege, Kelson, Latin, Greek, mathematics and natural science are'taught, but no provision is made for any fifth subject. ' Examinations hare be n held weekly, and it is not clear whether any proper annual examination was held. At St. John's College, Auckland, lectures hare been given, examinations held, and the students classified in the four subjects of Latin, Greek, mathematics,.ana. English. An attempt has been mads to evade the demands of the Senate by sending students to some unspecified lectures at the University College ;,tte committee are of opinion that no Institution should be allowed to make up its own deficiencies by taking advantage of the proximity of another affiliated institution. At Nelson College adequate provision seems to have been made for Laila, Greek,- and mathematics; chemistry is said to be taught by work in the laboratory, but no mention Is made of regular lectures on the subject. All other subjects are provided for, "generally by directing the reading of the students and testing their diligence and intelligence by questions, both oral and on paper, and also by essays." It is the belief of the committee that none of the three last mentioned institutions carry out the spirit of the University Regulations. Professor Macgregob moved, " That St. John's College, Auckland, be no longer affiliated to the University." Bishop Cowie said this college might during the .next year be removed from its present position, in which case he would not ask that it remain affiliated ; but he would ask in the meantime—while the College was in its present transition state—that it be not disaffiliated. Professor Macgregor said it appeared to him from what the reports disclosed that the Senate could not in honesty put up with the present state of affairs any longer. He asked if there was any prospect of the College being in a condition to comply with the regulations ? Bishop Cowie said there was every prospect of their having very greatly increased funds. Sir Maurice O'Robke moved that the debate be adjourned, with the view of postponing the question till next session. The Rev. D. Bruce, while of opinion that the College was not fulfilling the cpnditions, would be quite prepared to support the adjournment, Professor Brown thought ' abuse might creep in by students attending lectures at one institution and going to the other, where, perhaps, the examinations might be easier. He did not object to a healthy rivalry, but the abuse referred to above might occur. Mr. Fitchett thought that all students would prefer the examination papers set by Professors under whom they had studied. Professor Shand, Rev. Dr. Salmond, and Professor Von Haast, supported the report of the committee. The amendment was carried by 10 to 5. On the motion of Professor Macgregor, Bishopdale College, Nelson, was disaffiliated. No action was taken in regard to Nelson College. ~•,-.. ;. MEDICAL PRELIMINARY. Professor Macgregor brought up the following report of the committee on Dr. Scott's letter :— . A .„ v "hat it is desirable .that medical students, afUr entering on th'Bir professional studies, should not ba distracted by having to p ss'ih' any subject which can bo got rid of at the mod cal preliminary. Your committee accordingly recommend that all the subjects of this examination be made compulsory, with the exception of physics 1 which is proposed to be added) mid bio'ogy, both of which may still remain optional so far as registration is concerned It appears that to insist, as the statute st present does, on medical students patting the B.A. stai d-rd in the optional subjects, makes it unnecessarily hard for students who propose to go up for the Mew Zealand Degree, and prevents many from doing so. Especially it is urged is this the case when we consider that we demand so much more than is requird by the British Medical Council. That with regard to biology there is a very serious difficulty. O. the one hand it is exceedingly desirable that, if possible, the same examination be made to serve both for the B.A. and for the medical preliminary examination ; while on the other hand it is necessary that for medical students biology should include a knowledge both of zoology and botany. How to meet this difficulty raises the question of the definition of biology, which the Senate is about to consider generally. The teachers of the Otago Medical School point out the necessity .which exists that this University should take action, in concert with other colonial Universities, to remove the barriers which exist and prevent colonial graduates in medicine from admission to the medical service of the army, navy, and the mercantile maiine. After some discussion it was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Fitohett, "That the further consideration of the report be deferred to next session," with the exception of the following clause, whioh was agreed to :— " That this University should take action, in concert with other colonial Universities, to remove the barriers which exist, and prevent colonial graduates in medicine from admission to the medical service of the army, navy, and the mercantile marine." thanks to THE GOVERNOR. Professor Sale gave notice to move next day, "That the thanks of the Senate be given to His Excellency the Governor for his courtesy in allowing the Senate the use of Government House,"

BPEOIAL MEETI>G OF SENATE. Professor Balr gave notice to move, "That the Chancellor be authorised to call a special meeting of the Senate to consider the reports of the examiners, the meeting to be held in Wellington as soon as convenient after the examiners' reports are received."