FIRST WOMAN GRADUATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20922, 11 July 1931, Page 12

FIRST WOMAN GRADUATE.

PIONEER AUCKLAND STUDENT FIFTY-FOUR YEARS AGO. The sweeping advance made in women's education, during the past half century and the enlightened part'that New.Zealand played in the advance are recalled by an interesting, anniversary that, falls to-day. On July 11, 1877, in the Choral Hall there was conferred on Miss Kate Millignn Edger the degree of Bachelor of Arts of the University of New Zealand, the first degree to be granted to a ivoman by any university of the British Empire. Thcfimportance of the occasion was fully realised at the time, and the hall was crowded, tho gathering including most of the influential citizens.

Speeches in praise of Miss Edger's achievement were made hv Mr. H. H. Lusk, M.H.R.; Bishop Cowie and tho Rev. David Bruce. Tho chairman, Mr. Lusk, who conferred tho degree, drew attention to tho special difficulties _ Miss Edger had had to face in her studies in Auckland, stating that she had "received her academical instruction in a building which is simply a disused military hut, the floor of which is not quite safo to tread on, tho roof of which is open to tho sky, and, which, as a residence would be simply \uninhabitable." Tho high standard of the New Zealand University degree was stressed by the speakers, Ml". Bruce describing it as "now the highest in the world for admission to tho B.A. degree." Miss Edger, who had been a pupil of tho Auckland Grammar School, matriculated in 1874, and was awarded a inathe--matical scholarship. In tho following year she obtained two scholarships, one in natural science and ono in chemistry, and in May, 1876, she obtained a senior scholarship of tho value oi' £6O. After receiving her degree Miss Edger accepted a position as assistant teacher at the Christchurch Girls' High School, at a salary of £3OO.