AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1424, 15 June 1899, Page 41

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY.

THE CAPPING CEREMONIES. SIR JAS. HECTOR'S IMPORTANT ALLUSION. LORD RANFURLY ON THE WANT OF COLLEGE LIFE. r _ l , AUCKLAND, Thursday. The "cappingceremony took place at the Auckland University buildings this afternoon. There was a large attendance, including the professors and. a large number of graduates. Sir James Hector, in his speech, stated that the opening of a coilege in Wellington might lead to important changes in connection with the New Zealand University, probably on the lines recommended by the Commission of' Higher Education in 1898, namely, that as soon as there were four colleges in the colony the colleges should become absolutely part and parcel of the University. He considered it would be a great economy if the professors of the colony were combined in one professorial board, and had control of examinations. He spoke highly of the progress of the Auckland University College. The Chancellor then presented the diplomas to the recipients present. There were three masters of arts, three • and three bachelors of science.

Professor Thomas and the Primate delivered addresses, after which his Excellency the Governor said a few words. Lord Kanfurly said the great difficulties ot the university system in New Zealand was the want of college life. He hoped it would be remedied liefore many years had passed away, and concluded by congratulating the successful recipients. The proceedings were concluded by the singing by the students of "Gaudeamus” and the National Anthem. Everything passed off most decorously. The students reserved their topical songs tor a conversazione on Saturday evening.