COMPULSORY WEARING OF GOWNS AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11999, 23 June 1902, Page 7

COMPULSORY WEARING OF GOWNS AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

TO THE EDITOR.

—1 am glad to learn from "Nos. 2 and 3" that the cost per gown is only £2, hot £3. as I stated, but perhaps this is a reduced rate for sisters. When I said " most undergraduates attend six lectures only, and many students only one," I hoped that collegians would see that the word "students" was used in its restricted sense (vide Calendar). Surely my critics did not seriously think I meant many undergraduates attend only bile lecture per week. It is true a motion in favour of the movement was passed by the Students' Association, but subsequent events do not altogether uphold it. A petition was drawn up in accordance with the motion, and after several days had been signed by alio'ut 25 persons. A protest against the proposal was drawn up, and in about 70 minutes over 30 persons, mostly undergraduates, had signed it. In view of these facts, "Nos. 2, and 3" seem to have got . hold of the wrong end of the stick when they assert that " most of th students wish it" (i.e., compulsory wearing of gowns); and ask, " Why should one 01 two stand out and prevent a general academical appearance at the college?"—I am, etc., , r , . . ' No. 1. June 19, 1902.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, Your correspondents of to-day, "Nos. 2 and 3,".seem to be misinformed on several points. They state that a gown costing £2 could be sold for almost that sum. Almost that Slim would mean about halfprice. No doubt these promoters of the college welfare would also insist on wearing gowns in laboratory classes, in order to give the college yet more of an " academic appearance. ' The, state of a gown after a session in the chemical laboratory would make it hard to find a purchaser. . Again, they distinctly state that "it is well known that at other colleges only undergraduates wear gowns. . . " At Otago University, the olflest college in the colony, not one of the undergraduates wear gowns ; but some of the graduates going for honours do wear them. Thus if your correspondents include the Otago University in " other colleges," they seem to have fallen into error. At the meeting of the Students' Association referred to there were not half the male students present. Again, they ask, " Why should one or ' two stand out?'.'. In a counterpetition drawn up against the compulsory wearing of gowns there were more than 40 signatures. These 40 odd students evidently constitute the " one or two - ' of your correspondents. If the promoters of the gown scheme wish tc wear gowns, by all means let them do so, but it is hardly fair to try and force the majority of the students to keep them company against their will.— am, etc., ~ No. 4. June 19, 1902.