THE AUCKLAND CAPPING CEREMONY.
(Fkom Our Own Cobbkspondent.) Auckland, August 20. Higher education was at its best at the capping ceremony ab the University buildings yesterday. Fifty students took up a position at the back of the hall and began their diversions, accompanied by a cornet aud cornopean. They'sang to the tune of " Too-ral-00-ral," a song in which irreverent references to the professional dignities were not absent, aud followed with the first three verses of their '• Gaudcamus." At the very outset trouble began, students resuming their musical efforts with the object of completing the '' Gaudeamus," and eveu before a word was heard from the platform their voices, accompanied by the cornet, raug lustily from the back. Sir Maurice O'Rorke, chancellor, at once addressed the students, loudly aud authoritatively, as follows:— "Order! Those students will have to retire unless they keep order.—(Singing continued). I have come here to-day to endeavour to have this ceremony carried out with propriety, aud it will be my duty to retire unless the disturbance ceases. I call on those students who are disgracing themselves and acting in defiance of their college to desist. If they insist on making this disturbance I will have to suspend proceedings, and I shall be sorry to do so on account of the behaviour of those who have not the manliness to come forward here so that I may see their ringleaders. I am ashamed that on this occasion students should act in such a manner. I regret extremely that, when we have congregated to honour those students of this college who have distinguished thenuelves, there should be such conduct on the part of others beyond my control." At this point, when only one additional verse of "Gaudeamus" had bi'SQ given, the singing suddenly ceased. 'J'iio Chancellor (continuing) said he would now address himself to the ladies and gentlemen present. It was with some regret that he found the number of degrees ho had to present was so small. It was far from his intention to attach any blame in the matter to the council that managed the affairs of the college, or to the professorial board, still he might be licensed if he said that some apathy and indiiference was shown by the people of Auckland in the matter of inducing their sous and (laughters to avail themselves of the educational privileges at their command. There might be other considerations to take into account. He was aware the circumstances of the Auckland College were not 6uch as to enable it to offer the attractions offered in other places. They had no medical school as in Dunedin, nor an engineering school as in Canterbury. Both of these institutions had a school of law, and an effort had been made to have one in Auckland, but it fall into decay and withered away. They had, however, established a school of music, which he thought he was justified in saying had taken root in Auckland. Proceeding to speak of university education generally, he wished to say that he thought 11k.'. matriculation examination was too .«evw<; for the educational sUitus of the colony. Me was aware that it was the boast of tin; examiners that they rejected at least one-third of the candidates/which meant that a proportion of students were not allowed to take- advantage of the educational advantages opened by the university. It was pitiful to re.Huct that during the last tlnvo , years 300 students who had wished for the advantage of academic education had been denied that privilege. He also thought the standard of degree examination was pitched too high. Tim New Zealand degree standard was the same as that of the London University, which held the severest examinations of any similar institution in the old country. If tho nominations were not hard many more would Ik.' allowed to pmscctite their studies in the hujiu of wiiminj.' further distinction. .At a later stay.- of Mio promidings when the students enmineiicrd their snugs, the chancellor and professors left the hall, leaving the students masters of the situation. Sir Maurice expressed i-i-fj?-'■(■ that Ih'.' .students hud disgraced themselves as they had done.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 9512, 22 August 1892, Page 2
Word Count
688THE AUCKLAND CAPPING CEREMONY. Otago Daily Times, Issue 9512, 22 August 1892, Page 2
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